First Day

I was half-looking forward to and half-dreading the morning rush hour commute. I wanted to experience the craziness of it, but at the same time, I wasn't sure I could handle it. As it turns out, we left Mune's house just after the worst had passed. Actually, it was quite quiet on the train. At first I thought this was only because everyone was busy text messaging or checking the internet on their phones. But Mune explained that Japanese parents teach kids the importance of respecting other people's space and privacy, particularly in public places.

In Shinjuku, I had my first bowl of ramen (we were going to the Park Hyatt Hotel for lunch later, but Mune couldn't resist because he was back home again!). I learned that, generally speaking, women do not eat at ramen shops. After hearing this, I developed the habit of looking into ramen shops while walking around Tokyo to see if I could spot any women eating inside. Interestingly, the only women I saw were adolescents (so perhaps things are changing...?)

The superficial reason for visiting the Park Hyatt was Lost in Translation. The real reason was to eat at an exceptional Japanese restaurant. But, actually, Mune didn't prepare me for a fine dining experience (of course he'd said we were going to a nice place, but that was all). To be honest, I had rather low expectations. This is because in the States, expensive hotels often feature mediocre, overpriced restaurants. Boy, was I in for a surprise! The decor, the service, the presentation, the relaxed pace of the meal, the education I received about how to eat noodles, drink tea, and appreciate sake and, above all, the astonishing array of delicious smells and tastes make this easily one of the best meals I have ever eaten in my life.

Choosing sake glasses at the Park Hyatt 

Posing at the Park Hyatt Hotel 

Questions for my Japanese Students

Is it true that the family backgrounds of flight attendants on Japanese airlines are carefully researched to make sure that the flight attendants come from "good" families?

Can a man be a flight attendant on a Japanese airline?

Are the little toys and trinkets that Japanese people (especially girls) attach to their cell phones gifts from friends, or do people buy them for themselves?

Why don't people wear bike helmets in Japan (I didn't see a single one the whole time I was there). Or, why do you think so many Americans wear them?

Are smokers ok with the idea of smoking in designated areas on the street, or are they angry about this policy?

My accomodations

I immediately felt comfortable in Mune's home. I'd never met members of his family before, but they welcomed me warmly, especially his mother. She cooked a wonderful dinner, which included the best tuna sashimi I had ever tasted. I didn't feel any jet lag at all--it must have been because I was so excited to be there.

Normally, it would have just been Mune's mom and dad in the house; but, lucky for me, his sister (who lives in Nagoya) had just given birth to a baby girl (Akikho), and so she, and her other two kids (Akane and Asoto, both toddlers), were staying there. So, I had the opportunity to be around a family with adorable little kids--such a great way to experience everyday life in a new culture!

Mune's neighborhood surprised me because I'd pictured a much more hectic, densely populated area. He'd said he lived in the city of Tokyo, so my image was, you know, Shibuya Station or something like that! But it was so tranquil, with winding narrow streets and well-kept gardens. I fell asleep to the sounds of crickets outside my window.

My son, Oliver, in his jinbei (bought in Asakusa)

The view from my room at Mune's house. 

Surprises!

• Eggs and vegetables for sale at the airport
• Automatic car doors on taxis (I slammed mine shut the first time)
• Noticing one (and only one!) candy wrapper on the ground at the train station
• Cashiers removing your items from your basket (but actually, one of my students had told me about this in advance)

Day 1: The Flight to Tokyo

On the plane to Narita Airport, things were already different: a camera on the front and the bottom of the plane so you can see video of your take-off and the ground below...What an excellent idea!

And then the food. Of course, I was prepared for better-much better-food in Japan than what I was used to in the States (I mean, come on...what food is worse than American food? Especially American airplane food!!). But I hadn't realized that my experience in gourmet cuisine would begin on the flight over there. ANA (All Nippon Airlines) was featuring authentic, traditional food from Kyoto! Oishi desh-ta! (one of the few things I know how to say in Japanese...)

On a flight full of Americans, I always hear at least one loud conversation between two businessmen or strangers meeting for the first time, joking annoyingly with each other. In contrast, this flight was so quiet and peaceful. Everyone focused on getting comfortable and relaxed. I found that it helped me relax (not such an easy task for me!). In fact, I felt so good on the plane, I was even a bit disappointed when I heard we were going to land (honestly!).

I should mention that one reason why I felt so comfortable and secure is that I was with my business partner, Mune (he's from Tokyo and we were on the way to his house). So, I was in a very privileged situation--especially for my first time visiting an Asian country!

On the plane, the flight attendants were amazingly helpful in ways I wasn't used to. Actually, this wasn't so surprising because my students have educated me about the exceptional customer service in Japan. However, one thing did surprise me: I'd expected the customer service to be overbearing (you know, people trying too hard and too much). But if you didn't request help, no one bothered you. This is exactly what I saw in stores in Japan, too. I loved it! This is the way it should be everywhere, right?

Next: First impressions of Japan

The first of many bowls!

A Visit Long Overdue

For the past three years, I've been teaching English in New York City to Japanese students. Before last Friday, I'd heard so much about their lives in Japan, but (incredibly) I'd never been there to experience it for myself.

As I write this, I'm sitting in a room in Mune's family's home in Tokyo.* Finally, I'm here: my first visit ever! Actually, this is my seventh and final day in Tokyo. There is so much to tell. Hmmm...where to begin?

"For me, the most important thing about being in Japan was seeing Japanese people in their own country--not wrestling with the ups and downs of their new lives in the States."

This comment was made by a friend and former colleague when she came back to the U.S. from her first visit to Japan. Like me, she knew a lot about Japanese people and culture---but only through her observations and conversations with Japanese students in New York City.

Seeing Japanese people in their natural environment (more specifically, Japanese people in Tokyo), observing their daily routines and learning more about their personalities--discovering what's important to them and not so important to them....Yes, like my friend, I feel this has been the most valuable experience for me.

"Why the U.S.? Why did you decide to come here to learn English?" When I ask a new student this question, the response is usually something like, "To learn about real American culture." Naturally, I feel the same way about Japan: I want to learn more about real Japanese culture. But my primary goal is different. I want to learn about real Japanese culture, not to study and live in Japan (although this is an interesting idea), but to help my students benefit more deeply from their experience in the United States.

Next: So what have I learned?

*(Mune--short for Muneaki--is my business partner at our encaré english, our language school in Manhattan).

What is T.I.E.?

True International Experience is what students expect when they decide to study and live in a new culture. And I think it's what they deserve. But so often it's not what they get! (More about this shortly...)

My name is Jason Levine and I'm an English language teacher in New York City. Three years ago, I co-founded a school for Japanese English learners with my business partner, Muneaki Goto. The school is called encaré english and we are located in Manhattan at 12 E. 41st street Suite 903. You can see our website at www.encare.us

I am creating this blog for anyone from a country or culture outside of the United States who is currently studying English and learning about American Culture (or would like to do so in the future). I envision a forum where English learners and native English speakers can exchange thoughts, ideas, and stories. I will begin with my own, and then hopefully other people will contribute theirs soon.

Now, back to the idea of T.I.E.

When people choose to study in the U.S., they usually imagine a life entrenched in a new culture: speaking English every day, meeting Americans, making American friends. After all, if this is not the case, why come all the way here? It's easier to take English classes in your hometown!

Unfortunately, what students imagine is not always a reality. For some people--and I'm thinking of many of my students--it is indeed quite far from a reality. Why? There is no simple answer to this question. Surely, it involves many factors. But one thing is certain: the solution to the problem lies in creating opportunities to build relationships between foreign students and Americans!

This is what I mean by T.I.E.