Simplicity is the Key to Communication

Study Abroad Experience

―― Aidan, could you tell us what led you to become an exchange student and later decide to transfer?

Aidan
Since middle school, I knew I wanted to study abroad somewhere, even though I wasn’t sure where. When I got to college, I wanted to challenge myself by going somewhere none of my university classmates were going. At the time, I had a half-Japanese, half-American friend whose mother would serve us Japanese food and teach us about Japanese TV shows, movies, and culture. That experience, combined with the fact that Japanese is considered a difficult language to master, made me want to take on the challenge, and I decided to study in Japan. During my exchange, I realized that studying abroad was more enjoyable than studying in my home country. When I heard there was a chance to transfer as a regular student from the third year, I thought opportunities to study abroad for several years don’t come often, so I seized the chance right before me. With help from various people, I was able to successfully transfer.

Chihiro
I knew you had gone from being an exchange student to a regular student, but I didn’t know that was the background… Respect!

How they communicate

―― How did you two become friends?

Chihiro
We first met at lunch, right? There was a time when I helped teach Japanese to Aidan, who was preparing for the Japanese Language Proficiency Test. After that, we met at the International Lounge and naturally became friends. Now we hang out often. We’ve gone on a trip to Hakone with other friends, and we’re planning to watch a rugby match together.

Aidan
We’re both Yokohama BayStars fans, and we watched the whole series until they won the championship together. Those are really good memories. The Japanese-Language Proficiency Test has sections on grammar, vocabulary, and listening, and it’s definitely challenging. Chihiro is a good Japanese teacher.

Chihiro
Aidan actively uses difficult Japanese phrases to communicate. He’ll say things like “messō mo arimasen” [“not in the least”] to restaurant staff. [laughs] I’m the type who actively engages in communication too, so Aidan is also a good English teacher for me.

Aidan
Before coming to Japan, I had an image of Japanese people being a bit shy. I wondered if it might be rude or strange to talk to strangers in Japan. But after coming here, making friends was easier than I imagined. Just by calling out to people on campus or talking to people on the bus, I made many friends. I think that helped improve my Japanese. There’s an Instagram account that collects interesting Japanese phrases, and I learn new Japanese from it and use them confidently. That’s where I learned the phrase “messō mo arimasen.” [laughs]

Learning in the Faculty of International Studies

―― How do you feel about studying in the Department of International Studies and Global and Transcultural Studies?

Aidan
I think many people here have a global perspective. They think not only about their own countries but also about how their countries influence the world. We’ve had many discussions about America’s relationships with Japan and other countries, and they’ve been very interesting and deep.

Chihiro
I feel the same way. However, for better or worse, there are many people who still maintain their “Japanese” aspects, and being first-year students, some tend to stick to speaking only with other Japanese. I’d like to see more communication happening.

Aidan
I think the most interesting class was “Japanese Society.” [Chihiro: Right?!] It’s a class where we watch Japanese films to learn about Japanese education, society, and their background, and then have discussions in pairs of Japanese and international students. We watched films like Spirited Away, The Girl Who Leapt Through Time, and Death Note, and that helped me learn everyday conversational Japanese, beyond what I learn in textbooks.

Chihiro
It’s a great opportunity for international students to learn Japanese and for Japanese students to learn English. Maybe it’s easier to get close to others because we have to look for hidden meanings in the works, analyze them, and share our opinions. It was interesting how pairs changed every time, and we had to complete worksheets with our partners.

Current Passions

―― What are you passionate about right now?

Aidan
Actively connecting with people. We’ll all eventually enter society and work, right? Even if we connect in different ways, we’ll be working in the same world. There might suddenly be an opportunity to work together someday. That’s why building networks is important, and that’s what I was taught in American schools too.

Chihiro
I feel largely the same as Aidan. I know I’ll definitely work in society in the future, and I want to be someone who can connect people with each other. Like being able to say, “I know someone who can do that.” I think that kind of workstyle is cool. However, there are people who are afraid to talk to others, whether they’re Japanese or foreign.

Aidan
I think connecting with people is actually simple and easy. After all, I was able to do it when I had only studied Japanese for a few months. When talking with Japanese people, I would tell them “Please speak in Japanese as much as possible,” and at first, I communicated by mixing simple Japanese like “ii ne!” [“that’s great!”] with English. I don’t think it’s that difficult. Once you gather the courage to try, I think it gets easier the more you do it.

Chihiro
In daily life, talking with foreigners might feel unusual for Japanese people. But I think it’s natural to feel some discomfort in communication because everyone has different values, and all you need is the courage to take that first step. I also think international students are all waiting for someone to talk to them. In that context, I want to be the type who initiates conversation.

What They Value Now and Want to Value in the Future

―― How do you think about your future?

Aidan
Coming to Meigaku has made me newly appreciate the importance of connections between people. I’ve been able to actively participate in school events and have been blessed with very good opportunities. After experiencing exchange study and transferring, I believe I have options and can expand them further. I believe in that, and for that reason, I try to always maintain an open mind.

Chihiro
For me too, having opportunities to meet international students is very exciting. It’s interesting to learn about what’s “normal” in different countries, and I can feel myself growing as I learn these things. In the future, I want to keep valuing my ability to connect with people easily, maintain my mobility, and, like Aidan, live enjoyably with an open mind.