Student Brittney in U.S. vs. Student Brittney in Japan! Go!

Not much varies between the U.S. and Japanese in academics specifically. The grade system is similar, though it is harder to make an A+.

Most classes are lecture-based, but the classes I intend to take involve interaction to learn. The attitudes and behavior, however, are very different. For example at the beginning of the school year. In the U.S. when students are asked to introduce themselves to one another they talk amongst themselves and sometimes teachers provide an activity. But in Japan, each student introduces themselves formally by standing and saying their name, age, and study. In English it would go like this:

• “How are you? My name is Brittney Mack. I’m 21. My major is International studies and my minor is Japanese. It’s nice to meet you.”

Another thing is students are taught to respect their teacher. When class begins and ends, students are to stand and bow. They also speak very formally to their teachers whom they will, even after they graduate, call sensei (teacher).