Today we met our colleagues from Daito Bunka
University. After a quick tour of their
campus, Suzuki-sensei, Inoue-sensei, and Inoue-san (Mrs. Inoue) facilitated a
discussion of our views on the challenges facing us as we complete our various
programs and venture into the professional world. We discovered that the differences in
outlooks between the American students and our Japanese counterparts were
minimal; uncertainty about balancing our desires to find jobs which are
intellectually stimulating and for which we have passion with the necessity of
earning an income in an economy in which job openings are scarce would seem to
be a universal feeling. Our cultural
exchanged continued after we left the classroom and were treated to a welcoming
party by our gracious hosts. The
cafeteria was filled with laughter and lively conversations. When it came time to say goodbye, I knew this
would be a day I will never forget. The
American students said “Mata ne,” and
the Japanese students replied, “See you later,” and we walked out into the warm
Tokyo evening eagerly anticipating tomorrow’s session.
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