Kids living in countries outside the United States of America have many interesting impressions of America.During the first year of my teaching in Japanese primary schools in Yamanashi-ken, Japan children often yelled,"Joe! -- Micheal JO-rdan." I guess that they make some connection between the sound of my name, "JO," and the sound "JO" in Jordan. Another interesting example occured during lunch one day, when a sixth grade boy sitting at my table whispered to his friend that my eyes were brown and not blue.They both studied my eyes closely and verified again that my eyes were in fact brown and not blue! Another common question students of all ages asked me during my first year teaching was whether or not I carry a pistol wherever I go!

  Our exchange projects with American students in California and Ohio and our on-line adventures in northern Georgia may add a different reality to these absurd visions of America.

E-mail Exchanges between Japanese and American students.

During the Spring of 1997 we exchanged e-mail with students in California and Ohio, and began to discover that America was indeed a mix of many peoples. The kids in California with whom we exchanged were new immigrants from Asian countries. These new Americans from India, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, and Japan told us of their fears of moving and having to learn English. You can see samples of our e-mail exchanges with California and Ohio.