Nicola Brazendale
Hello Everyone. My name is Nicola and I'm a New Zealander. This basically means that I must put up with continual references to sheep and misunderstandings over my spoken English, particularly when trying to communicate with Americans.
I arrived in Fukushima in August 2003, my first time to the Tohoku area, although my 5th time to Japan. Standout memories and impressions of my first year spent in Fukushima can be summed up in the following few words: Friendly, beautiful nature, quietness, solitude and cold, although not necessarily all these at once. Unforgettable memories of mountain hiking, koyo (autumn leaves), and walking amidst the falling snow (or more accurately, swirling snow) also come vividly to mind.
Before coming to Fukushima I studied Japanese language, as well as the history and culture. I have found that joining a Japanese workforce is a much better way to appreciate all that makes up the culture of this country than just reading about it in books, although it comes with a much steeper learning curve to grapple with. Unexpectedly, I have also found that I have learnt a lot about my own culture and values through being exposed to such a different one as exists here in Japan. After awhile you begin to realize that 'different' doesn't necessarily mean 'worse' or 'better', it just means simply that- different.
So, although I have come here to Fukushima in the capacity of a CIR
to broaden 'International Understanding at the grass roots level', I admit
that in all likelihood it may only be me who will end up any the wiser
as far as this goes. For there is much truth in the belief that to truly
understand the differences between peoples you have to stand in their
shoes, or at least try and see things the way they see them. What I can
do during my time here, is to encourage all I come in to contact with
to take the same challenge as I have undertaken, and try living in a completely
different environment and culture. You may feel out of your depth at times,
but with any such experience comes growth and awareness of yourself and
your place in this world.
Thank you very much.
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