It’s Monday and I wake up too early – 5AM. It must be first-day jitters. I have three hours to kill and I’m feeling antsy in the hotel room with nothing to keep me company but Japanese cable television, so I decide to try my luck at a neighborhood run – let’s just hope I don’t get lost. The morning air is already thick with humidity as I set out on the streets, but I’m so taken by the cityscape that I hardly notice. I keep my GPS-enabled phone in hand the whole time – you know, just in case – and although I’m typically directionally challenged, I somehow stumble across one of the top places on my Nagoya sight-seeing list – the Atsuta Jingu shrine, which was built over 1900 years ago.
I stand back and take in the view, admiring a few locals in what I assume to be a Shinto prayer ritual. They drop a coin in the collection box and then bow, rise, pause, clap (exactly twice), take a moment of silence, then resume their morning. I’ll have to ask a colleague about what it all means.
I head back and freshen up before meeting with Imai-san. I feel calm now, ready to take on the day, the pesky worries at bay. Turns out a good run can work wonders no matter what country you’re in. We head towards Horita Station, thankfully a few stops away, and although it’s far less busy than Kanayama, I’m relieved to see that everything is a few minutes’ walk from the station: a supermarket, my dormitory, the Brother office, and of course – a 7/11.
We’re greeted by Kaneko-san at Momozono Dormitory, who shows me around, and hands me my room key as well as a Brother ID badge – this will be my lifeline: it swipes you into every Brother building, the cafeterias, the satellite offices in other locations, and of course – my dorm! The room is small, as expected, but I’m actually quite surprised by the amenities – basic kitchen appliances, utensils, my own bathroom (divided into 2 rooms), a washer, blow dryer, balcony, futon bed, small desk, vacuum, iron, and plenty of closet space. I think living in it full-time would be a challenge, but for a 3 month stay it has everything that I need. I promise to make a full post of my dorm at a later date, complete with pictures.
The Office
The walk is brief, but boy is this heat something – it seems that Nagoya is in fact a different kind of melting pot. We pass a number of Brother buildings before heading to the main office – an R&D facility, the Brother museum (a future post will detail this awesome place), Mizuho Factory, the Brother Hospital, and of course – the main office: 6 floors, housing around 300 office employees.
HR is located on the third floor: I swipe my ID to get in (I told you this thing is key to life here), and am greeted by an echo of ecstatic faces – everyone is so excited to see me! I’m lucky enough to be the second only trainee in HR (the first from China several years ago), and as I look around the room I get excited to think about all the awesome memories I’ll make with my colleagues here. I hope they don’t mind being featured in this blog!
After a series of “hajimemashite” introductions and business card exchanges (a ritual in and of itself), I’m shown to my seat in the Recruiting area. I’m greeted by a “Welcome to Japan Fil-san” – a nice touch – and, if you look closely, you’ll catch a glimpse of the Strategic Culture Drivers, a little touch of the USA I brought over to make my space feel more like home.
My first day is a bit of a blur, and as I struggle to remember everyone’s names (imagine meeting 20+ people in one day), I have to mention how amazingly helpful, welcoming, and kind everyone is. Despite my extremely limited Japanese, my team does their best to communicate with me. Pro Tip: A smile and a laugh goes a long way.
I learn about HR’s structure, my allowance schedule and upcoming project deadlines, as well as instructions to get to my Japanese lessons – three train stations away – through a series of printed PowerPoint slides. Thank goodness for the iPhone Map app.
Lunch is at the company cafeteria, where I pick up a bento for less than 400 yen (roughly 4 dollars). Afterwards, I’m given my first task: introduce myself to the whole HR department (about 50 people), solely in Japanese. I tell them a little about my job in the US, my age (a standard conversation topic), my joy to be in Japan, how long I’ve been studying the language, and that I look forward to working with everyone. Good thing I practiced – Imai-san gives me a thumbs up.
After lunch, I head to my first Japanese lesson at IC Nagoya near Nagoya Station, somehow managing not to get lost, and I’m given a test that I clearly fail – after an expression of disappointment from my sensei,it looks like I’m starting at the basics. A bit discouraging being that I’ve been studying since March, but I don’t let it set me back too much – I’m here to learn as much as I can.
Dinner is with the whole team at an izakaya, a traditional Japanese restaurant where you order a series of dishes to share, chasing with nothing other than beer and sake. I try the most delicious array of Japanese food (Kaarage, tamago yaki, octopus, sashimi in vinegar, and roasted pork) and cheers my team with an authentic Kanpai! – one word I’ve certainly mastered by now. My colleagues compliment my chopstick skills (the breakfast practice paid off), and we talk about must-see attractions in Nagoya and the surrounding area – Kyoto, Osaka, Gero, Hakone, and of course – Tokyo. I head home in a wonderful mood feeling extremely welcomed and grateful for having a fantastic team.
So much else has happened so far but don’t worry, I’ll be sure to Fil you in – stay tuned for most posts. If only I had more time to write!
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Phrase of the Day
お疲れ様です (otsukare sama deshita)
Translation: You are tired.
What It Really Means: This phrased is said often around the office, typically used to tell a colleague that you appreciate their hard work. You say it often in the office after a job well done or at the end of the day, when parting.
Fil You In 