"Being a volunteer who is Deaf was my golden opportunity to open my eyes around the world,” explained Leticia Arellano, taught American Sign Language (ASL) to a Deaf couple in Japan.

“They were the best ASL students that I ever had. They also gave me many opportunities to learn about Japanese Sign Language (JSL), Deaf culture in Japan, moral values and more.”  

In exchange for providing ASL lessons, Arellano received a place to stay and meals during her ten weeks in Japan.  She also had the opportunity to learn about Japanese Deaf education because Eiichi Mitsui, the man she tutored, was a teacher at Kanazawa School for the Deaf. “The oral method was the strong philosophy in Japan, but most Deaf people in Japan are trying to get the JSL method to be used in the schools,” said Arellano. “Eiichi asked me to help him in teaching the young Deaf students their first performance in JSL, which was held at a Deaf convention. When the young Deaf students performed the wonderful play in JSL [instead of orally], all the Deaf people from Japan were surprised. It was an inspiring moment, and I was asked to give flowers to all the Deaf students for their remarkable performance. It was my big honor.” 

Arellano did not learn JSL until she arrived in Japan.  She attributes her ease in learning JSL to many factors. “Mexican Sign Language is my first language,” explained Arellano. “I was born in Mexico and my family is Deaf. When I was eight I moved to the USA, and I learned ASL quickly. I majored in ASL Studies and I studied linguistics. So I guess that I have a strong linguistic background too. Also I interacted with lots of Deaf international people when I was traveling around Asia, Central and South America, Europe and Egypt, and I could understand them.” 

Understanding the Japanese culture and sharing her own culture were other aspects of the experience that Arellano treasures. “I have not ever forgotten when Narkio Mitsui [the woman I tutored] asked what I most wanted to do during my two-and-a-half month stay,” said Arellano. “I told her that I missed hugs. Deaf Americans tend to hug every time we meet. Deaf Japanese just bow and show their greetings. Nariko was surprised, and she told me she would be more than happy to give me some hugs.”

Arellano noticed there were other differences while volunteering in Japan. “Most Deaf Japanese people showed a high respect for other people,” she said. “I believe that hearing people in Japan are the same in showing high respect. I stayed with Eiichi and Narkio in the town of Kotamsu, and they were dedicated to their lives and their work. There were about five Deaf workers working for their business. They were all serious and loyal, and concentrated on the work. Eiichi and Narkio felt that their Deaf workers were fortunate to work for them because they can communicate with each other.”

Eiichi and Narkio had a business selling handmade Kutani porcelain in the international market and wanted to learn ASL so they could make presentations during business trips to the United States without having to rely upon ASL-JSL interpreters. “They came to the United States and I was thrilled to see them a couple years ago,” Arellano recalled. “They were asked to teach at Gallaudet University and the National Technical Institute for the Deaf [in Rochester, New York]. They showed that they could use their ASL pretty well!” 

Arellano also grew personally during her stay in Japan. “Sharing the cultures, values and sign languages increased my understanding of other Deaf, and hearing, people all over the world,” she said. “We have the same struggles for our own rights and pride as Deaf people. Success in volunteering abroad gave me more respect for and desire to help other Deaf people.” This is why she has recently become involved as a volunteer for a U.S. non-profit organization called Global Deaf Connection. She led a volunteer exchange program to bring Deaf education teachers from the United States to assist with a teachers’ training program at Deaf schools in Kenya. “I hope that all these experiences can help me to eventually establish an organization for my own country in Mexico,” Arellano said. “I have a dream of giving empowerment to Deaf people in Mexico. Also I do hope that my story will convince everyone to be involved with overseas volunteer exchange programs.”