UnicornerCorn

Was your training for Cirque Du Soleil like this? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BLouxprAHtQ&feature=channel&list=UL

Thanks for replying!

Wow, I had no idea that both Chinese and Japanese media were actively fighting each other. It does seem to speak volumes about the animosity that these two countries still have for each other for them to still be doing that.

I'm sorry that you've been told to go back to America before and to have people treat you like you're the plague. I know exactly how that feels because I've been told to go back to China and to speak English whenever I speak in Chinese. I live in Philadelphia, so its not like I'm living in a ultra conservative or undiverse area. I think if I can handle racism in America then I could handle it in Japan. However, I don't think I can handle snide racist remarks from any older than me or superiors. I know that respect and honor towards anyone older than you is very important in Japan. I also know in any country the community within schools can be very hostile among teachers. I'm already experiencing a bit of hostility from older teachers in my field placement at a elementary school and I'm not even a student teacher yet, let alone a teacher! Its just the thought of having to show so much respect and bow my head down physically and verbally towards anyone who is actively disrespecting me as a person or my ethnicity makes me angry. I don't think I can handle a older superior being actively hostile towards me without completely burning out in the end after months or even days of it happening. Maybe I'm just too sensitive to this type of thing or being too paranoid about it happening. I take everything to heart, which is terrible, but I honestly do care about what people think and say about me. Sorry for like basically pouring my heart out here.

This is probably a terrible and weird question, but how much does the average Japanese person hate a Chinese person? I'm only asking because I'm Chinese and I'm really interested in teaching in Japan for a few years and then moving back to America for a full time teaching position. I'm currently studying to be a Early Childhood Education major, so I'm hopefully I'm always going to be teaching no matter what. I'm just really curious if being Chinese actually murders your chances of being hired in Japan because I know there are some xenophobic problems and a horrible history between the Japanese and Chinese. I don't think a combination of both xenophobia and dislike towards Chinese people helps me get a foot in the door even when I get my teaching certificate. Anyways, even if you don't get to my question thanks for making this AMA! You gave a lot of thorough answers to a lot of the questions I had about teaching in Japan.

Thanks for replying! Its great to know about different experiences and input people have with this.

It makes sense that older generations are still holding on to the same feelings and sentiments they had decades ago. I know respect for anyone older than you is very important in Japan. This honestly scares me and makes me paranoid that I'll have to take snarky remarks from my seniors. I'm already experiencing a bit of that at my field placement in this elementary school. I've heard quite a few passive aggressive remarks thrown at me whenever I'm in the teacher's lounge. I don't think I'd be able to handle having to respect and honor people who are actively aggressive towards me, let alone work with them! I'm probably just too sensitive about this type of stuff, but I feel like I'll burn out quicker in Japan than I would in America. Have you ever faced any type of hostility like this or in general when working with Japanese people? I feel really weird and almost racist for talking about Japanese people like this, so if it makes you uncomfortable you're free to ignore this comment. Honestly, I feel like those culturally ignorant and borderline racist folks who ask people way too many questions about their ethnicity.