Is it normal that i want to be of another nationality sometimes?

I'm wondering if this is normal among teens like me? It's mostly because of school and the people living here that I don't really like. I think the education system is too stressful for students to handle. I've asked some of my friends this question: "Do you want to be Japanese?"

And they've all said that they'd rather be that than what they are now. I don't know if it seems too extreme or an identity crisis to you but it's always on my mind and no one I talk to would really understand how I feel. I want to lead a fun and non-stressful student life but at the same time, be able to find a good job and to make nice friends.

I feel the students here are too stressed because of all the pressure parents, teachers and relatives put on exams and studies. If students don't meet our relatives' standards we'll be looked down upon. Parents sometimes resort to caning their children.

Secondly, the people who live here and their attitudes. Sometimes we can be very frustrated and always on the go. For example, if you went to the grocery store you won't get even a smile from the cashier.

I just feel so lost and worried about what to do. It's my dream to be able to study in Japan but I know that will never come true. My parents dislike me to even bring up anything on Japan or about Japanese culture. The country I live in now do not organise exchange student programmes at all. So I have no hope of even going there to visit a school. I don't know if I appear too selfish and not contented with life but I want to study there so much that I want to cry sometimes. My parents won't really understand my problem because they will just get angry at me for even thinking about this and they will never bring it up again. And when I ask, they don't even have a reason. I like to learn new languages and cultures. I sometimes feel that I want to migrate to another country with my family nd live there forever but that will never happen as my parents have normal jobs here and would never quit them. Maybe this is too common and you've heard of this kind of thing before?

I hope you'll be able to understand me and please try to give me good advice on what I should do in order to achieve my dream. Thank you!

Voting Results
90% Normal
Based on 82 votes (74 yes)
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Comments ( 18 )
  • GoraIntoDesiGals

    It's totally normal and even what I've always wanted to but japan of all countries? It's a very stressful country too where suicide rates are among the highest in the world. Maybe you've got a romantic idea from mangas or ancient japan or something?

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  • Weaboo bitch

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  • muneko

    America is fuckin stressfull

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  • fictionalgirl

    Ok so i used to live and study in Japan.
    First of all, if you want to go to another country because your life in your own country is too stressful, then.. DON'T.
    Your life is 100% NOT going to be any easier if you move to another country. You will feel lonely and lost, trust me. And if you're not even strong enough to deal with your own homeland, then a strict, cramped, expensive, fast-paced country like japan is probably not the thing for you.
    School life in Japan is very very tough on the students. They are always expected to do well and they study a lot and have many tests. On my way to school i often saw other students walking and reading their school books! Japanese school life is also very strict and to be honest, boring. You just sit on your chair and listen to the teacher without saying anything and being asked anything most of the time.
    But hey, i'm not here to just say bad things about Japan, i love Japan! The people are absolutely awesome and there are so many things to see. But.. the schools are pretty damn boring!

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  • reneerenee

    I'm half Czech and my other half is fillipino and Vietnamese. Nothing special about being Asian.... Japan is very strict, you have to learn Japanese, its expensive, cramped, etc.. I'm sure theres good things but there are other cultures in our world. Plus, most Asian men are not very attractive, until they come to America where they somehow get taller and more beefy...

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    • fictionalgirl

      Lol whaat, there are lots of hot guys in Japan.

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    • The Asian men thing is a TOTAL stereotype. I know a lot of guys that are really hot.

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  • lululu

    i'm italian and i always wanted to live in america cuz in italy education sistem is awful...we spend a lot of time sitting on a chair , listening to a teacher who is unable to do his work and makes his students get bored.
    besides we don't even have school trips cuz there are not enough funds. our scholastic buildings are falling down cuz they're too old and need to be rebuild...we spend a lot of money to buy books and scholastic materials like chalks , pencils, pens, rubbers and rulers cuz we don't get anything from our schools

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  • Karategurl

    I would love to go to school in Japan as well, but the downside is that there is so much pressure on students to do well that there is a high suicide rate. :/ There is a lot of competition in schools.

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  • worriedbro

    I've been to Japan and studied the language for 3 months. The country is beautiful, culture is great, people are very nice, helpful and well-mannered. However they hide their feelings and are extremely strict with following laws and rules. Besides there is a huge pressure at school, they have very long hours, a lot of homework, exams and great competition. Parents, teachers and the whole society put pressure on children since the primary school, so they'll enter a good junior high school, then an even better high school and prep schooling during the exam year, so they'll score high on national exams, so they'll enter a good university to have guaranty of a good job in the future. Japanese are extremely hard-working during all stages of life. These pressures lead to a lot of depressions and suicides (highest rate of the world). Furthermore Japanese are strict with accepting foreign students and employees and universities are very expensive. Plus you must speak the language as good as a Japanese to enter university. I would advise you to follow a summer course of Japanese language and culture or something similar, for example in Tokyo. But consider all options well before you decide to study full-time at university there. Mainly if you don't like study pressures etc.

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    • noodle76

      idiot. japan dosent have highest suicide rate! CHINA however, omg. did you know someone commits suicide every 2 MINUTES?!

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    • Yes Japan is uber stressful, believe me. BUT, the reason people stress education so much is because we want to help people get great jobs. If you look deeper, you see that there aren't as many homeless or lazy people in Japan as there are in say, America.

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  • so_damn_unpretty

    its normal. i would love to be asian. and when i was a kid before i went to sleep i'd wish on the stars to wake up black with a huge fro. And please don't let your parents keep you from your dream... its your life , like it or not they'll have to deal with the choices you make. You've found something that interests you and that is good. They can keep you from bringing it up but they can't stop you from further learning and exploring japanese culture.

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  • killface

    wait im confused do you want to go to japan or are you in japan

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    • akai-ringo

      Well, it's Japan that I want to go to ..

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      • Bartholomew

        What country do you live in? If that's okay.

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      • I luv ur username. Haha red apple. Cute:)

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  • That's perfectly fine. I wish I were Japanese because I've heard they have a natural talent for guitar which I'm trying to learn how to play. F.Y.I. I'm Filipino.

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