When students swap countries, they earn more than a stamp in their passport. Misaki Yabusako, an English literature major from Doshisha University in Kyoto, Japan, is spending the year at Linfield. Edna Poton ’20, a Linfield global studies major from Salem, spent the fall semester at Kanto Gakuin University in Yokohama, Japan. We brought the two of them together to find out how their experiences compare – or contrast.
Biggest surprise
Edna: At KGU, there are so many people. The lines to the elevator are so long. Being pushed into trains and having no personal space.
Misaki: At Linfield, we have face-to-face conversations and say “hi.” In Japan, we don’t really say “hi” to strangers.
Favorite activity
Edna: Traveling around Japan. I got to go to Kyoto, Osaka and Tokyo.
Misaki: Because Linfield is small, they have school events every week. We don’t really have that in Japan. I don’t get bored at Linfield.
Where did you live?
Edna: My dorm was a 10-minute walk from the university. I also lived with a host family for a month, a 50-minute train ride from the university.
Misaki: I live on campus with roommates. I’ve never lived with anyone besides my family, so having roommates was a little bit scary. In Japan, I rode the train two hours to school and I was really tired all the time.
Favorite food
Edna: Gyoza (potstickers) and shabu-shabu (thin-sliced meat
dipped into water).
Misaki: I like pizza. I can eat it almost every day.
Favorite class
Edna: Japanese Culture and Society, taught by an American teacher. She gave us an insider’s look at Japan from an outside perspective.
Misaki: Becoming an Early Childhood Teacher. We had active lessons. We made slime. We were able to learn and discuss. It is really different from Japan. Usually the teacher talks and the students take notes.
Best part
Edna: Being in Japan. I never thought I could go to a country so far away from Oregon. Having the opportunity to go and learn and be there was an amazing thing for me.
Misaki: The people here are really warm and kind. The people in Japan should smile more. Being connected with people here is the best thing.
What did you learn?
Edna: Patience. You have to be patient in Japan, waiting in line for food.
Misaki: Self-expression. In Japan we have a culture to blend in. It feels good to be here because you don’t have to hide your feelings and you can be yourself.
