The reason I chose to become a Japanese major at CSUMB is because I have always been fascinated with Japan and its language. For as long as I can remember, it has been my dream to speak Japanese at a high level and someday work in Japan as a teacher. The program at CSUMB has provided me with the opportunity to build a foundation in which I can accomplish my dream. Through service learning, study abroad, and my capstone project I have been able learn a plethora of skills and expand my mind to a variety of different cultures.
When I first took classes at CSUMB I felt a bit shocked, especially in the Japanese language classes I was enrolled in. Before then I had rarely found situations to use my Japanese, and I was even a bit hesitant to make mistakes. However, as the semester progressed I became more comfortable speaking Japanese and making mistakes. My speaking ability improved greatly, which in turn boosted my confidence. The classes that helped me achieve this were primarily MLO 1 related courses, but each class I took certainly contributed to my overall growth and language speaking ability.Through other courses I was also able to learn a great deal about Japanese culture
Before long, I found myself taking part in an exchange program, where I was able to study at the University of Shiga Prefecture. In Japan I was able to completely immerse myself in the language and improve every aspect of my Japanese language ability. I was able to learn Japanese culture firsthand and partake in festivals, traditions, and even tell the natives about my own customs. Every day offered me the unique opportunity to use my Japanese in everyday life and learn things about the language that I would not learn inside a classroom. My most favorite thing I was able to learn outside the classroom is kansaiben, which is a unique way people in the Osaka area of Japan talk. While taking cultural courses helped fulfill my MLO 2 requirement, I believe that experiencing it all firsthand was the best way to learn. In school I was exposed to the Japanese style of education, and learn the language from a slightly different perspective. Eventually, my Japanese got good enough to where I was brave enough to take a beginning Korean language class, taught entirely in Japanese. I had my troubles, but I came out of the whole ordeal with a good grade and having a much better grasp on basic Japanese. My study abroad experience is definitely one of my most cherished memories as I was able to improve my speaking skills, learn a new culture, and meet new friends every step of the way.
The Japanese program at CSUMB also stresses the importance of learning many cultures and not just one. So upon my return to CSUMB I decided to take a secondary culture course to meet my MLO 3 requirement. This helped me understand more than just my target language and culture, and broaden my outlook on other cultures in the process. Before taking the secondary culture course I was not very interested in taking other culture courses, but by doing so I find it very interesting to learn about other cultures I am not very aware of. I was able to grow as a person and realize the importance of keeping an open mind.
During my final semester at CSUMB I took the graduation capstone course, which helped me satisfy the MLO4 requirement. The capstone course helped me greatly improve and develop a wide variety of skills such as presentation, research, and technology usage. While doing my capstone project I noticed my Japanese become more academic as I was tasked with anaalyzing Japanese sources, translate my research findings, and ultimately present in Japanese. The capstone project is a very demanding project, but what I learned from it will certainly benefit me going forward.
My time at CSUMB has shown me the significance of education, communication, mutual understanding, and has helped become a much better human being. I hope to continue my education in graduate school someday, and continue to improve my Japanese. My time at CSUMB has also opened me up to the idea of visiting, and perhaps even living, in other countries other than Japan. The Japanese department at CSUMB as opened my horizons and helped me to become a much better person than I was when I first started. I have no doubt that the skills I have acquired during my time at CSUMB help me in the next step in my life.
When I first took classes at CSUMB I felt a bit shocked, especially in the Japanese language classes I was enrolled in. Before then I had rarely found situations to use my Japanese, and I was even a bit hesitant to make mistakes. However, as the semester progressed I became more comfortable speaking Japanese and making mistakes. My speaking ability improved greatly, which in turn boosted my confidence. The classes that helped me achieve this were primarily MLO 1 related courses, but each class I took certainly contributed to my overall growth and language speaking ability.Through other courses I was also able to learn a great deal about Japanese culture
Before long, I found myself taking part in an exchange program, where I was able to study at the University of Shiga Prefecture. In Japan I was able to completely immerse myself in the language and improve every aspect of my Japanese language ability. I was able to learn Japanese culture firsthand and partake in festivals, traditions, and even tell the natives about my own customs. Every day offered me the unique opportunity to use my Japanese in everyday life and learn things about the language that I would not learn inside a classroom. My most favorite thing I was able to learn outside the classroom is kansaiben, which is a unique way people in the Osaka area of Japan talk. While taking cultural courses helped fulfill my MLO 2 requirement, I believe that experiencing it all firsthand was the best way to learn. In school I was exposed to the Japanese style of education, and learn the language from a slightly different perspective. Eventually, my Japanese got good enough to where I was brave enough to take a beginning Korean language class, taught entirely in Japanese. I had my troubles, but I came out of the whole ordeal with a good grade and having a much better grasp on basic Japanese. My study abroad experience is definitely one of my most cherished memories as I was able to improve my speaking skills, learn a new culture, and meet new friends every step of the way.
The Japanese program at CSUMB also stresses the importance of learning many cultures and not just one. So upon my return to CSUMB I decided to take a secondary culture course to meet my MLO 3 requirement. This helped me understand more than just my target language and culture, and broaden my outlook on other cultures in the process. Before taking the secondary culture course I was not very interested in taking other culture courses, but by doing so I find it very interesting to learn about other cultures I am not very aware of. I was able to grow as a person and realize the importance of keeping an open mind.
During my final semester at CSUMB I took the graduation capstone course, which helped me satisfy the MLO4 requirement. The capstone course helped me greatly improve and develop a wide variety of skills such as presentation, research, and technology usage. While doing my capstone project I noticed my Japanese become more academic as I was tasked with anaalyzing Japanese sources, translate my research findings, and ultimately present in Japanese. The capstone project is a very demanding project, but what I learned from it will certainly benefit me going forward.
My time at CSUMB has shown me the significance of education, communication, mutual understanding, and has helped become a much better human being. I hope to continue my education in graduate school someday, and continue to improve my Japanese. My time at CSUMB has also opened me up to the idea of visiting, and perhaps even living, in other countries other than Japan. The Japanese department at CSUMB as opened my horizons and helped me to become a much better person than I was when I first started. I have no doubt that the skills I have acquired during my time at CSUMB help me in the next step in my life.