When I was little, I fell in love with Japanese culture. This led to a love of Manga, Japanese Movies, Japanese Traditions, and Anime, and caused me to further pursue an interest in learning the language. I started learning Japanese in High School, and fell in love with it. I decided to continue my studies into college, and once I had obtained my AA degree from my local community College, I transferred into CSUMB as a Japanese Language and Culture Major. One of that factors that led me to join CSUMB was the excellent study abroad program, because I had a deep desire to have a chance to live in Japan.
I have learned so much about Japanese language and culture during my time here at CSUMB. There have been many interesting and informative classes that have helped further my major. One such class was Business Japanese which helped fulfill my MLO1, where I learned about the ins and outs of working for a business in Japan. I was able to learn about everything from formal language to proper business practices and behaviors. Another thing that I have learned thatt felt was very important was Japanese history and literature which helped me fulfill mu MLO2. I also loved learning about Japanese folklore from the literature that I read. I have lover Japanese ghost stories and mythology since I was little, so having the chance to read the stories that they came from and learn about their basis was a great experience for me. I also enjoyed the opportunity to learn not only about Japanese culture but a secondary culture in my Aztec Art course, which covered my MLO3. I had never really learned about ancient American cultures, so it was a new and interesting experience for me.
Learning how to make a Capstone project, from start to finish, is also something that I am proud of. I had never done such an in depth research project before, so it was a real challenge for me. Thanks to my JAPN 404 Advanced Japanese for Presentational Communication class, I was able to successfully complete my capstone project in English and Japanese and thesis paper in Japanese and English, which completes my MLO4.
When I got to study abroad in Japan, it was like a dream come true for me. I had always wanted to stay in Japan for an extended period of time, and by living there I feel that my Japanese ability greatly improved, and this completed my MLO5. Being immersed in a language is proven to be one of the best ways to learn that language, so I was very excited and happy to have been given that opportunity. My time spent there will always be a bright point in my memory and I will treasure the experiences I had while there.
My initial goal when joining CSUMB was simply to learn the Japanese language and understand the culture better. I feel now that that goal was very vague and shallow, and that I was unable to comprehend to real depth of what I would be learning until I actually experienced it. I didn't know just how much I would enjoy learning the different nuances and social aspects of Japanese culture, and how it was so dependent on the religion that particular cultural practice came from. My goal changed from wanting a general understanding to a desire for a native level of understanding and fluency.
After completing this program, the thing that I am most proud of would be my abilities to speak, converse, and listen in Japanese. I have also gained a greater understanding of Japanese Culture, and feel accomplished when I am able to understand a cultural reference that is considered obscure. I have improved greatly in those aspects from when I first started here, so I am very happy with my progress. Of course there is always more room for improvement, and I know that I will continually be learning new things far into the future.
In the future, I would like to increase my abilities with reading and writing in Japanese. I would like to also increase my competency in Japanese academic and formal language. I feel that formal language is very import in Japan, and being able to use it effectively will be very beneficial for my future.
I have learned so much about Japanese language and culture during my time here at CSUMB. There have been many interesting and informative classes that have helped further my major. One such class was Business Japanese which helped fulfill my MLO1, where I learned about the ins and outs of working for a business in Japan. I was able to learn about everything from formal language to proper business practices and behaviors. Another thing that I have learned thatt felt was very important was Japanese history and literature which helped me fulfill mu MLO2. I also loved learning about Japanese folklore from the literature that I read. I have lover Japanese ghost stories and mythology since I was little, so having the chance to read the stories that they came from and learn about their basis was a great experience for me. I also enjoyed the opportunity to learn not only about Japanese culture but a secondary culture in my Aztec Art course, which covered my MLO3. I had never really learned about ancient American cultures, so it was a new and interesting experience for me.
Learning how to make a Capstone project, from start to finish, is also something that I am proud of. I had never done such an in depth research project before, so it was a real challenge for me. Thanks to my JAPN 404 Advanced Japanese for Presentational Communication class, I was able to successfully complete my capstone project in English and Japanese and thesis paper in Japanese and English, which completes my MLO4.
When I got to study abroad in Japan, it was like a dream come true for me. I had always wanted to stay in Japan for an extended period of time, and by living there I feel that my Japanese ability greatly improved, and this completed my MLO5. Being immersed in a language is proven to be one of the best ways to learn that language, so I was very excited and happy to have been given that opportunity. My time spent there will always be a bright point in my memory and I will treasure the experiences I had while there.
My initial goal when joining CSUMB was simply to learn the Japanese language and understand the culture better. I feel now that that goal was very vague and shallow, and that I was unable to comprehend to real depth of what I would be learning until I actually experienced it. I didn't know just how much I would enjoy learning the different nuances and social aspects of Japanese culture, and how it was so dependent on the religion that particular cultural practice came from. My goal changed from wanting a general understanding to a desire for a native level of understanding and fluency.
After completing this program, the thing that I am most proud of would be my abilities to speak, converse, and listen in Japanese. I have also gained a greater understanding of Japanese Culture, and feel accomplished when I am able to understand a cultural reference that is considered obscure. I have improved greatly in those aspects from when I first started here, so I am very happy with my progress. Of course there is always more room for improvement, and I know that I will continually be learning new things far into the future.
In the future, I would like to increase my abilities with reading and writing in Japanese. I would like to also increase my competency in Japanese academic and formal language. I feel that formal language is very import in Japan, and being able to use it effectively will be very beneficial for my future.