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!

Kamakura

Ever since we had planned to go to Kamakura, I had been really excited, so I had my camera, tripod, and everything else ready. But I made a big mistake... I forgot to check the weather.

When I walked out of my dorm, I was really disappointed because it was raining, but I still did not give up. I thought that the sky might clear up later on.

Unfortunately, it did not. I ended up taking only a few pictures. I did not even look around much because I wanted to save it for a sunny day!

Don't forget to check the WEATHER when you are going on a nice day trip!!!

Bronze statue of Amita Buddha in Kamakura

there is a nice surprise if you go inside but you have to pay 20 yen!

Kamakura cake I had at a cafe

It felt colder due to the rain.... we ended up staying mostly inside