Profile
Blog
Photos
Videos
Hello again! I am now at my university, classes have already begun! It seems that my Japanese classes will live up to their reputation for rigor. But I did come here for an intensive Japanese language program, so this is definitely what I want. I am also taking seminar courses on America as a Foreign Country and Social and Political Issues of Japan in English. These classes are half exchange students and half Japanese students studying English, so they have been great for making new Japanese friends. I am also taking a course on Japanese religions in English, and a hanga (Japanese woodblock printing) class taught in Japanese. They are all fascinating, I feel like I have already uncovered a deeper understanding of Japanese culture.
However, nothing has helped more in understanding Japanese culture better than living with my host mother. She helps me with all my homework, and we have great conversations about aspects of Japanese culture that differs from American (like eating the skin on fruit here is odd, or picking up your bowl while eating isn't done in the US). My host sisters visit sometimes too. I find it hilarious that I often learn Japanese words hanging out with my sister's baby, since everyone speaks so slowly and clearly to her!
Otherwise, I was recently able to do some sightseeing (or in Japanese, kankou suru). IES Abroad took us on a field trip to Kanazawa in the mountains, and we got to make gold-leaf boxes, dip in the onsen (hot springs), and stroll through gorgeous Japanese gardens. My okaasan (host mother) also took me to the Nittaiji, or Japanese and Thai Temple, here in Nagoya--we rode our bikes three hours there and back! We went to the tsukimi moon-viewing festival to see the Zen Buddhist monks chant and eat taffy on a stick. Japan is absolutely gorgeous, every day I am thankful for this opportunity I have to be here. And oh, can I say if you have never tried okonomiyaki or dango, now is the time to get on that.
Arigatou! Jaa mata!
- comments