Week 3

Sunday:

     Sunday, being the day before classes start, was a day of bittersweet freedom and relaxation (as well as preparation). There was a ramen festival in downtown Oyama, but when we got there the lines were so long that we ended up eating at the train station instead. However, after that, we went to a local park and participated in the cherry blossom festival. This basically consists of sitting outside on a picnic blanket, eating and drinking, and people watching (as well as looking at cherry blossoms).

Monday: First Day of Classes!

       9-10:30 ~ Japanese Intermediate A

Even though this class is called “intermediate,” it is actually for advanced level students.  However, I am going to try and take it to further my fluency.

      10:50-12:20~ Japanese IA

      1:00-2:30~ Japanese IIA

Japanese IA and IIA are actually intermediate classes. They both use the same textbooks and are basically a “single” class (just separated into two sessions).

Tuesday:

      9-10:30~ Life in Japan A

      10:50-12:20~ Life in Japan B

                These two classes are basically culture classes taught in Japanese.

     2:50-4:20~ Intercultural Understanding

This class is taught in fluent Japanese and is basically an anthropology and sociology class. We’ll be focusing on English speaking cultures and comparing them with Japanese thought.

Wednesday

     2:50-4:20~Economic English

This is an advanced English class. We were encouraged to take this class in order to support and/or provide conversation practice to the Japanese students taking the course. There is a lot of English reading in this class, so it provides a needed break from the Japanese-heavy course load.

Thursday

      9:00-10:30~Japan in the World A

      10:50-12:20~Japan in the World D

                These classes combine learning Japanese culture with also learning grammar.

     1-2:30~ Japanese IIIA

                Yet another advanced Japanese class that I decided to take.

     2:50-4:20~Japanese Intermediate B

                An easy class. I decided to take it though because extra review is always good.

     4:40-6:10~Japanese Culture in English

                This is, again, a class taught in English (see Economic English).

Friday

     On Friday, I did some laundry and homework. Then I went to my first club meeting! I decided the join the Shorinji Kempo club here at Hakuoh. Since I’ve done karate in the past, I thought it would be a good way to meet other Japanese university students as well as get a workout. This class has long meetings. On Mondays, Tuesdays, and Fridays, they meet 5 PM to 8 PM. Then on Saturdays, they meet 1-5 PM. I will get a lot of exercise and practice!

Saturday

      On Saturday, I did a bit of homework in the morning, and then went to Shorinji Kempo in the afternoon (1-5 PM!). After that, I relaxed with some friends and planned out next week. Tomorrow, I’ll be going to the grocery and doing more homework.

Reflections

    Overall the first week of classes went very well! I like the professors, and while I’m definitely taking some challenging classes, I think I can do it! I’m also enjoying the shorinji kempo club and am excited to continue!