Wander Through Asia

Possibly studying in Kobe this summer?

2009-11-21T22:01:00.006-05:00

I can't believe my first semester here is already almost over! There's only about a month left until winter break. It feels like I just got here.

I've definitely advanced with my Japanese from what little I knew when I first got here. Previously, we had only been using the polite forms of verbs, but right now we're working on learning the plain forms. Fun fun fun.

A sensei from the study abroad department came to our class yesterday to talk to us about a summer program in 神戸 (Kobe). I would love to do this, but I'm not really sure if I can right now. Here are the facts:
- It's open only to intermediate students (as in, those with one year of formal training only, no more, no less).
- It goes from June 6 to July 19. Probably a good amount of time for my first time living over there?
- I would take classes at 甲南大学 (Konan University). In one and a half months I would finish two Japanese courses that would take me all next year at University of Hawaiʻi.
- I would stay with a host family, so I would get the experience of actually living the culture, rather just staying at a dorm at school. And the host family lives on the outskirts of Kobe, so I'll get to experience the city life during school and more rural stuff when I go back to the family.

I think it would be a good experience. Any ideas on whether to do this or not? The application is due sometime in February, so I've got some time to decide...

Finally arrived on the island!

2009-08-30T18:04:00.007-04:00

Well, I've finally made it to the university! It's been quite an experience so far. Classes are going pretty well. Japanese class is pretty easy right now, since I've been studying it for a while already, but once we get past the basics, it'll start getting tough. As of right now, all we've been doing is learning hiragana, for those that don't already know it.

And now, I present to you: my first video! Here's a tour of my new dorm!

link

The Journey Begins!

2009-04-01T22:45:00.009-04:00

Well, it's official. Starting this fall, I'll be heading off to the University of Hawaii at Manoa to study computer science and Japanese. Because of the large Japanese population in Hawaii, it will be a great place to practice my speaking skills. I hope to study abroad in Japan sometime, and possibly teach English as a second language over there.

I might not update this very much until I get there, but check back often. Once I get to Hawaii, I'll start seriously writing on here. Keep looking forward to that update! I'm promise it won't be too long until it's here!