Hello everyone,
My name is Shira Taube and I'm a student from Haifa University- Israel. I’m currently finishing a year of studying in the Japanese language program at Waseda University, and I would like to share some of this year's experiences with you.
It’s hard to believe a year already passed by. Two semesters are almost over. When I saw the new students arriving this semester I was reminded how shocked I was when I first arrived here. How the language barrier was so unpleasant and how everything seemed so different. That changes with time.
On my first semester at Waseda i studied in level 2. We were learning every day a lot of new material, and though I learned a lot, I some times felt as if I couldn't really use all that I'm studying. Nevertheless, the atmosphere in class was not too stressing, and through the teachers, the teaching method, the content of the texts we read, I also got the opportunity to know and experience by myself, some of the Japanese habits, culture and individuals. It was an interesting challenge.
Now, on my second semester at Waseda I choose a different program. In this program we don't study with books or lectures. But instead, in a small group of students, teacher and a student volunteer - we talk, write essays and learn how to express our thoughts in Japanese. I enjoy this program very much as I'm able to use to use the knowledge I have in Japanese to express my own thoughts and feelings.
Beside that, the atmosphere in here in Waseda is always very warm. The teachers, the workers in the Japanese language centre and in the CIE, who knows most of us personally, are always helping, advising and preparing activities for the students.
I would like to wish you, upon your arrival to Waseda, to enjoy and learn as much as you can from your experience here. May this experience be interesting, challenging, different and most important, may it be your own personal one.
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