Japan is a beautiful country with the most collectivistic and connected community I've ever seen. I loved the culture and how coworkers would travel together during lunch time to fill up a local restaurant and engage in conversations with each other. The children treat their elders with the upmost respect, being careful to bow, not speak up, and say "itadakimasu" (thanks for the meal) before each meal. Convenience store meals are also a popular option for those who may not have time for a full sit down meal and these "bentos" (filled lunch boxes) even come heated. I saw coworkers buying a set of bentos most likely for other coworkers, and the store owner interacted with everyone as though their customers are family members; asking about their days, if they're busy, and if they need any help. While I passed by a few schools in Japan, I never actually sat in on the lessons and would love to see how this largely connected culture plays a role in the schooling system.
I did get a rare chance to observe a preschool on vacation in Disney World in Tokyo. Unlike North America's Disney World, where there is a heavy emphasis on the thrill of the rides, the Japanese turned their Disney World into one of wonder and exploration by decorating their line ups with things to read, things to explore, and things to be wowed by. The actual ride itself consisted of a tour around the habitat or houses of many of the Disney characters and the teachers let no chance wasted when they turned their children's fascination into learning opportunities. If I could turn my classroom into a Disney World experience, I would ensure the education factor is 100% embedded as well. However, these lavish excursions and the restaurant adventures that employees partake in on a regular basis, cannot be realistically applied to every other culture. The Japanese have one of the highest GDPs in the world allowing watermelons which sell for $90 CAD to be bought fairly regularly. This economic disparity is highly contrastable and perhaps outright frowned upon by other societies who may deem this behaviour as wasteful. The more I am exposed to these cultural differences, the more I am in tune with my own behaviour and bias thus allowing me to adjust my behaviour and think twice before speaking or presenting information on a certain topic. As an educator, I would like my students to become globally aware but also know that each culture is different which suit its different needs. 2 teach is 2 learn 4ever after all, and I am just at the beginning of my learnings.
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AuthorKon'nichiwa! Yeoboseyo! Ni Hao! Thanks for taking the time to read about my journey. I hope you can take something from my experiences and share yours in return. Don't be shy! ArchivesCategories |