Real Talk about High School Life in Japan 🏫 Life in Japan EP 311

Summary

In this engaging video, the Reutter twins discuss their experience transitioning from a Japanese school to an international one. They share insights on the challenges and differences, such as school uniforms, cafeteria food, and the impact of homework. The twins reveal their love for Japanese school lunches, their favorite genres of music, and their thoughts on future careers like working at a coffee shop or YouTube. They also reminisce about their pranks and offer a glimpse into their daily life as they navigate school life with a mix of cultures.

Takeaways

• 😀 The Reutter twins discussed the differences between Japanese schools and international schools, with the main difference being the transition from middle school to high school and adapting to a new school culture.
• 😀 They mentioned that moving to an international school was easier because they are American and speak English, though they noted that English fluency is important for international students.
• 😀 The twins prefer casual clothes over uniforms, citing comfort as the main reason. They also mentioned that uniforms restricted movement, especially when wearing blazers.
• 😀 Japanese schools had very little homework, and the twins compared this with the more homework-heavy international school system, especially during summer breaks.
• 😀 The twins talked about their track experience, with one sharing an injury story and a fun moment where an old man gave them chocolates during a run.
• 😀 The twins expressed uncertainty about where they would go to college, leaning towards studying abroad, but they remain open to options.
• 😀 They discussed cultural diversity at their international school, noting that there were a lot of Japanese students, but also a significant number of Koreans and other Asian nationalities.
• 😀 They miss Japanese school lunches, particularly the miso soup, milk, and kinako bread, and they fondly remembered the closeness of their old school community.
• 😀 The Reutter twins revealed that they used to prank their classmates by swapping places, with a memorable moment when their friends and teachers caught them.
• 😀 They are not currently part of any official clubs at their new school, but they do play soccer during free time.
• 😀 The twins shared their aspirations for future jobs in Japan, including working at Paz Coffee Shop or continuing their YouTube and babysitting ventures.

Q & A

Was it difficult for you to choose between continuing at a Japanese school or switching to an international school?

No, it wasn't that hard. We figured everyone would eventually go to different places, so it didn't feel like a big deal, especially for high school.

What was the hardest part about transitioning from a Japanese school to an international school?

The hardest part was moving schools in middle school because we knew everyone. But for high school, it wasn’t that difficult.

How did you find the experience of adapting to an international school compared to Japanese schools?

It was easy for us because we speak English, but we realize it's harder for others who don't know English well. The mix of Japanese and American cultures at our international school made it easier.

What’s the biggest difference between an international school and a Japanese school?

The cafeteria! We never had one in Japanese schools, so it was a big change. Also, there's a lot more homework in international schools.

How do you feel about school uniforms compared to casual clothes?

We prefer casual clothes. The uniforms were uncomfortable, especially the blazer. It was hard to move around, and we didn’t like it much.

What are the biggest differences in terms of homework between Japanese and international schools?

In Japan, there was almost no homework, but in our international school, there's a lot of homework, especially in summer break.

Can you share an interesting story related to track or sports?

One time, while running, an old man gave us chocolates. We ended up sharing them with everyone on the track team.

Do you plan to attend college in the US or abroad?

We’re considering college abroad right now, but it could change. We’re not sure yet.

What challenges have you faced at your international school?

The main challenge has been homework, and one of us is struggling with a locker that just won't open. It’s been a running joke at school.

What do you miss most about your Japanese school experience?

We miss the food, especially the miso soup, milk, and kinako bread. We also miss the close connections we had with our friends and the convenience of the commute.