After Mt. Fuji

SUNRISE ON THE TOP OF MT. FUJI

what a great feeling to be on top of Mt. Fuji and watching gorgeous sunrise...

We arrived 5 gome (half way to the top) at 1 pm, and climbed up for 4 hours. Then, we got to 8 gome (8/10 part of the mountain) a little after 6 pm. Then, we had dinner and rested until 11:30 pm. It was raining hard, dark, and cold. I wish rain would stop, but we were climbing through clouds, so it was just inevitable. For another 4 hours and a half, we climbed and climbed. It felt like it was endless. As dawn started to push away the darkness, and I felt nervous that I would not be able to make it to the top by sunrise. I had a goal to take a lifetime photo on the top because I do not think I would climb it again. For the last 30 minues, I hurried and ran up to the top. Luckily, when I arrived on the top, I had enough time to set up my camera and take a lifetime picture. By the way, I have to warn that it is a lot harder to climb down than up. My legs were shaking, and I felt like I was going to faint...

It was a great experience, and I recommend it to anyone who is planning to study in Japan. To me, it was like putting a period to my experience in Japan.

to 8 gome...

resting at 8 gome (8/10 part of Mt. Fuji)

raining hard, wet, cold, and dark....

right before sunrise at the top

WE DID IT!!!

Mt. FUJIIIIIIIIIIIIIII!!!!

As many foreign students in Japan finish their adventure by climbing Mt. Fuji, 10 of us from our dorm are going to climb Mt. Fuji tomorrow. Yes, it is the tallest mountain in Japan. 3776m!!!!! It is going to take about 8 hours to climb up to the top... and I am extremely worried because we are all our of shape. We prepared so many stuff such as raincoat, headlight, sweets, gloves, and etc. I hope we can all see the sunrise together on the top...

more stories in the next episode~!!!

Yesterday, I finished my final exam at Keio. Although I was feeling horrible after taking one of the most difficult exams in my life, I was more overwhelmed with a feeling that I was done with Keio and my exchange student experience in Japan. It was such a weird feeling that I did not know what to do when it was over. I sat down on a bench in the campus, and just thought about how my year was. I could not express how much I grew and gained from this experience. I am confident to tell that I am much different from before I came. Definitely a positive result!!!

It is too sad to think about leaving Japan, but in a way, it feels like I am going back to a reality from one sweet dream. For the next few weeks, I will be busy with good-bye's, but I still do not feel like I am ready...

Good-bye!!! friends and Keio!!!

Looking for a job in Japan?

Are you looking for a job in Japan? Then, here is one of the easiest way to find one.

On July 2nd & 3rd, a job fair was held in Odaiba, Tokyo, and it was for Japanese-English bilinguals. Since I am in Japan, I wanted to give a shot to find one. I went on the first day, and it was full of Japanese and foreigners. At first, I was a little intimidated, but soon I felt more comfortable as I had more conversation and interviews. I only visited booths that are related to finance, and it was quite interesting to find out that I might have a chance.

I really recommend to visit these job fairs with you are interested in working in Japan. The biggest one is held in Boston, and there would be more opportunities there.

Here is the website!

http://www.careerforum.net/index.asp?lang=E

By the way, I was called to come the next day for another interview, and it really felt like that I was going to get the job, but we will see.....

many students in suits preparing for interviews

Odaiba and Fuji TV on the right

on the way back to Tokyo

Last chance!

before the game

Since Keio lost to Waseda every game that I attended, it made me nervous to see a soccer match. I really wanted to see one game that Keio could win. It was my last chance last week. Although Keio won other games such as field hockey and basketball, my presence seemed to be a bad luck even if I cheer my heart out.
I had a hope in the beginning when we scored first two goals, but as expected, Waseda soon caught up by the end of the first half.

And by the end of the game, it was 4 to 2 Waseda.....
The game was really exciting, and I strongly believe that we had a good chance to win. It was too bad to see that chance slip away.........

cheering!!!


... after the game...

Study Abroad Fair

Last Wednesday, Study Abroad Fair was held in Hiyoshi Campus. I was there as a volunteer to help anyone who wants to study in Hawaii or America. Generally, America was a popular spot for students for their study abraod destination. It is said that over 1500 students were there to find their favorite spot to spend a meaningful semester or year away from home. I strongly conveyed that this is a lifetime opportunity as I am having one at the moment.

It was too bad that there were not that many students desiring to study in Hawaii. It seems that they considered it only as a vacation spot as it is known.

Representatives of Hawaii

Best dorm in Japan!!!

Last month, a newsreporter from Asahi Newpaper visited to cover stories on our dorm. It was great to be interviewed as an international student living in the dorm which is considered as the place for cross-cultural experience. Our dorm is the first dorm to promote such an environment in Japan. Unlike the other dorms, there actually are more events and opportunities to intermingle with Japanese students. I am excited everyday to be here, and happy that I am here now having great experience and sharing friendship with others. I definitely suggest SHIMODA STUDENT VILLAGE to international students coming to Keio University!!!

Here is the article if you are interested.
http://www.asahi.com/edu/news/TKY200805190159.html

Izu Adventure

During Golden Week (several Japanese holidays that occur during the first week of May), I planned to rest myself because it would be my last long holidays before leaving Japan. On the other hand, I did wanted to do something memorable like a short trip around Tokyo.

So, we decided to rent a car and travel to Izu Peninsula. Our goals were to experience all-you-can-eat-strawberry farm, and to see the ocean. We first had a trouble getting used to driving on the left side of the road, but after a while, it became natural. Also, all-you-can-eat-strawberry farm was definitely a must. I strongly recommend everyone to experience it. Lucky, the day we went was the last day of the season. The owner suggested that it would be more delicious in the winter. and the beach... coming from Hawaii, I am surprisingly amazed by Japanese beaches, but it had a different feeling to it.

My recommendation...

1. Make sure you get an international liscense before you study abroad

2. Give enough time to adjust yourself to the opposite side of the road

3. If possible, plan at least a two-day trip to Izu Penninsula ( I felt like it was too short)

All-you-can-eat-strawberry farm

Shimoda where Japanese opened to American trade by Commodore Matthew Perry

Perry road in Shimoda

Keio vs. Waseda

"Kei-So sen" refers to sports matches between Keio and Waseda, the rivalry schools. Every semester there are several sports matches between these two school, and it is such an exciting event. Among them, baseball is the most popular game.

Last semester, I could not go to the game. This time, I am going to try to go to as many as possible. The first one that I was able to witness was an American football game. I was excited to see how Japanese students would play American football.

During the game, there were several rules that I did not make any sense, but overall, it was very exciting. Of course, I expected Keio to win, but they just handed over the whole game in the last a few minutes. I had fun watching the game, and am excited to go to different sports games.

I think the next one will be either baseball or tennis...

cheerleaders~

Keio 150

Founded in 1858, Keio became the first modern Japanese university to celebrate its 150th anniversary this year. I am proud and lucky to be studying at Keio this memorable year.

On the 23rd of April, Keio University celebrated its 150th anniversay at Tokyo Disney Sea. It rented out the whole theme park for students, alumni, and families of Keio. Although it was extremely crowded, I was glad to be there witnessing this meaningful event. It was obvious to notice how great this school is. This school has played a key role leading Japanese universities.

The more I find out about the school, the more I become to appreciate this opportunity I have. If anyone from UH is planning to come to Japan as a study abroad program, I definitely recommend or force you to apply for this school.

my first impression on Japanese classes

For the past week, I spent many hours to audit classes to take, especially Japanese classes. At first, I was nervous to even be in regular classes that Japanese students take. But soon when I met a few of my friends, I was able to relax and to focus on a lecture. My first impression was that the general atmosphere was similar to the classes in the states. It seems that so-called easy classes were full of students, but the others were not. Since my level of Japanese is a problem, I decided to take something that seems to be easy to understand. Thanks to my friends for recommending classes that I should consider.

After being in for several classes, I decided to take Macro-Marketing (Business Economics) and Corporate Structure. One thing I was surprised so far is that professors are more lenient than I thought. I was expecting that Japansese professors would be strict and inflexible. In addition, I figured that my Japanese needs improvement... a big one...

But this will provide me an opportunity to learn and challenge me to improve my Japanese.

opening ceremony for exchange students at Keio University

my first Japanese classes

The first week seemed like it passed faster than a bullet train. I am sure everyone feels the same back at home when school starts again. Last semeseter, I mainly studied Japanese with a few other classes taught in English, and I wanted to continue doing that with two classes that regular Japanese students take. This semester, I do want to improve my Japanese to a new level, and to experience how regular classes are taught in Japanese college.

Keio University provides various classes to exchange students, and it is a pleasure to have many options. Since many exchange students come to Japanese college to mainly study Japanese, I strongly recommend to focus on Japanese. Taking regular Japanese classes could be overwhelming, but it would be an exceptional experience. In addition, it provides opportunities to meet with Japanese students.

In the next episode, I will explain how the regular classes are.

ARIGATOU!!!

new semester tomorrow!!!

Spring semester starts tomorrow. It has been an amazing vacation. I have fully enjoyed my two-month break visiting Taiwan, Korea, and other places in Japan. Now, I am excited to go back to school. During my first semester at Keio, I tried my best to be well adjusted in Japan, but this semester, I am going to try to learn more and deeper things that I could not be able to acquire before. This semester will go by very fast, but I hope that I will be meaningful and productive. I already feel like I am leaving Japan soon, and I already feel that this semester will be very memorable one!

semester systems

Japanese universities have a different system from the ones in the states. Students enter college in the beginning of April and usually finish their spring semester at the end of July. Then, they have a break for two months. School starts again in the beginning of October, and it lasts until the beginning of February. Then, they have a two-month break again. It continues like this for four years. Since the systems in Japan and America are different, it is important to manage your time studying abroad.
My recommendation is that if you want to study abroad in Japan, then you should come for a year from fall semester to spring semester. Or if for one semester, then definitely during spring semester. If you plan to come for one semester during fall semester, then you will have to miss or waste spring semester in your home university. But if you study for one semester during spring semester, then you will be able to return before fall semester starts in your college. But I still suggest to study abroad for one year if possible. It will make a difference. A big difference!

thinking about studying abroad???

Mt. Fuji near our hotel

our Japanese-style dinner

our hotel

us

Are you thinking about studying abroad???
Then, here is a good tip that you should consider.I thought about studying abroad since I was a freshman in college. The first thing I did besides going to study abroad information sessions, was to make friends from Japan. UH was a great place to make Japanese friends because there are so many of them, and they were always approachable. They helped me a lot with my Japanese and understand what it would be like to live in Japan. Last weekend, those Japanese friends who studied at UH gathered together and went on a trip. Of course, I was there, too. It was the most fun and memorable event that I had in Japan so far. It was great to have good friends in a strange land.


My suggestion= make friends from the country that you are interested in studying abroad!!!

Taiwan Adventure

Everyone at Keio University seems to be traveling over the two month break we have. After living in Japan for about 6 months, I did need to stay away from Tokyo and I am sure everyone felt the same way. So, I decided to go to Taiwan where my other friend from UH is doing his exchange program. At first, Taipei, the capital of Taiwan, seemed like Tokyo 15 years ago. The city is transforming into a bigger and busier city like Tokyo. One thing I really liked was that food and transportation fee are amazingly cheap compared to Tokyo. It was an awesome feeling to look down the city from the top of the 101 building, the tallest building in the world. Taiwan was definitely a place to visit.

mopeds on the street...

Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial Hall

101 building at night

night market

101!!!

Ueno

Last samurai statue...

Old man at the partk feeding birds

Tokyo National Museum

Japanese armor at the museum

I explored Ueno today with two friends. In fact, one of them is visiting from Hawaii. Since I have never been to Ueno before, I did not know what and where to show him around. After wandering around for a while, I found out that Ueno has a nice park with several museums including Tokyo National Museum, the biggest in Japan. Ueno Zoo is probably the most popular spot there. Also, markets near the station are good places to look around. You can find dried seafood, cheap clothing, interesting food, and others. I definitely suggest a day trip if you want to see more of old Tokyo. Since I only was able to check out Tokyo National Museum and streets near the station, I will have to plan another day to visit Ueno!