Hello all! It’s been a while since I’ve written a post here. I’ve been busy moving back home and reacclimating to the life I left here when I went to Japan. But now I’m settled back in, found myself some work before I go back to school and have gotten the Japanese study ball rolling again. I figured since this blog is a Japan-focused one, I’d reflect on a year of studying Japanese more or less full time and what’s worked and what hasn’t. Hit the jump below to read on.
March 23rd, 2009
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I sit here typing up this post on my final week in Japan as a foreign exchange student (while at the same time rocking out to some Bump of Chicken) and there’s a mixture of feelings going on. On the one hand, I’ve had an absolutely fantastic time here in Japan. I think I can say without reservation it has been the most eventful year of my life. Not only have I acquired the Japanese language, at least conversationally, I have made life-long friends and more memories than I have bothered to re-account on the blog here. On the other hand, I know that my time is up here and I have return home. I’m quite content with that, though, as I have many people back home I want to meet again, not the least of whom is my family. Besides, I have to graduate from college. If I ever want to return to Japan that’s a necessity.
I figured I’d use this post to give out some final advice to everyone who is thinking of studying abroad, gleaned from my year here. Of course it all boils down to want you want from your time in a foreign country, but this is what I found worked for me:
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February 23rd, 2009
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I gave all you guys the low-down on last semester’s classes, so I figured it would be a good idea to tell how you how things went this time around. Overall, this semester was just as successful as the last was and I had a good time in all of my classes. Once again, they centered around the Japanese language and the culture of Japan. So, let me give you the run down!
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January 31st, 2009
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It’s been a long time coming but it’s finally here! Enjoy watching me ramble on about where I’ve been living this past year, the International House. Excuse the mess, please! :)
Note: The sound is pretty bad in the beginning because of the wind. Don’t worry, it gets better. ;)
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January 14th, 2009
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It’s been a while since I wrote an actual post here, so I figured I’d let you all know how my Christmas/New Year’s break went. Honestly, I didn’t do a whole lot, especially in terms of travel – I stayed in Hirosaki the whole time and didn’t do anything particularly out of the ordinary. But I did do a few things that could be considered above average and/or “cultural experiences” and I’d love to share those with you now!
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January 9th, 2009
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Hey all! I gave a presentation today in my Japanese culture class here in Hirosaki. I presented it in English, but I got some great help from my friend Lim in the handout translation. For anyone who’s interested, here’s the Japanese text of my presentation! It was about the Japanese influence on the American video game market, especially during the 80’s/NES era.
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December 11th, 2008
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Hard to believe, but this little blog here has been alive and kicking on the Internet for a full year now. It all started with this little post, letting the world know why I’m here. It’s been a great time so far. I originally created this blog not only as a way to keep track of my experiences for myself and my family, but also as a way to share with interested people the experience of being a foreign exchange student. If my blog has helped even one person to decide to study abroad or made their experience of preparing to study abroad a little bit easier then I am satisfied.
Here’s to another great year!
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