I've been in Canada for 9 month and I only have 2 and a half months left to go. Right now, I am having the hardest time of my life. That is the Cultural Difference. This is stressing me out everyday. One day, I had to video chat with my teacher in Japan about how I was doing in Canada. At that time, my hair was brown. I thought it was okay to dye my hair in Canada, but I guess it wasn't. When my teacher saw my hair, she got mad and told me to cut my hair as soon as possible. I couldn't believe it. I'm in a place where dying the hair is allowed and still, I can't dye my hair? Because I'm from a school that doesn't allow dying? That is crazy!! I bet Japan is the strictest country in the world. They think dying your hair is a bad thing. My teacher told me that it is not good for the school image. Wow, they care about the school and not the students? I just don't want to go back. I never thought about cultural differences affecting my life this much. I think it's because I'm not a typical Japanese. I used to live in the United States for 4 years when I was young and the life in the US has changed me a lot. When I arrived in Canada, I felt like coming back to home. I thought Canada was my home country. My family, friends, I was having a fantastic time with them and suddenly, because of my hair colour, back to reality. I want to enjoy the rest of my time in canada but because of this, I'm stressed everyday and having a tough time. Ryunosuke M
26 Comments
Nevada
11/4/2019 10:38:55 am
I think this was very brave of you to post. I want to thank you for sharing this because I had absolutely no idea that cultural differences play such a big part in the life of an international student.
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Izzy Schmitz
11/4/2019 10:40:46 am
Wow. I can’t imagine how hard that must be for you. Very overwhelming, I got the idea they are trying to control you from back home , while you are here. Very unfair and upsetting . I’m happy for you that you felt like coming home when you came to Canada. Try to enjoy the rest of your time here before you go back .
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Amelie
11/4/2019 10:42:19 am
I do agree, I'm from Europe and the rules are totally different than here in Canada, its alot less strick, less stressful, but the difference between both are crazy. To be honest what I'd do in the amount of time you have left is to do as much as possible and enjoy ever second, no matter what vibes come and go!
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cameron
11/4/2019 10:43:29 am
i find it intersesting on how such a small thing can have such a big impact on someones life. especially from someone that is so far away
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madison stalling
11/4/2019 10:43:54 am
canada is great place to be, most people are prettty relaxed about your appearance. i hope when you go back to japan you can enjoy your life their. come back to canada soon.
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Georgia
11/4/2019 10:44:19 am
Thanks for sharing, I know that it’s hard to be vulnerable and to write something like this that is obviously real. I don’t even know what to say because this is really sad. It’s very shocking that your school would act like that and not let you dye your own hair
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Emilie
11/4/2019 10:44:26 am
I like your blog, because you bring your emotions in the blog. Another point why I like the blog is that I never before think about this topic and how different cultures can be.
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Emily
11/4/2019 10:44:29 am
I personally really like your block. You are letting us be kind of part of your personal struggle. My home country is not as strict but I still can relate to what you are saying and how you must feeling. So I am actually feeling pretty bad for you because I don't think I can help you or at least I have no idea how to help you or make you feel better.
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Matthew Fayle
11/4/2019 10:44:45 am
wow, I can't imagine not being able to do something so small like changing your hair because your school doesn't like it. This reminds me of how fortunate I am to go to a great school and that I can decide what I want to look like and wear. Best of luck with your situation, thanks for sharing.
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albuna
11/4/2019 10:45:35 am
the cultural difference sounds super hard to try and keep up with, especially since your trying to balance 2 diffrent ones.
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riley
11/4/2019 10:46:55 am
I can't beleive your teacher back home wanted you to cut your hair because of the colour! I couldn't imagine having to cut my hair because of the colour and how that would reflect on my school back home. Your hair is something that shapes you as a person, to have that taken away is very hard. I wish you the best. I hope you enjoy the rest of your stay in this wonderful country.
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henri rosemeyer
11/4/2019 10:47:42 am
great blog. I'm an international student too. Even though i'm from Germany and the cultures of Canada and Germany are pretty similar, this could definitely happen to me too. In my opinion you should enjoy the time you got left here and make the best of it when you go back to japan.
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Shirley Huang
11/4/2019 10:47:54 am
As an international student, cultural difference is also a problem that bothers me for a long time. But I still think that is the reason why I choose to go aboard. I think cultural differences are attractive. But I still think that we need to face cultural differences positively and respect different cultures.
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Alexa Kusel
11/4/2019 10:48:05 am
It was surprising to see the difference of the education system in Japan compared to here in Canada. It's interesting that being around different cultures and places can affect/change a person. Thank you for sharing your perspective.
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Maya Arnold
11/4/2019 10:48:24 am
This was a very well written blog and it really made me think about how schools all over the world have different ideas as to what is culturally appropriate. I really hope you enjoy the remainder of your time here in Canada and best of luck when you go back to Japan!
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Maya S
11/4/2019 10:49:43 am
Thank you for sharing. That post took a lot of courage. I was really touched by the thoughts and emotions you are going through. I never would be able to go the program you did. You are really brave! I suggest you try and focus on making this a trip you will never forget, and when time comes, deal with the consequences. But for now, have fun, don't stress!
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Brianna
11/4/2019 10:50:32 am
Thanks for sharing your insightful story! It's interesting to see how these two countries can have such different principles for small things like the colour of someones hair. It really shows the cultural difference between them.
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Kaelen
11/4/2019 10:50:54 am
I can exactly understand your mood. China is also similar situation, unwilling to accept accepting new things, 100% high school held by government don't allow dye hair. But in my opinion, we're free to do ti in Canada, a high school which not have role about hair colour.
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natalie
11/4/2019 10:51:03 am
I think you should enjoy your time while your here and forget about all the negative vibes. i hope you get to come back one day!
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Janeva
11/4/2019 10:53:20 am
Very well written blog! I totally empathize with cultural differences. Though I was born and raised in Canada, I am of Indian descent. The life I live in Canada is entirely variant to that of which I'd live in India, had I been living there. There are many cultural appropriations which differ between the western and south asian cultures. Sometimes, it can be hard to adjust to theses differences; my advice is to stick with it and find yourself. Keep being you!
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Olivia Kwiatkowski
11/4/2019 10:53:38 am
Wow, this is crazy! I'm so sorry that this is the response you got from your teacher. You definitely don't need an extra stesser right now- you are in a new country experiencing completely different things than you are used to. I've never been an international student but am very interested in how international students feel in Canada and I really want them to feel welcomed and like they belong. I really hope the rest of your time here goes better- you deserve it! I would say to try and embrace the rest of your time here and try your best to let go of these stresses you don't need to carry! I know it sounds easier than it is.
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belle
11/4/2019 10:53:48 am
I think every international students have the same pressure with you. Just like me, Im really stressed when I saw my dad's reaction after he saw my pictures from Halloween. Like, crazy makeups on my face, weird expression and actions I made. But i think, it just takes some times, or just talk to them that , this is not bad, it's just from a different culture.
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Rookie Han
11/4/2019 10:55:15 am
I am very sympathetic to your feelings. I am also an international student from China. All Chinese high schools are required to wear school uniforms every day. The shoes must be black or gray. The male students’ hair can’t grow longer than the neck. Can't be scattered, you have to get it up. Of course, the dyeing head is also not allowed. Cultural differences can't be avoided. I think you should enjoy the time you can study in Canada, don't care about the outside influence, and don't have pressure.
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Janaka
11/4/2019 10:58:00 am
This is a very strong written blog. Different schools all over the world have different views on what is appropriate to wear in school. Everybody wants to express themselves by clothing, hair dye, nail polish and etc. Schools should encourage their students to express who they are in a appropriate manor. Allowing students to express themselves in a safe environment will give them confidence in who they are as individuals.
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beatrice
11/4/2019 11:01:54 am
i really like your blog; i think it shows the situation of different international students. My home country is not as strict, but even there things like colouring you hair are not looked upon favourably, so i completely understand you.
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Lianne
9/28/2023 02:07:21 pm
I really like this blog. It's a more personal topic and it's an easy read. I had known previously that many Japanese students were not allowed to dye their hair, however I did not think that they could be entitled to monitor somebody's hair colour while overseas. I love the amount of freedom I get in Canada and recognize myself as a very lucky individual. I hope sometime in the future, you'll be able to dye your hair any colour you want, without being estranged or frowned upon. While reading I also found myself feeling empathetic, and it really allowed me to see the cultural differences between Japan and Canada.
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