Heritage Learners

If you are of Japanese descent, studying in Japan may be the realization of a long held desire to learn more about your own heritage and roots.  It is a wonderful opportunity to experience first-hand the country that you’ve heard and read so much about and, of course, to improve your language skills.  It may also be an important phase in developing your understanding of yourself.  At the same time, some former students felt they were psychologically unprepared for the challenges to their self-identity that they met in Japan. There is often a feeling of being “caught between two worlds.”

You may be surprised by the assumption made by classmates, locals and even some teachers, that, since you are Japanese-American, you should speak the language well. When off campus with your classmates, some locals may mistake you as their official interpreter.  Or they may tell you how poor your language skills are while your non-Japanese peers are complimented for being able to say just “ohayoo gozaimasu”!  While being of Japanese descent will help you blend in and avoid the stares that your other classmates may regularly encounter, at other times you may be envious of the “novelty” treatment your fellow classmates receive—everything from photo requests to spontaneous invitations home for a meal.  There may be times when you encounter discrimination.  The vast majority of the time, however, people will simply be curious about your upbringing and eager to hear about your experiences in the U.S. as a Japanese-American.  Many Japanese citizens will be pleased to learn that you have “returned” to study the language.