I first became interested in Korea when I was in high school. At the time, there was a Korea boom, and I became interested after seeing Korean idols featured on television. In my third year of high school, influenced by those around me, I had more opportunities to watch Korean news programs and works. I wanted to be able to watch Korean dramas without subtitles and understand interviews with Korean celebrities, so I decided to major in Korean at university. As I studied Korean seriously at university, my teachers not only taught me the language, but also talked about Korean culture and local areas, which made me want to take classes and learn for myself. In the future, I also aim to obtain a license as a guide-interpreter and work as an interpreter. I believe that going on a long-term exchange program will help me with my future career.

★I have three goals while studying abroad.
1. An interest in the Korean language and culture. While studying Korean, I have developed a deep interest not only in the language itself, but also in the cultural background and people's values that are embedded in it. For example, the use of polite and honorific language reflects the unique interpersonal relationships and age perceptions of Korean society, and I feel that there are aspects of this that cannot be fully understood by simply learning vocabulary and grammar. Therefore, during this 10-month study abroad, I aim to not only learn in the classroom, but also to experience the natural usage of Korean, the way Koreans think, and cultural customs through real-life experiences. Through my local experiences, I hope to understand that language and culture are closely linked and to acquire practical knowledge and an open sensibility that cannot be obtained from textbooks.
2. Personal growth through intercultural exchange. During my study abroad, I aim to actively interact with local Korean students and international students to deepen my understanding of different cultures. By confronting differences in language, values, and ways of thinking, I hope to broaden my perspective and develop flexible thinking and adaptability. The job of an interpreter is not just about translating languages; it also requires the ability to accurately convey the underlying culture and nuances. For this reason, I feel that the experience of actually interacting with people from different cultures is extremely important in building a foundation for my future as an interpreter. One of my major goals in studying abroad is to develop the ability to communicate while respecting others through intercultural exchange and to grow as a person.


3. To deepen self-understanding. By leaving the familiarity of Japan and immersing myself in an environment with a different language and culture, I hope to reexamine how my values and way of thinking have been formed and use this as an opportunity to understand myself more objectively. I anticipate that during my study abroad, I will experience confusion, failure, and cultural gaps. However, I believe that these experiences will help me become aware of my own weaknesses and strengths, as well as my thinking habits and emotional tendencies. I also believe that being in a situation where what I have taken for granted no longer applies will provide a good opportunity to think more deeply about what is truly important to me and the direction I want to take in the future.