My love for Japanese culture started with the Studio Ghibli movie Kiki’s Delivery Service. Have you seen it? It's amazing! After watching it, I became fascinated with Japan. However, what inspired me to study abroad in Japan is its traditional culture and values. Furthermore, I also plan to teach English there one day. I believe that studying the language and culture will help me build stronger connections with my future colleagues and students.
Mastering Japanese will help me achieve an important goal as a teacher: to inspire and support my students, both academically and personally. If I can become really good at listening and speaking, I’ll be able to understand them and communicate clearly. This will help me build trust with my students so they feel comfortable coming to me for help, whether they’re struggling with English or facing personal challenges. Plus, speaking Japanese fluently will allow me to encourage them in their own language, making it easier for them to understand my message and feel uplifted.
Lastly, I want to use my time in Japan to challenge stereotypes about Black men. I am striving to be a positive representation of my race and to encourage people to rethink any negative misconceptions they may have about black people. By respectfully engaging with the local culture and people, I hope that I will be able to change perspectives, and in the process make long-lasting friendships.
