Interviewer: Jane, you've recently returned from Japan. How long did you live there?

Jane: For five years.

Interviewer: And why did you go to Japan in the first 21?

Jane:Well, a Japanese exchange student was living with my family, and he got me interested in going to Japan. He encouraged me 一 22一 to get a teaching job there and even offered me a place to stay until I found an apartment—at his mother's house in Tokyo.

Interviewer: So you went?

Jane: I did. When I arrived his mother was very helpful, but she didn't speak much English and I didn't speak any 23 .We managed to communicate, somehow, with gestures and mime, or sometimes we would both use dictionaries.

Interviewer: In what ways is life in Japan —24— from life in the United States?

Jane:In just about every aspect. A big change was using public transportation in Tokyo instead of a car. Trains, subways, and other transportation in Japan are very good, though crowded. You get used 一 25一 more often, because, without a car, you have to carry your groceries home. But I was really glad to be rid of my car. Another thing is the low crime rate in Tokyo and other big cities in Japan. I always felt —26— and never worried about crime. That's pretty unusual in almost any big city in the world today.

Interviewer: Did you have any difficulties adjusting?

Jane: Well, at the beginning it was hard not knowing the language. At first I learned survival Japanese, so I could get by in everyday situations, but anything technical was difficult for me to understand. I took classes, but it was slow going, and I didn’t always express myself because I was afraid of —27— mistakes. I wish I had taken more risks一I would probably have learned the language faster. Another thing I had to get used to was living in a culture where the majority of people looked different from me. I knew I'd always be an —28— in some ways.

Interviewer: What about Japanese food?

Jane: Overall, the diet there is a healthy one-low fat. Oh, there were many Japanese specialties that I liked, and others that I didn't like so much. The food wag very different, but I didn't expect to eat American style. there. I expected to eat Japanese style. and though,—29— Japanese products. I think Japanese food preparation takes a long time and I didn't have a lot of time to prepare food, so much of my experience comes from eating in restaurants.

Interviewer: What advice would you give to someone going to live overseas for the first time?

Jane: Do some of the things I didn't do: Before you go, read as much as you can. Find out about the culture, the customs, the holidays, the traditions. Learn a little bit of the language if you can and the way people express politeness. Be flexible. Living in another culture is like seeing the world through a new pair of glasses—at first everything—30—confusing. But if you keep your eyes open,eventually everything becomes clear. Unfortunately, a lot of people just close their eyes.

21. A. place B. idea C. opinion D. view

22. A. try B. to try C. trying D. to trying

23. A. Chinese B. English C. Japanese D. Spanish

24. A. differ B. different C. the same D.differentiate

25. A. to shopping B. shopping C. go shopping D.to shop

26. A. good B. happy C. easy D.safe

27. A. make B. to make C. making D. doing

28. A. visitor B. passenger C. passers-by D.outsider

29. A. buying B. to buying C. to buy D.bought

30. A. look B. looks C. is looked D. is looking