SO, I know it’s been a while but here I am!
I guess the first thing I should probably cover is how my week
of classes went (and so on). To be honest, it’s been really nice. The reason is
because a fair amount of what my classes actually consists of are field trips.
Which I really think is great because it gives us a chance to learn more about
the culture and history at a hands-on experience. For instance, we have visited
a shrine near where my dormitory is located for my Shinto and Buddhism class.
Not to mention that this weekend my study abroad group will be participating in
a huge and important festival for that particular shrine and will involve
anyone who lives within that town. From what I have been told, it’s going to
hurt a lot but it will be very worry it. So I can’t wait! (You’ll hear about
what I t is soon.) Another trip we did, which was for my Social Development
class was taking a trip all throughout three very old towns that have opened up
many local, and small businesses that have kept that community strong. They are
also a very popular towns where tourist can go and support the people’s
businesses by purchasing items such as pottery, eating at small-town restaurants
and cafes, as well as purchasing great souvenirs that come with great Japanese history.
We also take a course called “Life in Japan” that helps us
understand the people of Japan by researching many different things Japanese
people do that is part of their “everyday” life. For instance, our professor
gave us a project that involves going to certain places like Disneyland, or
doing something like having a fake wedding. The fake wedding by the way is for
us to experience what Japanese people have to go through when it comes to
getting married, you’d be surprised how different they do things. As for the
Disneyland experiment, that helps us understand Japanese youth and what they’re
into even though a lot of what they do has become a lot more modernized with
western perspective. And course, to top it off, I am taking a Japanese language
class at a second level rate. That class only has three people, including me,
but I couldn’t be any happier just because I get to have a lot more attention
and personal interaction then I would if there were 8 other people in it.
Although, the only class I actually have every day is that
Japanese class. Other than that, all my other classes (depending on which one) is
pretty much once a week-maybe twice. Not to mention that each class I have is
actually one hour and a half, no matter what day it is.
Other than school, I try to go out and explore as much as I
can because before you know it, time will fly by before I even get to eat
another bowl of beef and rice. (It’s very cheap and very popular here by the
way!) But I think if you do plan to travel abroad, specifically in Japan, don’t
feel the need to try everything in one week. There will be plenty of time, and
many field trips to do that will you let you explore so much just within those
4 months that you’re here.
So, until next time!
Have a great morning/afternoon/night!
