Colin White
(1992-94)
I worked for LIOJ in the Business Communications Program for about 18 months during the period 1992-1994.
I came to Japan after having finished a Master's degree in International Political Economy at Oxford University in 1992. Through my studies, I had acquired a keen interest in Japan as an economic power and I wanted to find out more about what made Japanese society tick. Having lived for long periods of time in Europe and North America, I wanted to experience life in East Asia. I wanted to add the Japanese language to my knowledge of German, English, and French. I did not know LIOJ when I came to Japan and I was not only looking for work as an ESL teacher. I wanted to spend one year in Japan, two at the most, and I never lost sight of my goal to go back to grad school to earn my Ph.D. When I read the job description of the LIOJ Business Instructor, I knew immediately that no other work environment would be more conducive to my goals while in Japan.
What attracted me to LIOJ and what proved to be the defining essence of the LIOJ experience for me was the opportunity to interact with Japanese business leaders in exciting and multi-faceted settings. LIOJ's core and elective classes, business and cultural simulations, excursion and evening programs amounted to an "intercultural lab" in which both students and teachers embarked on an cross-cultural learning experience. LIOJ's experimental approach to language teaching set no limits to instructor creativity and allowed me to offer evening programs centered on such topics as European Integration, German unification, and the German Waldorf School model. Following the long and demanding day set by the LIOJ curriculum, I never lost an opportunity to go out with our students and continue the LIOJ learning experience in the informal setting of the Japanese Isakaya At LIOJ, the border blurred between formal class room learning and informal drinking sessions as both contributed to the ultimate goal of immersing our students fully in the English language. Of course, both helped me draw out of our students everything I ever wanted to know about Japan?and more. Today, many of my former students are still among my best friends. In several cases, I feel like a family member.
Most importantly, of course, I met my wife at LIOJ. No, she was not my student... She was LIOJ's manager of the Business Communications Program. The most memorable event in our lives was our wedding at Asia Center on a sunny and crystal clear January day. Thanks to those of you who were able to attend. Thanks to Masahide Shibusawa for attending.
After LIOJ, I wrote my Ph.D. at the Johns Hopkins University's School of Advanced International Studies in Washington, D.C., and am currently employed as an economic analyst by the U.S. Department of State. What I learned about cross-cultural communication at LIOJ has been useful to me in all my subsequent endeavors.
Nothing in my life was more enjoyable than the LIOJ experience. My time in Japan was the single best in my life. Thank you LIOJ!
May 2003
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