Minorities Studying Abroad?

[guzophela]

Hi! I'm a high school sophmore and I'm applying for a Japan exchange program through ASSE. I've never been to Japan, but from what I've heard they look down on women (somewhat) and have problems with dark gaijin in particular. I'm hispanic and black, plus I'm fat with big breasts so will I have to worry about being harassed, etc? I'm pretty tall (5

Comments

[breau]

As long as you have a thick skin, you'll be able to handle anything they could say to you. I am not exactly a model figure (uhh.. size 18) and while my breasts aren't as large as they used to be (reduction done a while ago), I still got harassed somewhat. I had WOMEN grabbing my boobs and exclaiming how big they were and how they wish they had them.. if that type of thing makes you uncomfortable, be prepared. People will most likely tell you you need to lose weight or become obsessed with what you eat and how much

[wendye]

People WILL stare and comment no matter your size or color. My first roommate and I went to an onsen once, and between her giant black breasts and my big cuban culo, I think the other women there had whiplash from staring.

I have been felt up by kids a time or two, but never adults.

I ditto what the above poster says - it's THEM, not YOU.

Fat, Caucasian Yakuza at Onsen.. ?

[breau]

Try having large breasts, being a bit "fat", and having tattoos alongside of being caucasian.

Onsens made me nervous at first, but my Japanese friends didn't care, so neither did I.. those are definitely a serious trial for self-esteem as you have nothing to hide behind - unless you have a large washcloth. LOL.

Re: Fat, Caucasian Yakuza at Onsen.. ?

[she_rambles]

I'm surprised you were allowed in with the tattoos! One of my male students once booked a man-to-man lesson, specifically to focus on language for politely asking foreigners to refrain from certain behaviours in the onsen, how to tell them tattoos are forbidden (or need to be covered up), and a heap of other stuff. He worked at a popular onsen and apparently they kept getting tattooed foreigners, and the management had decided it would be his job to tell them they had to leave (though his way of compromising was by telling them to hide the tattoos).

Re: Fat, Caucasian Yakuza at Onsen.. ?

[breau]

How exactly do you hide tattoos in an onsen? LOL.. that is something I'd like to know!

Besides, I really got my largest one once I'd come back to Canada.. so that probably helped anyway!

[zenhansei]

One of my friends is black and he made it through the whole year without too many problems. One of my other friends had huge breasts and did get grabbed, but only by other girls her age, who were envious. I know two AETs who are about 5'8" on the chunky side and have large(er) breasts and while there have been a few comments about weight, it's not any different from the US.

What I seem to have noticed is this: you're a foreigner and while you're a woman, you're a foreigner first. I have only been asked to serve tea once (and that was from my friend, who was heavily pregnant at the time and needed help carrying 20+ loaded cups up the stairs) and I have never been asked to help cook side dishes for the parties. Of course, I'm in a smallish town right now, so maybe people are politer. But they will still try to set you up with someone, no matter what. x.x

[murk3y]

Just want to say that I'm applying to go to Japan next year with ASSE, too!

[she_rambles]

I have big boobs, but most of my gropings (and there were quite a few) came from women my age (and in one instance, the girl let me feel her 'tail' in exchange!). There was one instance one some old, drunk businessman asked for a photo with me and tried to grab my boob for the pic, but I smacked him one and made a big scene at the platform. Not that anyone did anything, mind you, but it certainly gave him a (very satisfying) fright.