When I was a child my interest in Japan started by watching anime and playing some Japanese games. As I grew older I started to get an appreciation for Japan as a country. Studying its history, culture, food, language, etc, it has only gotten more fascinating the more that I learn.

This interest combined with a desire for self-improvement brought me to my current university, the University of Illinois.

I would also like to be a translator someday, or to perhaps teach English in Japan. I feel like going to Japan would be an excellent way for me to practice my Japanese and to get used to speaking more fluently in a way that a classroom at a university cannot provide.

My experiences here in Japan have been very good. Every day I am able to study Japanese though sometimes I may study a little too much.

My host family has been very nice to me and they are always willing to help me with any problems I may have. When an issue does occur between us we do our best to work through it together.

So far this year I have been able to go to Tokyo, Shikoku, Wakayama, and Kyoto and I have plans to go to Hiroshima in a few weeks. I believe it will be an excellent chance to immerse myself in Japanese culture once more.

Though sometimes staying in Japan is a little bit tough I always try to do my best and I am so glad to have gotten the chance to experience this excellent opportunity.

My experience in Japan was excellent. I was able to further practice Japanese and got closer to achieving my future dream of becoming a translator. I now believe that my Japanese is much better than when I first arrived. My host family has also continued to be an excellent experience and they help me whenever possible.

Over the past few months I have gone to Hirsoshima, Wakayama, and have returned to Fukuoka. I have also gotten better at exploring Japan on my own. I believe now that my Japanese has reached a level where I can safely go anywhere in Japan that I want. I also believe that o can understand a variety of Japanese accents.

Since coming here I have made contact with a multitude of Japanese corporations and spoken to them about my future prospects. I look forward to speaking with them once again after I graduate.

Though I have to return back to America soon I am very grateful for this opportunity and I look forwarding to returning to Japan sometime in the future.

Joseph Walters