Blog 3: Academic Differences

Blog 3: Academic Differences

When it comes to the workload in Japanese colleges, I've heard it's not as intense as American colleges. I've been told high school in Japan is much more difficult than going to university in Japan. I don't think I'll have a close relationship with the professors compared to some of the relationships I have with professors on the MC campus. Expectations of the students will remain relatively the same. In Japan, usually the teacher does most of the talking and the student just listens. Since I'm taking a language class with other non-native speakers or foreigners, I'm not sure what exactly to expect.

Japanese credits and American credits are the same (1 Japanese credit = 1 American credit). However, the grade system in Japan is a bit different than the one here at MC. Here is what it looks like:

80-100 = A

70-79 = B

60-69 = C

0-59 = F

We will have class approximately 19 hours a week. I will take Japanese Language class for 90 mins eight times a week for six weeks, Japanese Studies for 90 mins twice a week for six weeks, and Japanese Art classes for 90 mins once a week for six weeks. I will get six credits for my summer program in Nanzan, and it will transfer as six credits for MC.

My program offers interaction with Japanese students through The Japan Plaza, which is a place where I can converse with the students in only Japanese. It will be open from 12:45 to 5:45 PM on weekdays. A teaching assistant will also be available to help me if needed.

That's about it for now! 👋 

Blog 2: An American Abroad

Since I’m a third-culture kid and a religious minority, I think I do a good job of being open to different cultures. Japanese culture is something I’ve informally studied ever since I was a child, and recently I’ve been trying to watch as many videos as I can to learn quirks about Japanese culture or some culture shock experiences other foreigners have faced while in Japan. However, no amount of studying or researching will truly prepare me for what I’m going to experience while I’m abroad.

I’m a very direct person, but Japanese people come from a high-context culture so they tend to talk in circles or beat around the bush a lot. That is something I’m going to struggle with while in Japan, but it won’t be that bad since I know to expect it already. Considering how introverted I am, I’m actually not sure how straightforward I will be since I’ll be in a country where most people don’t speak English, and I’m shy when it comes to starting conversations with native Japanese speakers. Again, my experience as a third-culture kid helps me when it comes to understanding cultural differences.

I want to bring all aspects of my identity…but I’m not sure which ones I’ll be educating people about. I guess it will be whatever comes up in conversation! I’m not your stereotypical American, so Japanese people might be a bit surprised when they meet me!

Honestly, I’m not worried so much about being faced with a new culture more than I am with the fact that I won’t be in an English-speaking country or the fact that it will be monsoon season the entire time I’m in Japan (sighs). 😓

Until next time! またね! 👋

Blog 1: Goals

Blog 1: Goals

It's hard to imagine, after 10+ years of wanting to go to Japan, I finally have the opportunity and the means to go. Not only that, but I get to study abroad there. One of my goals for the summer is to eat as many authentic Japanese foods - I specifically want to try Japanese sushi (because American sushi is WAY different), and foods like okonomiyaki and sukiyaki, which aren't as easy to find in restaurants in the States. Another goal of mine is to to get more comfortable speaking Japanese with native speakers, because I am currently reluctant to practice my Japanese with them in fear of making silly mistakes. While taking Japanese here at MC, my professor focused more on grammar and writing. The only real practice we got speaking was when we did speeches in class, but those were prepared and memorized beforehand. I'm hoping being abroad in Japan by myself (without friends or family in immediate reach for assistance) will help me gather courage and make me more willing to step outside of my comfort zone. I have many other goals I'd like to accomplish during my time abroad, but I'll leave it at those for now.

sukiyaki

okonomiyaki

Since Japan is not a majority native English-speaking country, I am terrified about having to navigate myself while I'm there! Japan is huge on public transportation - subways, buses, bikes - you name it. I have no idea how to get from point A to point B on a subway OR a bus, and I never learned to ride a bike as a child. Cue nervous laugh. Another fear of mine (and this is purely superficial, but still) is the level of humidity in Japan. It's ridiculously high, and not to mention, it will be monsoon season during the time I'm there. My hair will be ridiculously difficult to tame. I visited Korea during monsoon season, and walking outside was kind of a nightmare. I'm hoping it won't affect my experience in Japan as much as it did while I was in Korea, but I have doubts. I also have fears concerning the trip to and from - especially when it comes to making sure I have a seamless process, and making sure I get my luggage in one piece.

When it comes to maximizing my experience abroad, I want to make a language table with other students to improve our language skills! If not a language table, maybe some kind of language exchange with Japanese students - they could practice their English, and I could practice my Japanese. I also want to see if there are any clubs we could create or join to interact more with other students (Japanese and others). Blogging my experiences to share with others is something else that I want to do as well.

At this point, I think I'm equally scared and excited to embark on this journey. It still hasn't hit me that I will be in Japan in just a few months, but I think it will become more clear the closer we get to the end of the semester. Farewell for now, friends! ✌