Cultures differ in teaching tactics

Sunday, February 7, 2010 - 10:43 PM

Seiko Kamikariya

I saw fewer students in the library in the first three weeks of this semester than in the first few weeks of last semester. They might still be on vacation. I know I am.

I went back to Japan during the whole break, and it was not easy to come back and readjust myself to life in America. Once a year, I feel the need to go back home, despite having to pack myself into a small economy seat for about 10 hours.

Although it has been 18 months since I came here, I still can’t find my place. Like many immigrants, I tend to get together with other students of my nationality, but I can’t find my place outside of that circle. It’s sometimes lonely to be the only minority in the class.

The beginning of every semester is like the first semester of freshman year for me. I still have to deal with differences between education in the United States and Japan.

Overall, America focuses on individualism and Japan focuses on collectivism. This fundamental difference brings about many clashes between American and Japanese culture.

In the U.S., teachers respect the imagination of each student. Therefore, it seems students speak their mind in class, which allows discussions between teachers and students. In Japan, because it is regarded as important to cooperate as a group, students sit quietly and listen to teachers. It’s quite unusual to have a discussion in class.

Eighteen years of education in Japan certainly have influenced me and participating in classes brings me difficulties.

Japanese people like to act in harmony. They wait to speak up until other people finish explaining their opinions. They even wait their turns in a discussion like they wait in line for a train. When I was instructed to have a discussion in a small group in class on the first day of this semester, I could barely utter one sentence. I couldn’t break in among the strong self-assertion of the American students. All I could do was chime in with other students to show that I was participating.

I have heard that since America is the country of independence, there are huge differences between individuals. I interpret this to mean that you are highly valued if you try hard. Although it is not a piece of cake to fit in in a different culture, I believe this country and people give me a place. If I try to make something different by myself, I can do it. Now I just need the courage to stop waiting in line for a train.

Seiko Kamikariya is from Japan and studies marketing. She enjoys drinking beer and eating pizza, not sushi, in the United States. Reach her at perspectives@nevadasagebrush.com.