MLO 5: Cultural Internalization and Language Immersion
Learning Outcomes:
5.1 Students demonstrate that they have actively immersed themselves in authentic Japanese cultural and linguistic environments and have internalized the language and cultural experience, from which they have developed a personal understanding and new perspectives of the community.
Courses taken:
ASE 290 Study Abroad
Reflective Narrative:
5.1 Eat, breath, think, feel, live Japan! That was the plan when I left my little house in California to stay in Hikone, Shiga Prefecture, for one year. It was a dream come true and I was not willing to let that once in a lifetime opportunity go to waste. As soon as I arrived in Japan I tried to remember everything Japanese people had taught me in the past in order to apply it over there. From taking off my shoes when entering my apartment or anybody else's to the way of using the chopsticks and table manners. Using the bicycle everyday to get to and from school or work became a habit of mine, one I loved.
In order to get used to the culture I tried to take advantage of the love some Japanese people have for sports, particularly soccer since I do not know how to play any other sport properly. I sought out members of the university's soccer club and asked them for a chance to let me in. Getting into the club turned out to be the most amazing and rewarding experience overall in Japan, since it allowed me to make friends to talk in Japanese with, learn the disciplined way they have to practice sports, go places with them and observe their behavior in such places so I could emulate it.
Taking classes in Japan helped me improve my Japanese level and gain some confidence when writing and speaking mostly. My instructors tried to interact with me so I could get better in every aspect of the Japanese life, both culturally and socially which allowed me to do stuff that I was afraid to do at first, such as asking for a haircut which was difficult for me at first as absurd as it may seem. I got used to life in Japan, the pace and the people, I managed to get a couple part-time jobs which was a win-win situation for Japanese people and me since I was helping them improve their English skills while they made my listening, conversational and writing skills better in my target language.
Staying in Japan was definitely the best way for me to learn while challenging myself and getting rid of my fears. They helped me value my culture more, see it from a different perspective which made me be more open to new ideas, people and diversity in general.
LESCANT Flickr project
5.1 Students demonstrate that they have actively immersed themselves in authentic Japanese cultural and linguistic environments and have internalized the language and cultural experience, from which they have developed a personal understanding and new perspectives of the community.
Courses taken:
ASE 290 Study Abroad
Reflective Narrative:
5.1 Eat, breath, think, feel, live Japan! That was the plan when I left my little house in California to stay in Hikone, Shiga Prefecture, for one year. It was a dream come true and I was not willing to let that once in a lifetime opportunity go to waste. As soon as I arrived in Japan I tried to remember everything Japanese people had taught me in the past in order to apply it over there. From taking off my shoes when entering my apartment or anybody else's to the way of using the chopsticks and table manners. Using the bicycle everyday to get to and from school or work became a habit of mine, one I loved.
In order to get used to the culture I tried to take advantage of the love some Japanese people have for sports, particularly soccer since I do not know how to play any other sport properly. I sought out members of the university's soccer club and asked them for a chance to let me in. Getting into the club turned out to be the most amazing and rewarding experience overall in Japan, since it allowed me to make friends to talk in Japanese with, learn the disciplined way they have to practice sports, go places with them and observe their behavior in such places so I could emulate it.
Taking classes in Japan helped me improve my Japanese level and gain some confidence when writing and speaking mostly. My instructors tried to interact with me so I could get better in every aspect of the Japanese life, both culturally and socially which allowed me to do stuff that I was afraid to do at first, such as asking for a haircut which was difficult for me at first as absurd as it may seem. I got used to life in Japan, the pace and the people, I managed to get a couple part-time jobs which was a win-win situation for Japanese people and me since I was helping them improve their English skills while they made my listening, conversational and writing skills better in my target language.
Staying in Japan was definitely the best way for me to learn while challenging myself and getting rid of my fears. They helped me value my culture more, see it from a different perspective which made me be more open to new ideas, people and diversity in general.
LESCANT Flickr project