Integrative Narrative
How did I choose Japanese Language and Culture for my major?
The short story is, it seemed the best suited for my talents.
The long story, began when I was younger and fascinated with ancient cultures and civilizations. With the help of my father's old dictionary, I would try and learn dead languages. That fascination has never left. I had been peripherally aware of Japanese culture in my life from my father's business trips and the gifts he returned with for a 7 year old in love with Pokemon. However, it was in middle school that I was formally introduced to Japanese language & culture by a friend who's father happened to be Japanese. Stuck in a school that only offered one foreign language (Spanish), the thought of learning a language of a culture I had long been interested in was a joyous realization. I do not deny the usefulness and practicality of learning Spanish in California, nor do I regret my time taking that class, but for a youth to find enthusiasm and a connection with their work is invaluable. It was my good fortune to go to a high school that offered Japanese for all 4 years. Unsure of my future plans, I explored several possible career pathways in community college. However, both in and out of class, none held my interest and enthusiasm better than studying Japanese. Ultimately my interests in languages and cultures, as well as my desire to connect with them, drove me to become a Japanese Language and Culture major.
During my time at CSUMB, I have learned practical skills - how to create and analyze research through MLO 4, developed my communication skills in the classroom and abroad with MLOs 1 and 5, and learned so much more about Japanese culture, and the history and humanity behind it with MLO 3. These past years have really been about self-discovery, however. For example, realizing I can communicate with people in Japanese, that I enjoy helping people even in spite of not being fond of children (thanks to my Service Learning experience), and that while culture is nice, connecting with people is so much more important and meaningful than just consuming cultural products.
I have had many positive and formative experiences in CSUMB's Japanese Program. Nonetheless, I am most proud that I finally made it to Japan and was able to connect with the people there, creating lifelong friendships. Living in a foreign country presents it's own set of unique day-to-day challenges, but it is these challenges that helped me improve myself, improve my language ability, and develop an understanding of the body language, emotions, and empathy of those from a radically different culture. Even though we may speak different languages and have different experiences growing up, instead of being separated by that, what brings us together is our humanity - that despite all of these dissimilar things, we are able to relate to one another. I am proud to be a part of that by bridging the language gap.
The future holds all kinds of possibilities. My initial step is to continue developing my language skills and take the JLPT (Japanese Language Proficiency Test), which certifies proficiency of non-native speakers, and potentially develop an after-school Japanese language program for my former middle school. Although it does not relate to Japanese, I wish to develop a stronger sense of community by volunteering at my local Senior Center, thanks in part to my positive experiences performing service for underprivileged children. Furthermore, though I will continue to learn things about Japan and Japanese, I look forward to expanding my communication skills to yet another language in the future.
The short story is, it seemed the best suited for my talents.
The long story, began when I was younger and fascinated with ancient cultures and civilizations. With the help of my father's old dictionary, I would try and learn dead languages. That fascination has never left. I had been peripherally aware of Japanese culture in my life from my father's business trips and the gifts he returned with for a 7 year old in love with Pokemon. However, it was in middle school that I was formally introduced to Japanese language & culture by a friend who's father happened to be Japanese. Stuck in a school that only offered one foreign language (Spanish), the thought of learning a language of a culture I had long been interested in was a joyous realization. I do not deny the usefulness and practicality of learning Spanish in California, nor do I regret my time taking that class, but for a youth to find enthusiasm and a connection with their work is invaluable. It was my good fortune to go to a high school that offered Japanese for all 4 years. Unsure of my future plans, I explored several possible career pathways in community college. However, both in and out of class, none held my interest and enthusiasm better than studying Japanese. Ultimately my interests in languages and cultures, as well as my desire to connect with them, drove me to become a Japanese Language and Culture major.
During my time at CSUMB, I have learned practical skills - how to create and analyze research through MLO 4, developed my communication skills in the classroom and abroad with MLOs 1 and 5, and learned so much more about Japanese culture, and the history and humanity behind it with MLO 3. These past years have really been about self-discovery, however. For example, realizing I can communicate with people in Japanese, that I enjoy helping people even in spite of not being fond of children (thanks to my Service Learning experience), and that while culture is nice, connecting with people is so much more important and meaningful than just consuming cultural products.
I have had many positive and formative experiences in CSUMB's Japanese Program. Nonetheless, I am most proud that I finally made it to Japan and was able to connect with the people there, creating lifelong friendships. Living in a foreign country presents it's own set of unique day-to-day challenges, but it is these challenges that helped me improve myself, improve my language ability, and develop an understanding of the body language, emotions, and empathy of those from a radically different culture. Even though we may speak different languages and have different experiences growing up, instead of being separated by that, what brings us together is our humanity - that despite all of these dissimilar things, we are able to relate to one another. I am proud to be a part of that by bridging the language gap.
The future holds all kinds of possibilities. My initial step is to continue developing my language skills and take the JLPT (Japanese Language Proficiency Test), which certifies proficiency of non-native speakers, and potentially develop an after-school Japanese language program for my former middle school. Although it does not relate to Japanese, I wish to develop a stronger sense of community by volunteering at my local Senior Center, thanks in part to my positive experiences performing service for underprivileged children. Furthermore, though I will continue to learn things about Japan and Japanese, I look forward to expanding my communication skills to yet another language in the future.