Interview with Robin Nagano

Tímea Kriston

So…today, in front of me is the patron of students interested in Japanese culture, English teacher at the University of Miskolc: Robin Nagano.

So…you were born in America, in the U.S. And how did you end up in Japan, and then Hungary? What’s the story behind it, were there any special reasons?

Well, it’s rather complicated and at the same time, quite simple. I ended up in Japan partly by accident. I was getting ready to graduate from college, didn’t know exactly what I wanted to do, and a professor suggested that I go to Japan for two years as an assistant English teacher. My first reaction was: "Japan?! I studied German, not Japanese!" But…it sounded interesting, like an adventure, a chance to test myself, could I survive in a foreign country, and so on. After the two years were up I decided I wasn’t ready to leave yet, so I extended for one year, and two more years, moved schools…I ended up staying for 16 years. It was…a good place for me. Not always an easy country to live in… but after a while I got ready for a change. I planned to change just schools in Japan, but at this point I met a man, a Hungarian man. From Miskolc. And that’s how I ended up here.

Was it hard to get used to these places? How much time you needed to get accustomed to Japan, and now, Hungary? Both the language and the customs? Which was harder?

It’s rather difficult to compare. I have been in different situations in the two cases. In Japan, I was young, single, a little adventuresome. And…involved in a community. And I’d say… well, the first year was the most difficult. After that, I had some idea of what to expect in different situations. In Hungary, on the other hand, I’m in a more restricted environment, partly of my own choice. I can speak English at home, and with my colleagues, so my language knowledge of Hungarian is much poorer, at least my oral production ability is…much poorer than Japanese. Perhaps being older at the time of starting to learn was also a factor, but also the amount of energy that I put into it is much less. Culturally, of course, Hungary is much closer to the U.S. than Japan is, but there are differences that still catch me by surprise every now and again.

For example?

Oh, dear…perhaps it shouldn’t surprise me by now, but sometimes…people’s selfishness, or lack of consideration for other people… can still take me aback.

You said you lived in Japan for 16 years. How long have you been here, in Hungary?

Let me see… about 9 years, I suppose.

Would you give some advice in general…for students or people who wish to settle down in Japan, in the U.S., or just in a foreign country?

Well, yes. I haven’t always followed it myself, but…it’s important to make as many connections as you can. To meet different types of people, to get involved in different types of activities for a well-rounded experience, so to speak. Of course, you need to be open, and try not to be judgmental, but there are also times when you need to retreat and escape from the culture, temporarily.

Like sitting back and observing?

Maybe. In my case, sometimes I read a novel, and escape into that, for example…in English, of course.

Do you think that becoming a teacher helped you to travel around these places?

Well, I hadn’t actually planned to become a teacher. It has been a contributing factor, I suppose. It’s been relatively easy to find jobs as an English teacher, as a native speaker, with the proper qualifications. And perhaps it added to my interest in other cultures and people in general.

Did you find -- of course you found -- differences between English teaching in your home, in Japan, and here? I’m sure they don’t teach English the same everywhere.

No, certainly not. The foreign language education that I had in the U.S. was…really quite effective. From the second year --I’m talking about university studies -- Starting from zero level…by the second year, we were already discussing literature in the target language, for example. Ehm…that might be an exception…the U.S. is not known for language education, but my university was very good. Japan…has a fairly rigid, conservative, teacher-centered classroom approach in general, the Japanese often end up with quite good reading ability, not bad writing ability, not a bad vocabulary, but totally unable to speak and hold a conversation.

So they lack the skills of oral communication?

They consider it a subject, something you learn at school. Not something you use in real life. In Hungary I’ve run across a variety of methods, approaches, attitudes. In general, I’d say the students at the university here are better users of English than the Japanese students I know. But there are huge variations in motivation, in ability in time, and energy invested in learning.

Well…I think, too, that here in Hungary, it’s really varied…depends on the students, and the teachers, as well… From time to time, Japanese exchange students visit this university. Do you seek them out, to help them, to speak with them, or anything?

Sometimes. I try to manage, at least, to introduce myself at the beginning of their stay. How the relationship develops after that is up to the individual. I used to teach at one of the universities that sends students here, and the students get to hear about me before they arrive, if they come from that university.

And do you know anything about their impressions? Maybe they’re more open to you as they can use their native language while speaking to you.

Well, there have been, of course, difficulties. Communication difficulties, number one, I’d say. But every Japanese student I’ve talked to, by the end of their stay, are incredibly enthusiastic about their time here, not wanting to go back and have a very positive impression of the experience overall.

At the beginning of the interview, I said you were the patron of students interested in Japanese culture. So… do you tend to “collect” these people? And what do you think about them? Do you think they’ll be able to speak the language or get accustomed to the rules?

Well, I think it’s great that so many people have an interest in Japan, sharing my interest in Japan. It’s a huge project learning Japanese to a communicative level, especially the reading and writing, and so it takes a lot of motivation on the student’s part, and that’s individual. So, some people will make it, and some people won’t. But simply having the interest and being willing to learn about the culture or society as well as the language is really important. And I welcome these people as well.

That’s great….oh, and one last question, a lot of people asked me this: why is your surname Nagano? How did you acquire this name?

It is a little confusing, I know. It is the family name of my first husband, who was, who is, Japanese. When we divorced, I decided to keep the name, partly because it was my academic name. I had several degrees and publications in that name, partly because it was a part of Japan, and I didn’t want to give it up.

Interesting…well, at least we know that now. And I think that was all…thank you for all your time, patience, and well, the answers.