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Kylie Riwhiu on being a JET of Minority Descent |
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Student:
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What is it like to live in America? |
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Me:
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Er...I don’t know. |
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Student:
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Are you related to Michael Jordan? |
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Me:
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Ah, no. He would be African-American. I am a New Zealand Maori. |
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Student:
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Ehhhhh? |
At first it’s amusing, them it becomes frustrating. A lot of Japanese people assume that if you are foreign, you are American. If you aren’t Caucasian, or of Asian descent, then you must be African-American. Explaining that I am not took a lot of tantrums and sulking (by whom? - ed.). Students in Japan do not have the advantage of living in a multi-cultural environment. Because their main exposure to other cultures is through movies and music, then their first assumption that all foreigners (or gaijin) are from America is understandable. Dealing with being a JET of minority descent can be difficult as well as rewarding, both at a professional and personal level. Take strength from your ethnicity!
If you have any questions or queires, please feel to contact me: 0081-22-773-1556 or email at kyle_ruwhiu@hotmail.com.
Kylie