From a young age many of my interests stemmed from Japan such as anime, tea, Nintendo, etc, and naturally, I began to want to learn more about Japan and its culture. The more I learned about Japan, the more I fell in love with the country and the way of life there. To really immerse myself in the culture, I began considering whether or not I should try and learn Japanese. At first, learning a new language seemed impossible, but one day while I was working my coworker looked at me and said, “If you really want to learn Japanese, just do it.” I realized at that moment the only thing keeping me from pursuing this path was myself. From that day on, I poured myself into teaching myself Japanese. Instantly I knew this was more than a mere interest, I wanted a future where speaking and learning Japanese was a part of it. Steadily my wall became covered in sticky notes of new words and notes about grammar patterns until you could barely see any of the white painted wall beneath. As I improved I gained something that felt like a super power, the ability to actually communicate with someone across the world in a whole different language. Using various apps, I made friends in Japan, and though the conversations we had were simple and short, I gained a whole new perspective of the world and way of life different from what I have been accustomed to.
Unfortunately there are limits to how much one can teach themselves, especially a new language. Determined to find a path where I can continue to learn about Japan and its language, I decided to change majors and am now currently majoring in Japanese. Instruction provided in a classroom definitely facilitates a strong education; however, everyday spoken Japanese and culture can not be learned from a textbook alone. Language is a form of communication, and in order to communicate a person must converse with those around them. At the University of Pittsburgh, opportunities to engage with others in Japanese are hard to come by. In order to most effectively and efficiently learn, studying abroad was the obvious next choice. True fluency requires more than mastering vocabulary and grammar; it also requires stepping outside the classroom to properly understand the people, history, traditions, and everyday life that give the language meaning. Konan University provides the ideal environment for achieving those goals. Its location in Kobe offers the opportunity to experience daily life in a city where English accommodations are greatly reduced, creating countless opportunities to practice Japanese through interactions with classmates, residents, and the surrounding community. At the same time, Konan’s welcoming international community and commitment to global engagement foster meaningful cultural exchange, allowing me not only to deepen my understanding of Japan but also to share my own experiences.
My time in Japan will without a doubt be an enriching experience. During my year stay I look forward to the opportunity to learn authentic Japanese, communicate with the locals, experience a whole new way of life and perspectives, and to one day be able to provide back to the community using the skills I have learned while abroad.