My body cried like a newborn babe, afraid in an unfamiliar place. Immediately, my fresh eyes were greeted by waves of black hair, friendly smiles, and the Japanese language. I had arrived in Japan. I did not know the language or the customs, but I dove right into the dark pool. I was determined not to let the unknown drown me. Those feelings of my first moments in Japan will be forever cherished in my memories. I will cherish the embarrassing moment I handed the cashier cash instead of placing it in the cash tray and the first time I rode the train. It felt like riding a roller coaster and the first time someone spoke to me in Japanese and I could not understand what he/she had said. Everything made me feel like I was in an entire different dimension. Paying with cash and riding the train now seem mundane, and hearing Japanese being spoken everywhere, but only because it had become part of my life. The train systems no longer seemed impossible and ordering food became a breeze. What I learned from Japan from daily life tasks to communication with the locals helped me mature and made me gain a better sense of self identity. In one year, I experienced life and learned more about myself than I ever could in ten years. It gave me a new sense of purpose academically. Without that experience, I would have …show more content…
Pace University offers many opportunities to do this such as being in the financial district, the opportunity to participate in a the LinkedIn mentorship program and to be involved in the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program. The university offers many opportunities to help me excel in my specific academic field that I feel I cannot receive from my current university. Also, Pace also offers extended Japanese courses besides basic beginner level. I would like to continue my Japanese studies because of my positive experience in Japan and incorporate in my
In the book Learning to Bow, written by Bruce Feiler, Feiler is sent to Japan to teach Japanese students about American values, customs, and its language. Feiler discusses his life and teaching experience in Japan during the late 1980’s and early 1990’s. In what became more of a learning lesson however, the author was able to understand what it truly meant to be Japanese. Feiler is better able to understand what it means to be Japanese through his immersion into Japanese society, as well as comparing his Americanized ideals with that of Japan. He is enabled through this immersion to better understand the vast similarities and differences between these two distant countries.
As the narrative shifts to memories of a young child, the accounts of the Japanese culture are more vividly detailed. The narrator can recollect the very specific details of her life; for example, she can remember how she was wearing “a wine-colored dirndl skirt with straps that criss cross at the back” during this one specific account. Throughout this journey, the narrator is surrounded by complete strangers; however, their fates are all the same, as “not [one] on this journey returns home again.” Despite such a depressing time period in the lives of many of the Japanese, the Japanese mannerism of respect still remains, as the narrator refers to strangers as “ojisan” or “obasan”. This honorary title for even strangers shows the respect that the Japanese have for one another and even the pride they still withhold for their culture, even in a time of
I’ve always wondered why people with a little or a lot of power tend to treat you unjustly. I’ve experienced many times when people with power treated me poorly. There were times in school with teachers, in school with principles and even out in public places. When I experienced these moments they made me feel like there were something wrong with me or I was different. Also, it made me feel like I was different from others… but not in a good way.
Clouds began to roll into the small town of Springvale around mid-morning, and the rain followed shortly after. It was easy going at first, but quickly became torrential. The brightness of the morning was consumed by the ravenous appetite of the clouds, turning day to night. This kind of weather was not uncommon for the coastal town during the summer months. Many of the citizens of Springvale relished the constant rain.
If I had to move to a big city and live there the rest of my life, it would definitely take a while to adapt to everything. I have experienced enough of a culture shock from this trip to know that it really can change the way you view things in life. It’s easy to get caught up in your own life and forget that there are other ways of doing things and living life. Traveling is a great way for people to experience other ways of life without having to fully commit to that lifestyle. Understanding the world and people around you can really help you learn more about
I step out of my Dad’s blue shiny Honda van as he says “good luck on your first day”. I force up a weak smile as I close the door and it made a whoosh noise as it closes. I look at the entrance for a good five minutes. I take a deep breath and slowly as a turtle, a zombie and snails. I thought to myself, a zombie and a snails.
The airport was a sea of people going everywhere. I looked around, wondering whether I would really like it here, in my native land. After spending most of my life overseas, in Europe and the Middle East, I had my doubts about Japan. Going from country to country all my life, I should have been used to moving around, yet this was different. Instead of just moving from one country to another, I was going back to my home country.
I have always had an interest in Japan and its culture. Because I would like to teach English in Japan as a career, I decided to learn about their educational system is like, and how it’s different from ours. I got really intrigued by the differences and polices they have. List the essential questions or research questions that drove your investigation. What are the similarities and differences of the Japanese and American education systems?
On Friday, October 16th John Etta Rasberry, my sister was driving to campus from student teaching at Pope Elementary when one of her front tires and the axles came apart, while attempting to make it to campus. At this time, I was at work. Away from my cellphone. John Etta called me several times, but I was unaware of the missed calls due to being at work. A resident’s from the community that witness the incident was kind enough to help her to get the vehicle towed from the street location, where the tire rolled off and the axle in the front of the vehicle came a loose.
Personal Narrative It was a cold November Friday. The sun was hidden behind a thick layer of clouds as it usually is most of the winter in Michigan. I had just been picked up from St. Martha, the very first school I ever attended. The car ride home seemed to be very different than any other.
The first half of this semester was swift and I can’t believe how fast it passed by. College is a whole new world for me that I had never imagined with a lot of new experiences that I hope will shift me into a better and smarter person. There are more things I can do in college that I would have never dared to do in high school and I am happy for these new freedoms. I am able to eat in class, leave class without asking and they don’t care if I pay attention or not. My high school teachers would always tell me to wait for the bell, sometimes would not let me leave and if I did not pay attention they would yell.
Its third hour, we are upstairs in 11th grade high school, I am in the soft comfy chair, the beanbag, i'm here for being the 1st student with a clean record. (No punching, No teasing and helping people) a lot.and were in the 3rd hour class and everyone is working hard on their book, they are reading Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, and they want to read it because the first person to finish wins a treat. Juan had finished with his book in 1 hour, A.K.A. a long time ago, and the teacher had already given him his treat, just a apple, but he didn't tell the class that he got the treat or what the treat was. About 30 minutes into reading time, juan got up, went to the teacher, and asked “Can I go to the bathroom”.
I slid into my heavy boots, picked up the rifle leaning against the wall, and took a long look at the woman next to me. She was beautiful, timid--a perfect wife. She’d been with me for five years, five long years I’d never soon forget. She worked at a nearby factory, assembling bullets for Arkadia. Watching her roll over in bed, I grabbed a hold of her arm, shaking her awake somewhat violently.
Since learning AP Economics in my high school year, I have always desired to further my studies in economics. More specifically, I have wanted to study international relations in economics. Recently, Donald Trump has won the presidential election and his inauguration is expected to bring huge change in the world’s economy and foreign policies. These emerging crises have come to my attention and have sparked my curiosity. By applying for PEARL at Keio University, I plan to gain further insight into the topic.
As I am going to enter the university in Canada this coming September, I will explain reasons why I decide to study not in Japan but in Canada and what I would specifically like to learn there with my personal experience. First and foremost, I want to place myself in a strict environment purposely. To be honest, I had never thought about studying abroad before my parents pushing me to go to Canada. I was pretty much satisfied with my situation. I had a family, I had some close friends, I have opportunities to eat delicious Japanese cuisines: It seemed to me that There was no reason to leave Japan.