The Foreign Exchange Program

In this episode, Akane and Sadie discuss things that may stand out to tourists visiting Japan, but ultimately seem inconsequential, or may even go completely unnoticed by the people living there.

Like what you hear? Want to request a topic for us to discuss? You can send us an email, message us on our Instagram, or leave a comment for us on Spotify. We hope you enjoy!

Email: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected] ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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

In this episode, we continue our conversation about major holidays in our countries. In part one, Akane shared all about Japanese New Year, or Shogatsu. This time, Sadie shares details about Christmas traditions and iconography she's been wondering about.

Like what you hear? Want to request a topic for us to discuss? You can send us an email, message us on our Instagram, or leave a comment for us on Spotify. We hope you enjoy!

Email: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected] ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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

In part 1 of this two-part episode, Akane breaks down the traditions and details of Japanese New Year. From how to decorate, to what to eat, and what activities people do to ring in the new year.

Like what you hear? Want to request a topic for us to discuss? You can send us an email, message us on our Instagram, or leave a comment for us on Spotify. We hope you enjoy!

Email: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected] ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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

In this episode, Akane quizzes Sadie's listening skills with some phrases that are 100% in Japanese, but sound like they could be English. This was a really fun challenge to try. How did you do on the quiz? Were you able to guess any of the phrases correctly?

Phrases Used:

“Sing a song.”「寝具破損」

“Feel so bad!”「冬そば」

“I need you.”「兄、移住」

"It's cool."「いつ食う？」

"See you again."「親友はゲン 」

"What time is it now?"「掘った芋いじんな」

"What can I see?" 「稚内市」

"Ah, hold me tight.”「阿呆みたい」

"How much?"「はまち」

“It's my tie.”「いつも会いたい」

Like what you hear? Want to request a topic for us to discuss? You can send us an email, message us on our Instagram, or leave a comment for us on Spotify. We hope you enjoy!

Email: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected] ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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

Previously, we discussed recess games and video games. To continue the games saga, in this episode, Akane and Sadie take turns introducing and reminiscing about popular board games they played growing up.

Like what you hear? Want to request a topic for us to discuss? You can send us an email, message us on our Instagram, or leave a comment for us on Spotify. We hope you enjoy!

Email: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected] ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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

In this episode, Akane and Sadie finally dedicate an episode to katakana words, or loan words from other languages that are borrowed into Japanese. We each share some words and discuss if these words carry a different meaning or usage than their non-Japanese counterparts.

List of words we discuss:

Like what you hear? Want to request a topic for us to discuss? You can send us an email, message us on our Instagram, or leave a comment for us on Spotify. We hope you enjoy!

Email: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected] ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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

In this episode, Sadie and Akane talk through what attending driving school and driving in general can be like in Japan. If you're interested in doing the same, we hope you find this episode useful!

**If you are living in Japan and would like to buy the driving textbook referenced in this episode, you can find it here. **

Like what you hear? Want to request a topic for us to discuss? You can send us an email, message us on our Instagram, or leave a comment for us on Spotify. We hope you enjoy!

Email: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected] ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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

In this episode, Akane and Sadie discuss what the different generations are in their respective countries and how these various generations are categorized.

Like what you hear? Want to request a topic for us to discuss? You can send us an email, message us on our Instagram, or leave a comment for us on Spotify. We hope you enjoy!

Email: ⁠⁠⁠[email protected] ⁠⁠⁠

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

In this episode, we revisit our first episode topic "Intenet Slang" and explore it as a 2024 version. How many of them do you know? Do you use them in your daily life?

Like what you hear? Want to request a topic for us to discuss? You can send us an email, message us on our Instagram, or leave a comment for us on Spotify. We hope you enjoy!

Email: ⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected] ⁠⁠⁠⁠

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

In this episode, we talk about a topic that is honestly quite surprising we've never really touched on until now: beverages! Akane talks about some American drinks that stood out to her throughout her time living in the US and Sadie does the same for Japanese drinks. Are there any drinks you've tried while visiting a foreign country that you ended up either really liking or really disliking?

Like what you hear? Want to request a topic for us to discuss? You can send us an email, message us on our Instagram, or leave a comment for us on Spotify. We hope you enjoy!

Email: ⁠⁠⁠[email protected] ⁠⁠⁠

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