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!!!