My plan was to write this post about two months ago; however, time has gotten away from me! Which is quite fitting as working as an speech-language pathologist (SLP) in Japan is the topic of this blog post!! Actually, much of the time I would usually spend writing blog posts has been filled with writing speech and language evaluation reports and many therapy progress summary notes!
When we first decided on coming to Japan, I was really nervous about the idea of "giving up my career." Even though it would be only technically be a two-year break - I was worried that everything I had worked so hard for over the past six plus years would just dwindle away. While looking at these thoughts helps me to see how irrational they were - these were the thoughts running through my mind at the time! When I learned that I could legally work part-time in Japan - if I found a job, that is - I began doing a bit of searching...which continuously lead to dead-ends and the realization that it would be really hard to work in a country in which I didn't speak the language. Not to mention, wasn't licensed. Many people (and websites) suggested that I teach English...which I really didn't want to do. I know that my background as an SLP would probably have helped me in this role; however, I just didn't feel qualified to teach people a language that I, myself, didn't always understand! Plus, I had never had the experience of learning a second language (other than a bit of Spanish in high school) - so I was rather clueless on how exactly one could use their primary language knowledge to learn a new language. It's funny to write this now thinking about how much I've learned - and continue to learn - through the process of studying Japanese!
As things often do, a few "shot in the dark" emails just so happened to get the ball rolling! One email connected me to an American SLP in Tokyo, who's been in Japan for more than 30 years. During her time here, she's established a group of foreign (English-speaking) SLPs who work with the rather large international community in Tokyo. We were both excited at the prospect of me joining their team until the reality hit that I would be more than a four-hour drive from Tokyo. And, she didn't know of any therapists working in the Nagoya area. Blerg, back to square one! However, she did have an email for someone at the International School in Nagoya...and suggested I reach out to her. Okay - so not entirely square one!
After many emails and an in-person meeting when we visited in November - it seemed as though there were some students who were in need of speech and language services. However, the school didn't actually have an SLP position. This is very common in the international schools - as it can be quite difficult to employee specialists due to both need and also availability. As it is, many of our students often have to go to Tokyo to meet with psychiatrists, psychologists, neuropsychologists, English-speaking doctors, etc. While Nagoya has a similar percentage of expats to Tokyo - the number of people here is significantly less. And, the presence of an international community is much newer - as it's only been in that last five years that the companies have begun to bring in ICTs.
So, our thoughts were that I would establish myself as a private practice therapist in Nagoya - and I would consult heavily with the International School and possibly other preschools, daycares, and families that I met in the area. Having never technically worked in private practice - getting myself "set up" was a new experience for me. Figuring out fees, realizing that it would be basically impossible to work with insurance companies while abroad, developing a business card (and learning that the information on business cards in Japan needs to be quite different), creating note-taking and billing templates, and trying to wrap my head about the possible speech and language needs of a very, very culturally diverse population...to name just a few! All while on my own - with no veteran SLPs to advise me or coworkers down the hall to collaborate with!
My first few months at the school (since I started in late February and the school year ended in June), were really a time for me to better develop an understanding of the international school world - since I knew absolutely nothing! Plus, other than throughout my graduate internships, I'd never actually worked as an SLP in the school settings...so that was new too! I definitely felt a bit like a fish out of water - not knowing exactly what to do or how to help. I started out by working with a few students who had the types of speech/language difficulties that I was familiar with - and who came from English-speaking families who were familiar with the role of an SLP. These students helped me to settle in...and to realize that once I walked into a session with them - I was back in my element - even if the world around me was strange and unfamiliar.
The more challenging moments came as I began to observe students who spoke one language (let's say Chinese), were being taught in another (English), and who were learning a third (Japanese)...making some of these students at least somewhat proficient in two if not three or four languages! Boy, it sure was in those moments that I realized just how English-centric America can be! Now I had to turn on the cultural and linguistic diversity part on my brain - one that hadn't gotten much practice in the US. I began reading about primary and secondary language development and taking online courses to help me better understand the population I was going to be working with. I began to talk with teachers - and learn about their students. I began to answer questions about typical versus atypical language development. I began to meet with parents and found myself stumbling through attempts to explain exactly what a speech-language pathologist does and how my role differed than that of an English tutor (it's hard enough to explain my job without huge language and cultural differences between me and my communication partner). I tried to reach out to SLPs in Japan to learn more about their schooling, their roles, and their therapeutic views; however, the language barrier made these types of meetings just about impossible to setup. However, I was able to make more and more connections to professionals within the international community.
As the school year came to a close, I'd met several teachers, felt a bit more familiar with the school, and was consistently working with about five students. While five students was significantly less than my caseload at home, I was thrilled with any opportunity to keep my professional mind working! And, along with studying Japanese (which was strengthening my SLP skills by putting me in my client's shoes) and trying to figure out how to live and survive in Japan...I felt that I was developing a bit of structure in my life here.
As summer went on, I was excited to start the school year at NIS. Starting at the beginning - as the students started - would be a totally new experience for me! And, with the timing of our stay in Japan, this year would be my only "full" school year. Within the first few days, I'd learned that most of the students I had worked with the previous year had returned back to their home countries. In the international community, families are constantly coming and going...it really is the epitome of transience. I've quickly realized how difficult it is to plan for students - when you don't know who or when they will arrive! I felt a bit defeated - like the work I had put in the previous year was gone...and I was back at square one. I'll admit, the first few months were rough...new staff and new students made it a bit difficult for me to envision and navigate my role. Would there be students to work with? Were there other ways to support the students, teachers, and families? Would I fit in the school - since I wasn't technically a staff member but I was there two days a week?
Although there were moments in which my ability to be patient tested me, I realized that any chance to keep my SLP brain alive was a blessing! And, as I allowed myself to "go with the flow" just a bit...everything seemed to begin falling into place. And once things started to fall into place, they didn't stop! This year, the space where I spend most of my time is where other student services staff members have their offices - so I've met so many new people to learn from and collaborate with! The school and I have developed a clearer vision of my roles - and we're able to communicate that to families as soon as they arrive. I observe students, talk with teachers, meet with families, conduct assessments, and of course do therapy. And, as the school year draws to a close - my two days at the school are FULL...with just about 15 therapy sessions per week! I'm even beginning to get contacted by other families in the community who've heard about me and want me to assess their children. What started out as simply "keeping my skills up" has evolved (rather quickly) into continuing to learn, shape, and grow my career here! I'm less likely now to tell people that I'm only here in Japan because of Kaz's job...but because of mine too!
Since the topic of this post is "Everyday Differences" - I'd thought I list just a few of the ways my job here is different. While in all reality - there are a lot more similarities than differences.
1. Instead of commuting to work via car and lots of traffic on I-75, I now have to take the subway, then a train, then a bus, and then walk about 10 minutes to get to school! Phew! The whole process takes about 75 minutes - but man, it's sure helped me to quickly desensitize myself to public transport!
2. My job responsibilities are a mixture of those of SLPs in the school setting and private practice - which means that I get to collaborate with teachers and school professionals; but, at the end of the day, I am my own boss and it's my own responsibility to get reports, paperwork, etc. completed and done to the best of my ability.
3. I get to work with my students for at least 45 minutes at a time. And, some of them, I get to work with several times per week. This is amount of time is a dream for any SLP in the schools!
4. While I am not currently working with any students who stutter (something I was originally worried about - as I hope to continue to work with this population in the future), I am growing so much in other areas. I have learned a ton about cultural and linguistic diversity and have really been able to dive into the "hot topic" of language difference versus language disorder.
5. On a daily basis, I am learning and experiencing first-hand the enormous role that culture plays in language and vice versa! Which reinforces even further the importance of cultural sensitivity! Plus, I am working with teachers and professionals from all over the world - so in addition to my worldview expanding in general...I'm learning about the ways in which students are taught and supported all over the world. Man, if everyone could talk with and collaborate with each other - I really do believe we could create an "almost perfect" education and health care system!
6. As I mentioned earlier, the amount of English-speaking resources for families here is much less. So, I can't just write a referral for a student to see a psychologist or an occupational therapist. This can be very frustrating as I often feel as though I can't help to set up everything the student needs. However, these challenges have helped me to think differently - to collaborate more - and to develop a better understanding of what various professionals do. I've also been able to see the school make huge changes to be a more inclusive environment for students with all kinds of needs.
7. While I've always been one to incorporate counseling into my therapy sessions, my conversations with clients and families now include topics like - change, loss of identify, speaking fears, learning a new language, not fitting in, coping with a new place...the list goes on and on! And, I've been able to relate on a whole new level as these are my realities too!
Next week, the school year will end and things will slow down just a bit. Then, when August comes - I'll have just one semester left working here in Nagoya. It's really crazy to think that just as I've really "settled in" to my job here - it will be time to make yet another change. My friend said to me the other day that I'll be an expert on change by the time this is all over...though I'm not sure that's possible!
As I begin to think about what I want my next job to look like, I know that I will be approaching it with more skills and experience than I ever thought possible. More importantly, with the mindset that things take time...and that what something looks like at first glance may not be what it turns out to be. Just another lesson that being in Japan has taught me about patience and persistence. I've got a feeling this won't be the last!
However, the most important thing will be that I'll leave Japan with an even fuller heart and enriched life from the relationships I've formed with professionals, families, and amazing students! And all that they have taught me!
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