Q. Why did you choose Japan and Meiji University?
I went to three years of high school in Japan but before that I spent eight years in the United States. I wanted to study deeply the details about our globalized world so I chose School of Global Japanese Studies at Meiji University as my place of study.
I feel more comfortable using English so I wanted to spend my four years of university life focusing on studying different fields in English.
Q. Tell us about your campus life at Meiji University.
I spend most of my free time in the lounge in the campus.
At the lounge, I am able to have interactions with exchange students which I enjoy very much.
I also eat lunch, play games, and finish my assignments there.
As for classes, there are various courses offered that are interesting so I always have a difficult time choosing classes for a new semester.
I enjoy being able to view things from not only a Japanese point of view but also from an international perspective.
Other than classes, I enjoy dancing club activities, as we have the opportunity to perform in many events, and strolling around Nakano in my free time.
Q. Tell us about your life in Japan.
Since I used to live in America for eight years, I was not able to adjust to the Japanese way very easily.
It is still a bit difficult for me to adapt to the environment, especially when communicating with Japanese students. I try my best to avoid miscommunication.
Aside from that I get to compare and contrast the different ways of thinking that others have and it is always a learning experience to get ideas from different perspectives.
Ever since I came back to Japan it has been a good experience and it is always exciting to await new discoveries.
Q. About the Japanese language
I took a Japanese language class
with Japanese track students after testing my language skills before freshman year began.
During the spring semester of my first year, I took a speech class and in the fall semester I took a writing class in Japanese.
Although it was hard for me to keep up with other Japanese track students, I was able to challenge myself, maintain my Japanese, and learn the basics of academic Japanese speech and writing.
Q. What are your plans for the future?
After I graduate, I plan to stay in Japan and contribute to the globalized society.
I wish to work as a staff at an airport to help people using my communication skills I brushed up on while spending time with non-Japanese students.
Everything I have learned from socializing with international friends and taking courses in the School of Global Japanese Studies will definitely help me live a stable life in a globalized world.