Asian Americans In Asian Americans In JapanJapan

Asian Americans In Asian Americans In JapanJapan

““Embrace Your Inner FOBEmbrace Your Inner FOB””

Daphne Chen

Saitama-ken ALT

1997 - 1999

What do you mean, “F.O.B.”?

• “Fresh Off the Boat”• “Friendly, Optimistic, Best Effort”• “Foreign, Odd, Beyond Control”• “Fake, Obsessive, Bummed Out”

Culture Shock

• Since when are hot & sour soup and egg rolls considered delicacies?

• How do I justify eating a $3 peach?• Why am I carrying around $400 in

cash at all times?• Does this come in XXXL?

Making Friends

• Japanese classes for Foreigners• Plop down next to the teachers• After-school activities• Speak Japanese as much as possible• Learn traditional and pop culture

Inside the Classroom

• Big Brother/Big Sister• Using pop culture in your lessons• Role Model and Authority Figure• Being like the other teachers• Student proficiency levels

OMG! She went “there”

• Anything you buy from CVS can be found in the local drug store

• It is not harder for Asian Americans to date

• People will have stereotypes

Clichés That Work

• Online discussions are not gospel• People are the same everywhere,

only the faces are different• Keep an open mind• Live your life

Have a Great Time!Have a Great Time!Have a Great Time!Have a Great Time!Daphne ChenDaphne Chen

daphchen@nyc.rr.comdaphchen@nyc.rr.com(646) 584- 5719(646) 584- 5719