1. What drew you to join this circle in the first place?
ESS Club is a student organization that brings together native Japanese speakers and international students to practice English and Japanese and build cross-cultural friendships. While its main goal is to help Japanese students practice English, it’s also a welcoming space for speaking Japanese. I was drawn to the club primarily because it aligned with one of my main goals for studying abroad: making Japanese friends.
I also recognized that many Japanese people don’t get the chance to practice English with native speakers, and I wanted to provide that opportunity while helping them improve, however I could. On top of that, I knew I’d gain unique insights into Japan—things you simply can’t learn in a language or culture class. I'm especially fascinated by the cultural nuances around how relationships are formed in Japan.
2. How did you feel at your first meeting or event?
Before my first meeting at Shinmachi Student Hall, I was honestly nervous. I stood outside the door for about ten minutes, debating whether I should go in. I kept wondering: How will they see me? Will they feel intimidated? Will they want to talk to me? Will they accept me, especially since I’m a Black guy? I was really just hoping to be accepted and seen.
Eventually, I gathered the courage to walk in. Once I sat down at my table and met everyone, all my anxiety disappeared.
