A Japanese and Chinese Major

It seems these days a lot of people want to go to Japan, especially young people. When I say young I mean anywhere around the ages of 12 to 25. I figure it must be because of all that anime they’re feeding kids with over here.

Nevertheless, there are some certain things to consider before going to Japan and potential situations to be realized. The following may not apply to all, but it applies to the majority. Let’s assume the majority is 15, male, and middle-class American.

You probably know little to no Japanese. Sure you’ve picked a few phrases and words here and there from tv, but if you were to sit down at a Japanese cafe and try to eavesdrop on a conversation you couldn’t do it. I know this sounds silly, but consider actually learning Japanese before going to Japan.

Something that also must be realized as well is that although cultural immersion is an excellent method for language learning, it is not a substitute for hard work and studies. I get the feeling that a lot of people think that when they come to Japan they will automatically learn Japanese, like they will absorb the language from standing on the soil. If you’re not going to take the time to study kanjis here, you’re going to have to take the time to study them there. So again, learn Japanese before you go~!

The Majority: “I don’t care, I want to go now!”

If you want to go to Japan without knowing the language, that’s fine too. You’ll survive, and probably have a good time. I would recommend going with a friend though, especially for lengthy travels. Because when you find yourself in a land that you can’t understand and amongst people you can’t communicate with, it can get lonely pretty fast.

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