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Post by hellndie on Jan 26, 2009 8:40:26 GMT 8
I have a group of students who are going to Canada for a few weeks in April. I am prepping them for their trip and telling them a little about the different cultures, etc. I am wondering if there are any Canadians out there or anyone who have such experience (prepping your students to study oversea) who could help me with the culture differences or make a list of things the students should know about...
Thanks!
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Post by Otaku on Jan 26, 2009 9:54:38 GMT 8
I'm not from Canada, but: 1. Size differences: cars, streets, food portions, people, etc 2. Driving speed is faster. 3. People speak English fast. 4. No set English phrases (meaning, nobody will probably ask them, "How RU?"...more like, "What's up?") 5. Fashion differences (interesting to note while Japanese put English on their clothes, it's popular to put kanji on clothes) 6. Community vs. independent culture. Also, you might try and do the Homestay Parents with your students. The game focuses on giving the students situations in Japanese and they must you their the grammar, vocabulary and gestures to get their message across to you.
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Post by gumby on Jan 26, 2009 13:11:58 GMT 8
I always stress that the Japanese ‰“—¶@enryo is not the same. Maybe someone can help me define this word in English. It is the idea that it is polite to first decline an offer of food, drinks etc. It goes upon the assumption that a good host will always insist. I tell my students if you want it, say so. At least in the US, if you say you don't want something they may or may not ask again.
Also I teach them, 'May I have something to drink?" Again not something one usually asks when visiting a Japanese home. Japanese hosts usually go out of their way which is not always true in the US (I'm assuming in Canada as well, though I may be wrong) .
I go over typical meals with them so they know what to expect. Cereal and juice for breakfast would be unheard of for guests staying in a Japanese home. Teach them how to decline politely, especially when it comes to second helpings or desserts.
I would definitely get some idea of the Canadian health system. In the US, most take over the counter medicine when they catch a cold. They rarely visit their doctor at the first sign of a cold. I remember one Japanese exchange student who was furious with her homestay mother for not wanting to take her to a doctor because she had slight fever. I always suggest they bring their medicine (in the original packaging or with the detailed contents for customs) with them. I suggest that they bring over the counter stomach medicine/cold medicine.
I'm sure I'm missing a lot of things. I would be interested in the list that you use, if you don't mind sharing...
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Post by hellndie on Jan 27, 2009 12:27:05 GMT 8
Thanks for the tips!
gumby - I'll let you know when I am done with the booklet... its no longer a list... hmm
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Post by jessen100 on Jan 28, 2009 13:40:43 GMT 8
one time i was sitting at my desk, and i coughed once. the luch lady sitting next to me said something like, " are you ok? that sounds terrible! havent you gone to the doctor yet? you gotta go to the doctor omg!!!"
I would have really enjoyed replying "shutthefuckupimfineyouobnoxiousbitch" but i fear the loss of my job, so i restrained myself. i will be very happy when she retires this march.
another time i walked in in the morning, and had barely even shut the door behind be before i heard, her say, " hey! you have to say good morning, you cant just walk in here like such a creep, like you`re some kind of ghost!"
i wish i could sew her mouth shut.
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Post by junkdna on Jan 29, 2009 7:29:36 GMT 8
"Boot to the head."
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