When I transferred to California state university Monterey Bay I was a business major. I was registered into three different business classes and was taking Japanese for fun. After my first week of classes I was miserable. The only class that I enjoyed was my Japanese class. After that first week I changed my major and registered for all new classes. Changing my major was probably the most important decision of my life. It opened so many options for me and allowed me to study abroad in Japan. Now, as I come to the end of my time at CSUMB and I appreciate all that I have learned in the Japanese language and culture program.
What I learned from this program cannot be quantified. Yes I learned how to speak Japanese, and a lot about Japanese culture. But what was really a life changing experience was the opportunity I had to study in Japan. When I changed majors and was told that I should study abroad in Japan I was both surprised and excited. Never before did I think I would get the opportunity to not only travel to Japan but to stay there for an entire year and study. The people I met and the friends I made in that year have had a profound impact on me. I improved my Japanese language proficiency and changed the course of my life. After going through CSUMB’s study abroad program it has been my goal to go back to Japan. My goal as I prepare to graduate from CSUMB is to live and work and live in Japan. Soon after I receive my degree I will move to Japan. Before finishing at CSUMB I had to take a secondary culture course. I chose to take one that was focused on Mexican history. Having taken this course it has allowed me to compare Japanese culture not only with my own but also with a third separate culture. Being able to draw off this knowledge has helped me to put into perspective the way I view my own culture and those different from mine.
As I have studied at CSUMB I have seen my ability to communicate in Japanese grown by leaps and bounds. This is my most proud accomplishment to date. As with learning any second language though you can’t just study syntax, grammar, and conjugation. Communication in another language contains within it an understanding of the culture attached to that language. CSUMB not only prepared me to talk in Japanese, but really communicate with people in Japanese. In language classes and in Japanese specific culture classes I learned a lot. This focus on not only the structural components of Japanese but also the culture behind it prepared me for my time abroad. I am especially proud that I not only have a strong grasp on the Japanese language but also Japan’s culture because of CSUMB’s Japanese program.
Moving forward, my goal is to keep working on my knowledge and proficiency in Japanese. As I plan to work and live in Japan I know that I can achieve this goal. Spending one year in Japan improved my ability so much. Living on my own in Japan for the foreseeable future and interacting every day in Japanese can only do me good. Making connections and new friends is also very important to me. In studying Japanese I have opened up many opportunities to meet new people, not only in Japan but here in America. Our community service time during service learning really showed me the pleasure of teaching. I have applied for a job teaching in Japan and hope to continue teaching.
What I learned from this program cannot be quantified. Yes I learned how to speak Japanese, and a lot about Japanese culture. But what was really a life changing experience was the opportunity I had to study in Japan. When I changed majors and was told that I should study abroad in Japan I was both surprised and excited. Never before did I think I would get the opportunity to not only travel to Japan but to stay there for an entire year and study. The people I met and the friends I made in that year have had a profound impact on me. I improved my Japanese language proficiency and changed the course of my life. After going through CSUMB’s study abroad program it has been my goal to go back to Japan. My goal as I prepare to graduate from CSUMB is to live and work and live in Japan. Soon after I receive my degree I will move to Japan. Before finishing at CSUMB I had to take a secondary culture course. I chose to take one that was focused on Mexican history. Having taken this course it has allowed me to compare Japanese culture not only with my own but also with a third separate culture. Being able to draw off this knowledge has helped me to put into perspective the way I view my own culture and those different from mine.
As I have studied at CSUMB I have seen my ability to communicate in Japanese grown by leaps and bounds. This is my most proud accomplishment to date. As with learning any second language though you can’t just study syntax, grammar, and conjugation. Communication in another language contains within it an understanding of the culture attached to that language. CSUMB not only prepared me to talk in Japanese, but really communicate with people in Japanese. In language classes and in Japanese specific culture classes I learned a lot. This focus on not only the structural components of Japanese but also the culture behind it prepared me for my time abroad. I am especially proud that I not only have a strong grasp on the Japanese language but also Japan’s culture because of CSUMB’s Japanese program.
Moving forward, my goal is to keep working on my knowledge and proficiency in Japanese. As I plan to work and live in Japan I know that I can achieve this goal. Spending one year in Japan improved my ability so much. Living on my own in Japan for the foreseeable future and interacting every day in Japanese can only do me good. Making connections and new friends is also very important to me. In studying Japanese I have opened up many opportunities to meet new people, not only in Japan but here in America. Our community service time during service learning really showed me the pleasure of teaching. I have applied for a job teaching in Japan and hope to continue teaching.