Diane Cahill, Reflections

I started working with Chubu through the visiting professor program. Part of my role at the Center for International Studies was to support the incoming professor from Chubu. My first professor was Nobuyuki Kawauchi. We could only speak with gestures and minimal words since his English was in the ‘needs more practice’ phase and my Japanese was in the ‘needs to start learning’ phase (i.e., non-existent). I felt frustrated with myself that I could not bridge the communication gap in the way that I felt he needed. Of course, he was here to practice his English so…we muddled through. I remember one day we were walking together on Union Street and as we walked, I was thinking about how kindness and caring exuded from him, even if I could not communicate well with words. He reminded me (without knowing he was doing this) that I can do better to share my internal kindness and caring through non-verbal means. I have carried this lesson since that time and think of it often. Additionally, I was also reminded that even those that are caring, and kind can also have a little spice and spunk! Professor Kawauchi came into my office toward the end of his visit. We started trying to talk through what he needed, and he stopped, sighed the biggest ‘I am done’ sigh and said, “Diane, I am so tired of trying to speak English!” Another valuable lesson that I need to remember; adjusting to life in another country is hard work and those of us welcoming new arrivals need to be patient as well as kind and caring. Thank you, Prof Kawauchi!