Currently on a 1-semester exchange to Osaka University in Japan, William Strausser, a 4th year Asian Area Studies major, has agreed to share his experience as it unfolds. This is part one, of a three-part interview, chronicling his exchange abroad. The first interview will be conducted after his first week in Japan, the second, halfway through his exchange and the third, one week before he returns.
First Week
Asian Studies: Tell us a little about yourself?
William: I’m a 4th year Asian Area Studies major in the Honours program with a focus on Japan. I am originally from the States, having grown up in little Burlington, Vermont. Academically, my greatest interests are Japanese history, religion, and cinema, especially jidaigeki films from the ‘50s and ‘60s. In fact, Akira Kurosawa’s films are one of the primary reasons I chose to major in Asian Studies. The intersection of cinematic technique, powerful storytelling, and historicity in his (and other directors’) films has driven me more than anything else to pursue my degree. Outside of school, I also have great interest in music and photography, and would likely be working toward a career in one of those fields if not for UBC’s excellent Asian Studies program. I’m also an avid New York sports fan, following the Jets, Mets, Rangers, and Knicks.
Asian Studies: Where are you going on exchange and why did you chose to go there?
William: I am studying at Osaka University in Japan. I chose to come here for several reasons: Firstly, I knew that I wanted to go to Japan for a semester abroad due to my major, so the country was always a given. Secondly, I felt that Osaka as a city provided the best opportunity for me to see and experience Japanese culture, given the tremendous history of the Kansai region, its distance from Tokyo (which seems to be a significantly more globalized city), and the sheer size of the population here. There is so much to see and do here that it’s overwhelming for even a 5-month stay. Lastly, when I looked at the program offered at Osaka University, I liked how its small size compared to the depth of its course offerings. There are only about 80 students in my program, but I have the opportunity to take many highly specific courses that even a large department such as ours cannot offer.
Osaka’s Shinsaibashi district
Asian Studies: What are you most excited about? What do you hope to achieve? Do you have any goals for your exchange (academic, social, professional)?
William: There is so much I want to see here! Of course, I hope to do plenty of sightseeing, touring around as many temples, castles, and museums as I possibly can. Having learned so much about Japan’s history in university, getting the chance to actually see these landmarks in real life is something I very much look forward to. I also hope to encounter some of Japan’s underground music scene; there is a very vibrant and active community of musicians in Osaka in a wide variety of genres, and I would like to see as many of them live as possible. Additionally, there are many smaller things I hope to experience, such as Japan’s baseball culture (especially to contrast it with America’s), Osaka’s cuisine, and local cinema. Aside from these things, I plan to use this new environment as an opportunity to work on my photography.
If there’s one goal I have while I’m here, however, it is to come away with at least conversational ability in Japanese. I have struggled thus far in my language courses at UBC, so earning practical experience speaking, reading, and writing will be invaluable for me in achieving my long-term career goals.
Isshin-ji temple
Asian Studies: What are you most worried about?
William: Not having enough time for everything! 5 months can go by very quickly, so I have to make sure that I’m not wasting my time at all while I’m here. I hope to knock at least one thing off of my list every week, which means I can never get lazy even when it’s 35ºC and 80% humidity outside.
Asian Studies: It is your first week abroad, how bad is the culture shock? Tell me at least 1 thing that has surprised you.
William: I’ve actually been surprised more than anything else at how little culture shock I’ve experienced. A combination of previous travel experience in Asia, language study at UBC, and the fact that I’m already doing my degree in a foreign country as is, has really eased the shock of coming to Japan. I know it’s strange to say as an American that studying in Canada has made it easier for me to come to Japan, but it really has. The differences are much more subtle, but they are differences nonetheless. This has helped teach me what it’s like to live in a different society from my own.
Asian Studies: What courses are you taking? Which one are you most excited for and why?
William: In addition to Japanese language, I’ll be taking 5 courses: Topics in Japanese Law, Japanese Society and Ideology, Osaka in Modern Literature, A Glimpse at Japanese Arts, and Introductory Anthropology. Of these, I am definitely most excited for Japanese Law. I see it as a rare opportunity to take a class that I otherwise would likely never have the opportunity to take in North America. I also hope that understanding the legal system here, especially constitutional law, will help to bolster my overall understanding of Japanese society.
Asian Studies: Has your training in Asian Studies helped you in any way while abroad? i.e.; Have you managed to not embarrass yourself yet?
William: Absolutely! I’m not sure I can point to any specific instances where my classes have aided me in navigating Japanese culture, but there’s no doubt that they have. Regardless, there have still been plenty of times where I’ve embarrassed myself, but I think that’s to be expected any time you visit a foreign country for the first time. It’s not necessarily that I’ve violated any social norms, but rather inexperience with the way people here use the subway, buy their groceries, order at restaurants, etc. It’s these kinds of mundane daily activities that I have felt least prepared for.
A bird in a sakura tree in Tennōji park
Asian Studies: What is the best thing you have eaten so far? Pics or it didn’t happen
William: You’re gonna hate me because I actually don’t have any pictures, but I had an incredible bowl of shōyu ramen at a little restaurant in Shinsaibashi this past weekend. I didn’t have my camera with me at the time, but you can rest assured that it was delicious. I’ll be sure to be better equipped next time I eat something good!
This is the end of our first interview William Strausser but stay tuned for parts two and three of his experience abroad! Also, follow William’s new blog, Osaka Summer, where he will share his stories of Japan on a weekly basis.
If you are an Asian Studies Major currently on exchange or planning to go in Term 1 of 2016W and would like to share your experience with UBC Asian Studies and our students, send an email to Oliver Mann at oliver.mann[at]ubc.ca as he would love to interview you!
