Why did I choose Japanese?
My reasons for studying Japanese stemmed from an interest in Japanese entertainment and grew into a desire to understand the unique Japanese language and culture. Specifically, the Japanese Language and Culture major program was ideal for me because it provided me with a direct path to reach those goals. Through the program I was presented with lessons, materials, and teachers who had vast experiences in the field that I dreamed to be in; I could not have attained these resources without this department and it's support.
What have I learned?
Entering this University program straight out of high school, I had yet to be introduced to "real life" outside of my comfort zone. With the assistance of the Japanese program and it's advisors, I became independent, responsible, and reliable. The challenges that were presented to be forced me to mature and to accept that things would not come easily, but that my hard work and perseverance would pay off in the end. The classes that I took at CSU Monterey Bay can be seen in the 'terms' section of this website, as well as the Major Learning Outcomes (MLO's) which is under 'MLOs' identifying what my academic goals and objectives were during my time at this university. In those classes I learned Japanese business, history, geography, social issues, often times taught solely in Japanese. In Japanese business (JAPN 312) I became a speaker, in Service Learning I became a leader, and in all of these classes my abilities continue to develop.
My proudest moment
In the fall of 2013, through the Japanese program at CSUMB and another program called Exchange Program Okayama (EPOK), I was able to attend a University in Japan in the city of Okayama. If I had believed my dreams were high before, this experience would far surpass them. I learned more about Japan than I ever thought would be possible and simultaneously found myself learning more about myself. I spent 11 months in Okayama, and those eleven months would forever change who I am and the life I live. When I returned from Okayama, my reading and listening comprehension seemed to have sky-rocketed along with my confidence. I am less afraid of making mistakes and more willing to speak. This year in Japan was by far my greatest experience, and I will forever be proud of my ability to take the leap into the Study Abroad Program and my ability to immerse myself in a totally foreign country in order to better myself and my goals as a Japanese major student.
Objectives
After graduating California State University Monterey Bay, I plan to become an interpreter. It is very likely that I will attend a graduate school in order to fulfill this next goal. However rather than finding myself afraid of the new obstacles, I am welcoming them. In five years, I have changed in ways no one could have imagined and I will continue to move forward, the memories of my time spent at CSUMB and Okayama safely tucked into my thoughts forever.