Jandals in Japan

Building Bridges as a Kiwi in Japan: Sean O'Connell on Intercultural Communication


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If you are a long term resident in Japan and consider yourself to be a cultural bridge builder, then this episode is a must listen for you. Sean O’Connell, Professor and Director of the International Center at Nanzan University, is about to drop some gold nuggets in your lap on how you can ace being an even better cross-cultural bridge builder. This is the jandal you have been looking for. 

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If you enjoyed this episode and it inspired you in some way, we’d love to hear about it and know your biggest takeaway. Head over to Apple Podcasts to leave a review and we’d love it if you would come and say hi (or Kia Ora or Konnichi Wa!) over on @jandalsinjapan on Instagram.

In this episode you’ll hear:

  • How the Karate Kid kicked off Sean’s interest in the martial arts and the Japanese language
  • Sean’s tips for also successfully interpreting feeling and nuance between Japanese and English counterparts
  • The biggest culture shock moment for people new to business in Japan
  • Bringing Sean’s skills in bridge building to life at his bar, The Hungry Moose
  • Why Sean loves the Jandals in Japan Podcast! 

About Sean

Sean has a passion for bridging cultures, and has spent decades (30+ years in Japan alone) immersed in Japanese language, business, and the like. After an exchange year in Yokohama in 1986, he earned a BA in Japanese, an MA in Advanced Japanese Studies, and a PhD in Intercultural Business Communication. Sean’s career has taken him from guiding and managing Japanese tours in New Zealand, and business interpreting and translation in Japan to corporate training, where he specialises in preparing expats and fostering multicultural teamwork.

Sean is a Professor and Director of the International Center at Nanzan University in Nagoya. In his free time you can find him at the bar he co-founded, The Hungry Moose. 

Connect with Sean

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SOCNAGOYA 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sean-o-connell-8294b071/ 

Links:

The Hungry Moose: https://www.thehungrymoose.jp/en 


Jandals in Japan is brought to you by Catherine O’Connell Law and PodLaunch with Jayne


Connect with Jayne and Catherine

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/jandals-in-japan-podcast/ 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jandalsinjapan/ 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jandalsinjapan 

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@jandalsinjapan 

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Jandals in JapanBy Jayne Nakata & Catherine O'Connell


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