皆さん, こんにちは! Minasan, konnichiwa! Hello everyone! 🌸
My highlight from this week was the visit to the radio studio "FM797 Kyoto Sanjo Radio Cafe". There, my boss, Jo Ishida interviewed me about my time in Japan. I was pretty nervous because during the interview I had to talk in Japanese all the time. The interview is now also on the radio website:
I thought I will just translate the whole thing and if you want to listen to the interview, you can read here what we're talking about. Have fun! 😉
Jo Ishida: Hello everybody. It is time for "Today and the radio". Every 4th Thursday of the month, we invite people to this program who deal with art, not just as art itself, but also art as a movement. It is an interview format called "Art Jo Story". My name is Ishida Jo and today's guest comes from Germany. Kira Schmidt is an intern at the "Kyoto Society for Interart Exchange JARFO". Please look forward to her Japanese, which she has learned here in Kyoto in the past 7 months. I look forward to working with you.
I: Thank you for your cooperation.
Please introduce yourself to us.
Guten Abend! That is the German word for "Konbanwa" (good evening). I am Kira Schmidt, I am 18 years old and I am from Germany. I was born in Rostock, a city in northern Germany. I graduated there last year. I look forward to working with you today.
To a good cooperation. This program is run by Takano Co., Ltd. Posted. Let’s now listen to a song. Song plays
Now let's start with the "guest corner". This month's guest is Kira Schmidt, who I introduced at the beginning of the program. She is an intern at the "Kyoto Society for Interart Exchange JARFO" and the "WANG Interart Museum". Kira, why did you choose Kyoto as your training station?
I became interested in Japan when I was a child. It all started with anime and manga.
So there are mangas and anime in Germany too?
Yes, for example, there are animes on German television. When I was younger I watched for example "Pokémon" and "Naruto". But soon I became more interested in Japan and Japanese culture. I came to Japan for the first time in 2017. At that time I was spending a week in Kyoto and the impressions I received in that short time remain in my memory. Since then I just wanted to know more about Japan. Many German graduates go abroad for a while after finishing school.
How long do they stay abroad?
About a year.
So a year abroad. I guess many graduates from your school have gone abroad. Where do they spend the year abroad? Mainly in Europe or also in Asia?Yes, also in Asia. Many go to America and Australia. But I think Asian countries are becoming more and more popular. For example Korea, Thailand or Japan. I decided to come to Japan.
Have you ever been to another Asian country?
No, not so far.
So Japan is your first time visiting an Asian country?
Yes, exactly.
How did you get into JARFO?
JARFO has a deep connection to my hometown. JARFO's goal is to promote artists and international exchange. That is why JARFO has been organizing the "Art Rainbow Project" together with the German-Japanese Association in Rostock since 2007.
What does the "Art Rainbow Project" stand for?
"Art Rainbow" means connecting countries and people through art across borders. This project is an annual artist exchange that alternates between Rostock and Kyoto. In 2018 the project was carried out in Rostock. At that time I met Mr. Ishida Jo. At that time I was faced with my last two school years and the question of what to do afterward. During the project, w talked about the possibility that I could do an internship at JARFO after my Graduation. My goal here in Japan is not only to learn the language but also to get to know the history and culture of Japan.
I remembered it. Kira is currently doing her internship at JARFO. After a little music break I want to hear more about it. Kira brought us a song today. Now let's hear the song "Big In Japan", which was released in 1984 by the German pop band "alphaville". Song plays
Let's continue with the second half of the “guest corner”. Kira, what are you doing at your internship?
My internship starts at 11 a.m. First I put out the entrance sign and if necessary vacuum the 1st and 2nd floor of the museum. Then I make coffee for everyone. The employees, therefore, say for fun that “Kiras Coffee Shop” opens every morning. Then I do tasks that have to be done: writing e-mails, greeting guests, etc. I also learn japanese every day for about 2 hours.
Do you answer the phone too?
Taking calls is a bit difficult.
It´s difficult, I understand. It's difficult to talk, isn't it? But can you understand Japanese in general?
This is also difficult, but I'm in the process of improving.
How is it in everyday life?
I generally understand Japanese well in everyday life.
After 7 months, incredible. So you study for 2 hours during the internship. What have you learned so far?
I started with the basics of Hiragana and Katakana and am now learning Kanji. I am currently focusing on reading. However, it is difficult to get used to it, since the German and Japanese pronunciation is very different.
Yes, the pronunciation is different. Of course, it is difficult, after all, you are from another country.
Exactly.
So you can read Hiragana, Katakana and Kanji. The best way to practice this is to learn with texts. You have probably read a few. My next question is: Which text impressed you while studying?
I learned about urushi (lacquer) in a book called “Modern Japanese”. Urushi was discovered by a wasp during the Jomon period. Urushi can be used not only as a color, but also as an adhesive and medicine.
That's incredible. Even many Japanese don't know that for sure. Are there any other interesting texts?
Yes, one was called "volunteer, the first step".
"Volunteer, the first step". What does that mean?
In this text, Kuroyanagi Tetsuko writes about a French poem: "You are born to do something little for other people."
Kuroyanagi Tetsuko wrote this essay, currently, the author is frequently seen on television. So she says that you can do something for other people through voluntary work.
I agree. Immediately after reading this story, I started teaching a child in the neighborhood English.
A neighborhood child? Where do you currently live?
I live near the Teramachi-dori.
Are you teaching English to a child there?
Yes.
How old is the child?
He is 5 years old.
You will certainly not forget this text in your life.
Exactly.
Let's talk again about your internship. What else do you do during your internship? Are you setting up new exhibitions?
Yes, I help with the installation of new exhibitions and for example, also make signs with the titles of the artworks.
It's been 7 months since you came to Japan. Kira, is there a difference between living in Germany and Japan?
Yes, there is. For example, when Japanese people go out to eat, they order many different dishes for everyone. Everyone can eat something from any dish. In Germany, everyone always orders their own food. But when I'm back in Germany, I want to do it with my family. I think it is much better to try different things than just eating one dish.
In Asian countries, it is common for everyone to order together. In Europe, everyone makes their own orders. In Japan, people eat with chopsticks, but because of Corona, it can be dangerous if everyone takes something from the same plate. We have spoken on many different topics, but now we have to come to an end. Kira, when will you be returning to Germany?
I will fly back to Germany on June 10th.
So you stay for about 2 more months. Does your internship also last 2 more months?
No, the internship ends on May 10th.
You have been here for 7 months. Where have you been during this time? Have you been to different places?
Yes, for example, I have been to the Heian Shrine, Nijo Castle and, Fushimi Inari Shrine.
You saw a lot. What did you like most?
I like the Fushimi Inari very much.
So the Fushimi Inari. Kira, thank you for today's interview!
My pleasure!
One last question: when you return to Germany will you go to the University of Rostock?
Yes, I intend to.
What do you want to study there?
I want to study "media and communication".
I understand! I wish you luck! Thanks for today's conversation!
My pleasure!
I hope you liked listening and reading the interview.
次回まで! Jikai made! See you next time! 💕
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