Page 50 - FDI Alliance International Magazine Summer 2020 Digital Interactive Issue

›› THE ROLE OF INDIVIDUAL COMMITMENT
IN COMMUNITY AND CULTURE

I have had a lifelong passion to explore and understand different cultures speech. In Japanese. Without a single word of English uttered. I had learned
and communities; to learn how they evolve and survive even through the language. I had dedicated myself to and succeeded in becoming an
challenging times. This passion has led me to travel extensively, and to live effective communicator. I could now also interface with residents and
and work in several countries. I have observed many different cultures, and support small businesses within my neighborhood, and throughout my
have had the good fortune to fully immerse myself in one. travels in Japan. I saw the value that Japanese people place on community,
embraced the concept, and became a part of it. The sense of community
In 2013 I arrived in Tokyo. A new place. A new culture. An unfamiliar that I gained from living and working in Japan showed me the value of
community that I knew nothing about but would eventually come to thinking beyond one’s own needs and focusing on those of others.
understand.
Fast forward to 2020. The coronavirus arrives swiftly, rocks the world and
I was hired by a middle school to teach English. I was the only foreigner. sends it reeling. Chaos. Pure chaos. Nobody knows what to do. Where to
I didn’t know them. They didn’t know me. I didn’t speak Japanese. That start. Hope seems lost…but there is a light shining at the end of the tunnel.
all changed over the course of just three months. During that time, I And it is that sense of community.
learned about, became part of, and supported that community. I attended
extracurricular activities, watched baseball and judo practices, frequented For many, survival during the shutdowns brought about a renewed
band rehearsals and concerts, and went out socially with colleagues. growth of community cohesiveness. Initially, there was a surge of online
I stayed late at work. I worked hard to contribute to and strengthen my purchasing due to fear, caution, and convenience. However, although they
new community and foster genuine connections. I made sure the children have suffered immensely, the ingenuity and adaptation demonstrated by
were learning and growing. Always. Challenging themselves in new and some local businesses have allowed their communities to patronize and
extraordinary ways. Just as I was doing. support them. A new sense of community was created and experienced
by neighborhood residents who found themselves in a common situation.
I learned the Japanese alphabets and characters in order to be able to
communicate effectively. My efforts paid off. Just three months later, I have made it a point to frequent my New York City East Village neighborhood
I confidently stood up in front of the entire staff and faculty and gave a establishments, tipping in higher denominations and in situations where I

50. FDI ALLIANCE INTERNATIONAL