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Essay

Why did you come to Japan?

"Why did you come to Japan?" In the 25 years that I've lived in Tottori, I've often been asked this question.

Every foreign resident has a different reason for why they come to Japan. Some come to study Japanese culture, such as manga, flower arranging or the tea ceremony. Others come to study martial arts, such as judo or karate. Yet others come to teach English or because of a Japanese boyfriend or girlfriend they met overseas. The reason I came to Japan is "none of the above." In my case, it all started with a university timetable.

In Canada, I studied French and German at university. At age 21, I dropped out of university to make a round-the-world trip — an exciting adventure that lasted for four years. During my travels in Europe and Asia, I met many Russians and became eager to study their language.

When I got back to Canada, I had one more year to go to finish university. I still remember arriving on campus after four years abroad to register for my courses. I explained to the university advisor that I wanted to continue French and German, and she helped me choose my classes.

Next, I told her I wanted to start a third language — Russian. She looked at my timetable, studied it briefly, then said, "That's impossible!" "Why?" I asked. "Because," she explained, "you have a timetable clash. There's only one Russian class and it's at the same time as your French class." I was stunned! For two years, I'd dreamt of studying Russian. Now, my dream was being taken away from me because of a timetable problem. Unbelievable!

"Wait a minute," said the advisor. "You have free time on Wednesdays and there's a Japanese class then. Why don't you take that? After all, foreign languages are all the same. I'll register you for Japanese." I tried to protest, but in vain!

One week later, I found myself, totally against my will, in the "Introduction to Japanese" class. I was so frustrated! I had no interest in Japan and no desire to learn Japanese. I wanted Russian! For two months, I was a very angry student.

Gradually, though, my anger dissipated and I submitted to my fate. Thanks to my natural curiosity in languages, I began to get interested in Japanese and started studying it seriously. After a year, I graduated with a degree in French, German and Japanese, then flew to Japan where I began to teach. There, I met my wife and have now lived in Tottori for 25 years.

When people ask me, "Why did you come to Japan?," it's embarrassing to tell the truth. I came to Japan because of a timetable clash at my university!

Shukan ST: April 01, 2011

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Essay Why did you come to Japan? By Kip Cates "Why did you come to Japan?" In the 25 years that I've lived in Tottori, I've often been asked this question. Every foreign resident has a different reason for why they come to Japan. Some come to study Japanese culture, such as manga, flower arranging or the tea ceremony. Others come to study martial arts, such as judo or karate. Yet others come to teach English or because of a Japanese boyfriend or girlfriend they met overseas. The reason I came to Japan is "none of the above." In my case, it all started with a university timetable. In Canada, I studied French and German at university. At age 21, I dropped out of university to make a round-the-world trip — an exciting adventure that lasted for four years. During my travels in Europe and Asia, I met many Russians and became eager to study their language. When I got back to Canada, I had one more year to go to finish university. I still remember arriving on campus after four years abroad to register for my courses. I explained to the university advisor that I wanted to continue French and German, and she helped me choose my classes. Next, I told her I wanted to start a third language — Russian. She looked at my timetable, studied it briefly, then said, "That's impossible!" "Why?" I asked. "Because," she explained, "you have a timetable clash. There's only one Russian class and it's at the same time as your French class." I was stunned! For two years, I'd dreamt of studying Russian. Now, my dream was being taken away from me because of a timetable problem. Unbelievable! "Wait a minute," said the advisor. "You have free time on Wednesdays and there's a Japanese class then. Why don't you take that? After all, foreign languages are all the same. I'll register you for Japanese." I tried to protest, but in vain! One week later, I found myself, totally against my will, in the "Introduction to Japanese" class. I was so frustrated! I had no interest in Japan and no desire to learn Japanese. I wanted Russian! For two months, I was a very angry student. Gradually, though, my anger dissipated and I submitted to my fate. Thanks to my natural curiosity in languages, I began to get interested in Japanese and started studying it seriously. After a year, I graduated with a degree in French, German and Japanese, then flew to Japan where I began to teach. There, I met my wife and have now lived in Tottori for 25 years. When people ask me, "Why did you come to Japan?," it's embarrassing to tell the truth. I came to Japan because of a timetable clash at my university! Shukan ST: April 01, 2011 (C) All rights reserved