My Gaijin Experience

After four months in Japan, I feel alive. It has been the most incredible experience of my life. Although I came here with no clue of what to expect, I thought I'd share the stuff that has really surprised me about the nation so far.

#1. Televisions in cars.

Yes, I literally have seen people driving vehicles while staring at TV screens (located in the center of the two front seats). "How can that be legal?" was my first question, followed by "How is that person able to control the vehicle?". My curiosity spurred some research and I discovered that although some cars are automated, most are not and people literally watch reality TV while they are driving.

#2. Car Vending Machines.

No need to find a parking spot, just pull into the machine, get out, and it will lift your car up like a bag of chips, securely storing it until you return. This style of parking garage has recently been introduced in the U.S, but in Japanese cities, it seems like they are on every other street corner.

#3. Paying bills at convenient stores.

Need to pay your health insurance? Go to the convenient store. Electric bill? Go to the convenient store. WiFi? Pay at the convenient store. This is the equivalent of going to a 7/11 to pay your monthly expenses. I don't think I'll ever get used to paying for dental insurance and potato chips in the same transaction.

#4. Affordability

I knew that it was going to be cheaper than the States but I didn't expect to spend 500 yen (about $5) for a three-course meal at a restaurant. Insurance, groceries, and rent are beyond reasonable, especially in smaller towns. This aspect of Japan is what I hope the United States achieves one day, a relief from financial stress. I'm not sure if or when the U.S.A can achieve this, but I do know that voting for Andrew Yang will immensely help.

Consider me a member of #YangGang2020.

J.S

Comments

Small World

Moving to Japan hits you in stages. I think I'm past the initial "culture shock" stage and have moved into the “gratitude” stage. I'm fully aware that I've moved across the world and stick out like a sore thumb, but at the same time I know that this place has everything I could possibly need. I’m aiming for consistent daily growth. Japan is the ideal country to spend my 24th year. It sort of feels like a bubble, though. The people here are disciplined and seem to have this killer instinct to protect the countries pureness. Almost like they know that the rest of the world is toxic. What has been the most unbelievable to witness are the universal similarities between the people of our world. We all eat, sleep, and have our inner thoughts. It's terrifyingly beautiful how similar we are. Children are explorers. All kids bask in their wandering minds. Everyone has emotional struggle and success, it’s just a matter of which wave you’re currently riding. The...

Take Your Time

I arrived at the bottom of Mt. Fuji at 7am. Before starting, a man said that I had 12 hours to complete the trail, in order to catch the final bus home for the night. Otherwise, I would have to sleep on the mountain. I thought 12 hours was a sufficient amount of time, but it caused me to rush at first. After a half-hour, I was exhausted and contemplated quitting. The ground felt like sinking rocks the size of tennis balls. The trail was steep. What should I do? I asked myself. Go back down? Rest? Go only half-way up? Then it occurred to me, go slowly. A motto for life, perhaps. Life may feel fast, but if one takes their time, slowly and steadily, they can enjoy it more. Moving forward, the next 4 hours consisted of a slow ascent up the mountain. I was literally stepping about 6 inches at a time. This allowed me to keep my breath, something I lost at the beginning. Eventually, I found myself at the 8th station, the final stop before the summit. It was 1pm. 6 hours befo...

How Music Helps English Learners.

During my first six month s as a Native English Teacher, I've made a conscious effort to create musical class activities. I've been crafting lesson plans that incorporate music as a language learning tool. Here is a list of English topics that are teachable through music. Not all of my ideas have worked so far, but these most definitely have. Emotions It was a special day when I implemented this with my Kindergarten class. First, I instructed each student to draw 5 different facial expressions on paper circle cutouts (happy, sad, angry, excited, and calm). I then played 5 different excerpts on my viola and had the students hold up a paper face after each excerpt. They were matching a facial expression with the music they heard. The results were incredible. Nearly all 14 kids (with the exception of a few pranksters) agreed that the Israeli National Anthem was sad, Twinkle Twinkle Little Star was happy, the Allegro from the Telemann Viola Concerto was exciting, Amazi...

jakeinbalance

Search This Blog