Why do college students from Japan [attending American colleges] refuse to interact with American students?

I've gone to college with many Japanese exchange students, as well, and there are a few things that I'll note:

-First, many of them "study abroad" just for a vacation. A lot of them are wealthy, and sometimes their courses do not transfer credit to their home institutions (some have completed their studies in Japan before studying abroad), so they come to America to party and have a vacation. This is not all of them, but I know some universities who receive MANY of these exchange students.

-A lot of exchange students from Japan (and other Asian countries) are very self-conscious about their skills in English, so they cluster with other Japanese people, because they can communicate freely and they won't be judged. Although you may be friendly, a lot of Americans are not interested in Asia and do not care to understand Asian culture, so they can make fun of them. (This happens more to Asian students than European ones) For example, some people have said that Koreans speaking English sound "like retarded people". If that is said about you, it would be very difficult to become comfortable speaking to English-speakers. Many Americans are also not patient enough to be friends with a foreign student, because it takes extra effort sometimes to understand one another. Anytime effort is involved in a relationship, a lot of people bail out.

-One note about your feeling of "being used" by those who want to practice English is that, although it is definitely possible for them to only go to you for English help and not as a friend, it also occurs sometimes that tutors do become friends, because the Japanese people feel like someone who is willing to help them with their English will be patient with them and not make fun of their speech. My university had a club for people learning Japanese and interested in Japanese culture. Some of the Japanese exchange students would come to the club to meet Americans, because they felt more comfortable talking to people who seemed to be patient and non-judgmental in regards to their language skills and behaviors. Places like these are potentially good places to meet Japanese who are not confident but still hope to make American friends.

(Americans who study abroad in Japan often hang out with other Americans, or other people who speak English, like Australians, Brits, etc. Spanish-speakers often do it in America, but more Americans speak Spanish, so they are not on their own. It's easier for speakers of European languages to find people familiar with their culture and/or language. It is not just Japanese/Asians.

Also, a lot of Americans that go to Japan do what I've listed in the first note: party and vacation. They often go to Japan to drink, party, have sex, etc. (Actually, people who study abroad in Europe are typically worse) Many people who study abroad go home without any meaningful experiences or new knowledge about the country they spent a year in.)

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RE:

Why do college students from Japan [attending American colleges] refuse to interact with American students?

I attend a 2 year college here in Washington State. We have many students from Japan who come to America to learn English and study our ways. As an American student, I'm eager to work with these students, since I've always had an interest in their culture and language.

It is just...

I know what you are talking about. I've seen those kids over and over and everywhere on the campus. We called them, "Bunches" because they all bunched up with same Japanese buddies all the time. I've never seen them trying to interact with other students from other countries or Americans. I think they are shy and too afraid that no one will understand their English. Most of the Japanese 'bunches' who talk and play only with Japanese were the exchange students who only stay for a few months to study English. Their Japanese school was the sister college to mine in U.S. Other Japanese students I saw came to persuade their degrees in U.S. were more outgoing and made friends with Americans and other students from other counties. It was unfortunate that they didn't enjoy the time in U.S. with other people. I must wonder why the school even want to spend the money to be wasted. They attend the classes and go back to dorm room and play with other 'bunches' and drink in the evening. It's a shame. I hated these people because I was also a Japanese student who came to study (I didn't come from the same school as these kids, though.), and saw these people doing the exactly the same thing they do in Japan. The other Japanese students who came individually weren't interact with these "Japanese bunches" also, because it is just a waste of time. There are so many things you can learn from each other. Why you want to waste the perfect opportunity? I don't get it.

Your story was very interesting to me. I worked in a college as the International Student Director and met a lot of students from Japan. ALL the Japanese students expressed to me their desire to make friends with the American students. Some were more successful than others, but it was compelling to hear your side of the story.

I recommend that you join your school's International Student Club. If none exists, then start one! The only students who will join will be those who have a desire to interact with people from other cultures. You might wish to invite the group of students from Japan and tell them a bit about it.

Speak to your college's International Student Adviser. he/she will gladly welcome your assistance for such a club.

I admire your ability to be open to students from cultures different from your own. That is a GREAT characteristic. However, here are some reasons why certain individuals might not embrace your invitations:

They are shy

They are so overwhelmed with learning English that when they make time for relaxing, they want to do so in their native language.

They are not very interested in other cultures (this is pretty rare, but possible)

Good luck!

Sounds like the Japanese students at your school have a bit of adapting to do to the US culture. On the other hand, I think it will be useful for you to know that aggressive/confrontational approach rarely works with Japanese. They are shy and generally prefer to 'let the relationship grow naturally' so to speak.

If you are interested in the Japaneses culture and language, asking them questions is probably a good way to start a conversation. I remember that when I was learning English, it was a lot easier to ask/answer questions than to have a small talk.

As for 'frightening' comment, I think she might have meant that she feels intimidated, rather than you are frightening. That happens when you're speaking in a foreign language - you try to say something but don't know how to say it exactly.

when you get racial encounter at the rate of 2 out of 10, you start to wince interacting with white students. you may have no clue what the fuss is all about if you're white. have you had an experience of some punks spitting by your foot every now and then when they pass by? by the time you have accumulated 10 encounters of that sort, you get anxious around whites and start to find solace among one's race.

It sometimes helps to think of Japanese as belonging to one big family. If you're outside that family, you're a gaijin (literally, "alien".) This applies outside Japan as much as inside. It doesn't apply all the time or to everybody, but this looks like a classic case of the family sticking together.

And by the way, if you think this "Networking with an Agenda" is bad, why don't you try visiting Japan? You've got a good chance of being approached by strangers without warning who just want to practise their English. Rude? Maybe. But a lot of Japanese just don't see it that way. I guess you've got to practise somehow. Think of it this way - these students only have a limited amount of time in the U.S., so they've got to make the most of it.

If you want to get to know these students as people, perhaps you had better learn some Japanese. That might impress them enough to work. But I think you've got your work cut out. If you act annoyed when a student asks for help it won't go down well, regardless of nationality. Relax!

I have a friend who is japanese he was here for a full year, trying to improve his english, but he didn't interact with many people outside of those who spoke some japanese because his english wasn't great.

He also feared that we would reject him, even over the silliest things like what bands he likes...

On another note I have spoken with people who do not speak japanese and are not as interested in japan as I am, and some of them tend to have fairly racist views against them (even going as far as to bring up WWII), and knowing some of these people I cannot blame Japanese foreign exchange students for being somewhat weary of americans...

Let me jot down the reasons in my own honest opinion, whatever it means....

1. Japanese are ambitious and hardworking, to a fault. In getting good grades too.

2. Meeting/knowing someone doesn't neccessarily mean you're friends.

3. To be considered a friend, you have to pass a certain test of time and togetherness.

4. Their English is terrible, hence they'r probably too shy to let it show...

5. Most Japanese are petite and slim. It's in their genes and diet since ancient times. Healthy way of living = lowest mortality rate. Longest lifespan.

6. Japanese people tend to be homogenous. They don't like to stand out. Perhaps by hanging with the white boy, while his fellow japanese students don't, would prolly be considered as as a traitor.

You've already received some good answers. My view is that it's easiest to make friends with people with whom who have something in common. The Japanese students naturally find it easier to make friends with other Japanese students because they share a common language and culture. In addition, most Japanese don't form friendships as easily and casually as Americans -- in their culture, it just takes more time and effort to build relationships.

I would advise you to graciously help them with their English when they ask. In the course of doing that, you may get to know some of them better, and then you can perhaps socialize with them in activities other than English tutoring.

Japanese Students In America