Quote:
Originally Posted by Henbaka
Totally forgot this thread. Anyways.
First of all, like I said, It's up to HIM, and we can't and shouldn't try and make decisions for an adult (which I consider people over 18 to be).
Yes you are a guest of the Univ. And you also represent your home Univ. if you're an exchange student. I get all that. But for a guy over 18 to drink a few beers now and then, common sense tells me that is OK as long as he doesn't act a fool, neglects his studies, etc.
Therefore _I_ think that its kinda bs to say "if you drink at all, we'll kick you out". That may or may not be a reality over there, but to me it's wrong.
Also, about my statement that university=partying.. You can preach all you want, but you know it's true. Sure you learn stuff, but a large part of it is having a good time. That's true in all universities all over the world (Japan no exception). I met quite a few of univ. students when I was in Tokyo, which were partying even harder than I was (I was not a univ. student back then).
Anyways, whatever really. I'd say like others here; "be smart about it". Personally I think you'll be fine as long as you keep it on a good level, i.e. don't get mad wasted, instead chill with a few cold ones...
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I respect your opinion, and think it valid, and mostly agree with it, but in this kind of situation your opinion and my opinion mean nothing compared to the opinion of the hosts that invited and brought you to Japan.
So the reality is that no, it isn't about HIM and what kind of experience he wants to have, because if his hosts thought that he shared your opinion that university=partying I guarantee they wouldn't have given him a ticket.
People often make the mistake of thinking that "being invited" to be a part of something in Japan means that you are a "guest", and get this Westernized thinking that "the customer is always right". A university student invited to participate in a program in Japan shouldn't think of himself as a guest, but as an employee. It's a two-way street. The university offers things to him, and in turn, he offers things to the university.
You may consider an 18-year-old to be an adult, but in Japan, the age is 20.
And you aren't representing your home university. You are representing your Japanese university. That's how it works over there. If you don't like that system, then Japan isn't the place to party your university days through.
I know Japanese university students party, but when you are a international student, you might be held to a different standard. This "I'll do whatever I wanna do" attitude doesn't fly, and you figure that out week 1. Be cool, be sly, and be smart.