Student Voices: CJS

Center for Japanese Studies (Intensive Japanese Program)

My interest in Japan originally came from anime. Although I watched a lot before I entered college, I didn’t start studying the language until then, and when I did start studying it, I didn’t think it was something that I would want to take very seriously. In a later semester, I decided to retake Japanese. That semester was the first time in my college career that I had gotten straight A’s and during it I realized how much I enjoyed learning about foreign languages. That’s when I started to consider trying to get a job where I could use my Japanese. After a few more good semesters I had brought my GPA up enough that I wasn’t paying for my classes out of pocket anymore and I realized that I had a chance to apply for the study abroad program through my school. I wasn’t sure if I should go or not because I didn’t know if I could afford it but in the end with encouragement from my family I decide to apply and now I’ve found myself in the CJS program studying in Japan.

In my time here CJS has had a lot of different activities and events going on for students to join as well as they have provided all kinds of support with the processes that exchange students have to go through for the Japanese government. If I was ever worried about anything I felt they were a place that I could go to get help with it. Thankfully my time here has been without any major issues so I’ve been able to relax and focus on enjoying my studies and Japan instead. Just living here has been a new experience for me. I’m from a fairly rural place in the United States so I don’t have a lot of experience with living in a heavily populated area or having access to public transportation. Despite all of the programs that have been available to join the thing I’ve liked the most was simply walking around the city and experiencing everyday life here. I’ve gained a perspective on what life can be like that I had never had before and I’ve been able to develop a clearer goal for what I want my life to be in the future.

After I return home, I have one more semester before I graduate. During that time, I plan to look into what kind of career I’d like to have that will let me continue to use and develop my Japanese skills and maybe be able to come to Japan again.

If someone has the opportunity to study abroad, I would tell them to absolutely take it. Even if you already know about a different culture nothing beats being able to experience it for yourself.