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!!!