Ai Mizusawa pre-communication sophomore

Sophomore from Japan doesn't know Noh theater, thinks American houses, cars are large

Wildcat: Hi, my name's Nathan and you're On the Spot. In our brief introduction, you mentioned that you're an international student. Where are you from?

Mizusawa: Japan.

Wildcat: Japan? I was just learning about ... what is it? ... Noh theater art in Japan. Have you ever gone to see a Noh play?

Mizusawa: Never.

Wildcat: Are you serious? Is it popular though?

Mizusawa: I think it's kind of a traditional thing, young people don't go there, and it is kind of educational for kids to know Japanese culture.

Wildcat: So why are you over here?

Mizusawa: I'm studying communications.

Wildcat: Oh wow. So, Japan is an island. Do people go chill at the beaches? Do you guys have beaches like we have beaches, like in California, where people go in their swimsuits and their surfboards?

Mizusawa: I think it's pretty much a California beach.

Wildcat: Have you been to California?

Mizusawa: Never. But you know ...

Wildcat: It's dirty water. You've seen it in the movies though, right?

Mizusawa: Japan has a lot of dirty water, especially around Tokyo. That is not a sitting beach. It is more of a port.

Wildcat: So all the kids hang out at the port?

Mizusawa: Sort of.

Wildcat: Is there anything you've seen in America culture-wise that you think is weird or that you found different, strange?

Mizusawa: Not strange ... but in America, everything is big. Yeah, 'cause people are big, and houses and buildings. I was just so -

Wildcat: Are you intimidated by me because I'm taller than you?

Mizusawa: Yeah ... especially cars. People prefer SUVs and big cars.

Wildcat: I drive a Geo Metro. You might like that. It's not even a car. It's like, half a car. It's a fast go-cart.