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My biggest problem is leaving

Having lived in France and Italy as a university student I had already experienced how it can be difficult trying to become assimilated into a foreign society. However, speaking both languages certainly helped me. It was a whole different ball game when I decided to come and work in Japan in August 2001 as an assistant English teacher, never having studied the language before. I live in a rural town and though English is studied by most here as a second language at school, the Japanese generally hesitate to use it. I felt very isolated at work, as I couldn't read any of the information given to me, or the timetables or even the students' name badges. Basic communication was limited and my only topic of conversation seemed to revolve around the phrase 'how are you?' TV, radio and the help of my colleagues, students and neighbours, who corrected me when I attempted to use the little Japanese I could remember, however badly, has led to me being able to converse in Japanese on a daily basis.I have made real efforts to study and was thrilled to pass the language proficiency test level 3 this year! My job terms don't stipulate the need to learn Japanese, but I have found so much more pleasure from understanding the chitchat of my students and teachers, as well as realising what special offers I used to miss out on when shopping! It is so different to the UK culturally that many people would not think about it as a holiday destination, let alone set up home here. Especially as the language is so daunting to us Westerners. However, I cannot recommend the country and its people highly enough. All my family and friends who have visited have been very impressed. There always seem to be people willing to help you and most signs are written in the romanized alphabet as well as Japanese.There is so much on offer from skiing in Winter, cherry blossom viewing in Spring, surfing and scuba diving in Summer and observing the wonderful Autumnal leaves. Now my biggest problem is leaving!

Sent by: Carly

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