Reverse Culture Shock

By Kanna

Not only good aspects but also there are bad aspects in both of countries, United States and Japan. I came back to Japan two days ago and I still have jet lag right now, and I actually haven’t felt any culture shock yet, but I have an opinion that differences between Japan and America. Today, I would like to talk about two point that I respect to the United States. First of all, American people have strong opinion and they can share it into words to other people. I really respect this, and I want to learn from it, but it is very difficult in Japan because Japanese people feel ashamed to share themselves opinion to someone and would not like to stand out, so they prefer to majority and they hate minority. It is very bad point of Japanese people including me. Second, students in the United States are more talk about world issues such as gender problems, politic problems, and environmental problems than Japanese students. Japanese youth tend to would not like to talk about these things, especially in front of friends. They think talking these problems is boring and, if someone talk these things, they probably think what a show-off, and everyone really afraid this. They always talk about their hobbies, TV programs, and entertainments. I am interested in problems what happens in the world and I want to talk with friends and listen other opinions. I think it is very important to have a ourselves opinion and to learn from other opinions, and it makes us more good person who is independent. In conclusion, I prefer that people in the United States have strong opinion and they talk severe problems more than Japanese. I want to be a person to cherish my opinions and values individuality like American people.

Reverse Culture Shock

By Sayaka

After returning to Japan, I felt some reverse culture shocks.

There are three things. First, I felt Japanese food is little taste because I ate strong taste food everyday when I was in America, for example, hamburger and pizza. I got used to strong taste of American food, and I like it, so I feel it is missing something for Japanese food. Second, I felt culture shocks to take a bath between America and Japan. When I was in America, I couldn’t soak in the bathtub, because there is no culture of soaking in the bathtub in America, and  I heard that it is normal for American people just take a shower. Also, Japanese usually soak in the bathtub, because Japan is the country with very rich water resources. I took a bath in fifteen minutes everyday when I was in America, but after returning to Japan, I have a good long soak in the bath everyday. Third, I felt my lifestyle in Japan little changed by American life. Before I go to study abroad, I got up at eight every day, but I was in America, I got up at six everyday, because the time class start was earlier than Japan. I got used to get up early in America, so I still get up early in Japan . For these things, I found some reverse culture shocks after returning to Japan, and I felt my lifestyle little changed by the American life.

Reverse Culture Shock

When I returned to Japan, I felt two differences between America and Japan.  First, I felt Americans are friendlier than Japanese.  When I took a bus in Spokane, some Americans talked to me even though we didn’t know each other.  They often talked to me at restaurants, bus stop, department, on the street and so on.  At the first, I was surprised and afraid of them because I didn’t be good at speaking English and they were stranger, but I was getting used to it and I was happy to be talked by them.  After I came back to Japan, I felt Japanese is very shy and a little bit of cold for stranger.  It’s Japanese character, but I had felt lonely for them.  Second, I realized that Japan is cleaner than America.  In especially, Japanese toilet is the best cleanest.  I usually saw trash on the road and dirty shops in the America, but nobody cleaned them.  I was surprised at them because I have an opportunity to clear them if it happens to Japan, for example, my town has an event called clean campaign once a month.  I look like they’re care about them, but it’s also American character.  In short, Japan and America have many other differences, but we should understand and accept them each other because every difference have to respect in the world.

JAPAN AND AMERICA

Reverse Culture Shock

By Maiya
On March 24, I left MFWI at 4:30.  I felt 2 things that differences between Japan and the United States when I arrived in Japan.  First, Japanese food is healthy and fresh.  About a month and a half, I lived in the United States.  American food was very good.  I ate french fries, chicken, sausages, and so on every day.  I was happy, but my body hated them.  It was made a lot of pimples on my forehead and chin,  and I gained weight.  When I arrived at Haneda airport, I found a Udon restaurant.  I and my friends went to the restaurant, and ate Udon.  It has weak taste, but very very good.  I was proud of Japanese food culture.  I thought that we should eat a healthier and fresher than greasier food for our body.  Second, Americans have friendliness and kindness.  Of course, Japanese people are kind.  However, Americans are kind and talk to someone all times.  This studying abroad was my first oversea, so I learned about Americans personally directly for the first time.  When I went to the store, the clerk and I started talking and we were fun.  In Japan, the clerks say "Ilasshai- mase" every times, but customers start shopping without saying anything.  I think this is one of the not good parts of Japanese culture.  In short, these are the difference of the 2 cultures.

Maiya Suzuki

Writing12

04/07/2020

Returning to Japan

On March 24, I left MFWI at 4:30. I felt 2 things that differences between Japan and the United

States. When I arrived in Japan, I felt them Clearly. First, Japanese food is healthy and fresh.

About a month and a half, I lived in the United States. American food was very good. I ate

french fries, chic

Reverce Culture Shock

      There were some culture shock when I came back to Japan. First, the cause of that is junk food.  I wanted to eat junk food. When I was in America, I ate strong taste food. For example, I ate hamburger, chicken, pizza, and so on everyday. Japanese food is lighter taste than American food, so I missed American food. I bought a orange sauce of panda express. I sometimes cook  with it,  I miss the taste of American food. It is very delicious. It was good to buy it. Second, that is jet lag. I had difficulty suffering from jet lag. There is a time difference of  sixteen hours between Japan and America. I couldn’t get up in the morning, and I often took a nap. Besides, I was hungry at strange time. It was tough to keep regular hours for several weeks. Third, that is Coronavirus. I want to meet my friends, RA, and teacher. I can’t meet them, because I came back to Japan, and I was isolated at my home. I miss them. I want to talk with and play with. I was very sad. However, I'm glad that I can talk with them using Zoom. I hope the infection of a coronavirus will not spread, and I want to see them. For these things, I want to study abroad again, and I want to eat them or see them!

Reverse Culture Shock

Today is one week later from I came back to Japan. I'm very sad and regret for a few reasons. First, this study abroad is my first experience to go to overseas, so I wanted to stay America more, and have a lot of special experience. I wanted to spend more time with my group, RA, friends, and MFWI teachers. Now, I’m isolating from my family in my house for two weeks, and I can’t go out, so I can’t believe I’m in Japan yet. Second when I arrived Japan, I heard a lot of Japanese and see a lot of Japanese letter. I was glad, but I was sad. I thought “I came back here finally…”. I miss my friend, RA, MFWI teachers, America, but my RA and teachers keep contact with me, so I’m happy and I can feel America and I can learn new words, expressions, and culture. When I came back to Japan, I ate rice, miso-soup, and natto. I didn’t eat natto in America, so I was glad. I felt difference between America and Japan. When I sneeze, people say “Bless you” in America, but in Japan, people nothing to say. Signs are all Japanese. Almost people speaking Japanese, so I miss English. I felt character difference between Japanese and American, too. I think Americans have confidence in oneself more than Japanese. It is one of good point of Americans, so I respect them. I came back here about two months earlier than first plan, so I think I can’t accept this reality more. I want to go back to America soon, but I can’t now, so I will go America in the future:)

Reverse Culture Shock

     Culture shock can learn about differences between countries. I felt culture shock when I was in United States. First, I was surprised at American people spoke to us friendly. For example, when I got off the bus, the driver said to me with smile over the mirror"Have a nice day!". I was happy because I have never been said that in Japan. Also,when I watched the ice hockey game, I was spoken to a stadium officials. He said to me"Are you having fun?" and "Thank you for coming!". I thought that almost of American people are friendly. In Japan, most people don't speak to people unless job. Japanese people are cool compare with American peopple. Japanese peopple don't like to be speak to clarks in the shop because we are quiet and we want to take distance to them, but almost of American people are close between ckarks and customers. Second, working people in America looked fun. For example, when I went to cafe, clarks were talking with colleagues and cooking their own pace, I was jealous that everyone worked happily. In Japan, I have to provide food for customers as soon as possible, so I always have to rush. I don't think that my part time job is fun, but American people look enjoy working their job. To sum up, I felt two difference; friendly and job between America and Japan.