During my last two years of high school, I was given the opportunity to study Japanese at Eastern Washington University. Within the first month of class I knew that this was my passion. The Japanese language is so complex and different from English, every time I stepped into the classroom, I learned something new and intriguing.
I’ve been involved with Japanese exchange students at Eastern, learning about their culture, and practicing Japanese and English. These interactions paired with the fact I have completed all Japanese courses offered, which only went to year 2, solidified my decision to study abroad. While I am very grateful to have native Japanese speakers to practice with, I knew I wanted more. I want full emersion to push myself to the limits.
I chose to study at Kobe City University of Foreign Studies because my Sensei recommended choosing their Japanese Language Program if I want to challenge myself. Another reason for choosing KCFUS is it’s located in the Kansai region. I really would love to learn Kansai dialect, I think it’s super cool!
I know I have a long way to go to improve my Japanese level, but my end goal of this experience is to understand and hold conversations with Native Japanese speakers. I will focus on improving my listening skills, as that is something I struggle with, as well as my conversational skills.
I am so grateful to be accepted into KCFUS program and to have the chance to study abroad in Japan!! It truly is a once-in-a-time experience that I will take full advantage of!

At the beginning of my study abroad, I was very nervous due to the fact that my Japanese level was low, and that I didn’t have a lot of Japanese conversation practice at a fast/native level. Despite this, the staff and teachers at KCUFS were all very nice and supportive! When classes began, it was very difficult at first. Compared to my home University, classes were very different. At EWU, we only learned grammar, but at KCUFS JLP classes, we learned not only grammar, but various other Japanese subjects to prepare for the JLPT. I was really anxious due to this fact, but the teachers and my upperclassmen were all very nice and encouraging. Thanks to them, I was able to quickly get used to classes. At KCUFS, I was able to join many different clubs! I joined the volleyball and tennis club, where I was able to make a lot of Japanese friends, as well as experience Japanese college life. Thanks to everybody's support and kindness, I was able to get used to Japanese life very quickly. I was not only able to learn about Japanese culture, I was able to learn about other cultures from my upperclassmen! I am so grateful to have the opportunity to study abroad! I will continue to study hard!

While living in Hyogo Prefecture as an exchange student, my way of thinking changed profoundly. I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to live in Japan and immerse myself in its language and culture. Throughout the Japanese language program, my proficiency and overall knowledge improved significantly.

Before coming to Japan, my Japanese level was approximately N4. Although I understood basic grammar and kanji, I had never formally studied reading, listening, conversation, or writing at an advanced level in university. As a result, even the lowest-level class was extremely challenging for me. All classes were conducted entirely in Japanese, and all tests and materials were also in Japanese, which made each day demanding.

Nevertheless, my Japanese gradually improved. After the summer break, I was able to clearly recognize my own growth. Although I did not study from textbooks during the summer, I read Japanese manga and spoke with Japanese friends every day. As a result, when I returned for the fall semester, my listening and reading skills had improved dramatically. I became able to understand texts without translating them into English in my head, and my listening comprehension became more natural. In December, I took and passed the JLPT N3 examination.

Before coming to Japan, my goal was to be able to express my thoughts and feelings in Japanese. I have achieved that goal; however, I am not yet fully satisfied with my language ability. I intend to continue studying and further refine my Japanese skills.

In the future, I hope to return to Japan and pursue a master’s degree in economics in Hyogo Prefecture. I also aspire to work for a trading company in Kobe. After living in Hyogo for one year, I truly came to love this region. I am especially fond of Kobe’s atmosphere. Compared to Osaka or Tokyo, it is less crowded and offers a calm and comfortable environment. It is also conveniently located, with easy access to Himeji, Sannomiya, Osaka, Universal Studios Japan, Kyoto, and Nara. My experience living in Hyogo has helped me clearly define my future goals.