Post date: May 16, 2014 7:11:42 AM
I have interviewed to two friends who are the returnees. They both have lived in the United State of America. And they both were going to the local public school and also to the part-time Japanese schools (Hoshuko) once a week when they were in America.
I asked them their feeling of the time that they moved to the abroad, to America, and also the feeling of the time they came back to Japan. Both of them taught me that they had confused with the English use themselves and using by the people surrounded them at in there at first. Also both were surprised about cultural difference such as the difference of the people’s looks and the attitude with Japanese people too. One said that particularly the diverse of skin coulours difference and bigger body frame were the surprised points. And another said that for shy kid, it was very hard to adapt in the American culture class. In next part, I have asked them what did they feel when they came back to Japan. I was surprised that both said they were looking forward to go back to Japan (even they overcame their troubles and hard time, and they were enjoying their days in America). It was because the images of Japan for them were very good. The image of Japan was come from their returning to home country (Japan) for temporary visit. But actually, when they came back to Japan, they feel confused again. It was because they had grown up with American culture and environment. So they had troubles with the foods and the trends such as slang words and TV talents. For studying part, for them, it was hard to catch up Science class and Society class with others. It was because that they were going to the part-time Japanese schools when they were in America, but the subjects were focused on Japanese and Math mainly.
For next point, I have asked them about the advantages and disadvantages from the view of them as the returnees themselves. They said it was good to have higher English skills, to know the different and diverse culture, especially in young time, and to have positive attitude for them. Also these new idea and experiences of them gave them the adapting skills. It means that to know these many different cultures and to be got into this very new environment suddenly made them tougher and be able to accept various ideas. On the other hand, they have actual feeling about the disadvantages of being the returnees not only the advantages. Many usual Japanese people tend to have envious feeling for the returnees. But one returnee told me that to be said that it is annoying. It is because, that returnee thinks, that those other people do not know the EXTRA troubles of the returnees which come from and because of being the returnees. This returnee told me that it was hard to catch up study very much. But people only focus that the returnee can speak English very well, and it is cool or that is very advantage point. Also this returnee said that the word “Returnee” feels like discrimination word. To be an international person, it was good, but do not want to be said “Returnee” anymore.
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References
all information from two returnees I have interviewed