[jasonbvr]

Since I have the time to, I'll give you a basic idea of what it is like to be a punk, I mean a'hole, I mean kid in Japan's schools. My perspective is that of these kid's ALT. Anyways, let's start with the chu.

That is ALT speak for chugakkou, jr high. Let's start with the ichinensei, life as an ichinensei is pretty exciting. You are in a brand new school with new teachers and pimping your new threads (uniforms). You get to actually ride a bike to school now whereas in sho (elementary) you had to walk. You still have to wear your safety helmet, but at least you are not walking to school anymore. You get to join a club and learn from your senpai (seniors). Basketball, baseball, etcetera, are you basic choices for clubs. Being in a club takes up pretty much all of your time outside of studying. I am not exaggerating either. From the time you join the club to August of your last year, you live for club. Before and after school a lot of clubs meet for practice. During the weekends and the holidays, you come to school or go to the parks and gyms for games and practice.

Next, ninensei. As a 2nd grader at chu, you are in the sweetest position. You are no longer the awkward little ichinensei you were last year, but you are not a stressed out 3rd grader. Ninensei, in my opinion, are the loudest and most disruptive. There is pressure on them to know more than an ichinensei, but they still don't have to all work and no play like san. They go to club everyday and enjoy the benefits of being over the ichinensei.

Sannensei, they may rule in the case seniority and enjoy certain privileges of more responsibility and perks, but their life sucks. After August, you are not even allowed to go to club. After school and on the weekends, you can join a team on your own. But as far as the school's clubs, you are forbidden. Why? They have to study for the high school entrance exam. After their summer trip, summer tournaments and a little bit of vacation in August, they are doomed to slave away for their tests in January. You will get two or three chances to pass this test for high school. After that, you have to wait a year before you get the chance to go to high school.

I could complain, I mean write, more about Japanese education, but I'll save it for another day.