Day 9

So, it's Thursday, nearing the end of the first full week of classes.  Have I really made the correct decision in coming here and immersing myself in the language?  Should I have just stayed home?  Well, clearly the correct answers to those questions are, respectively, yes and no.  After being here for a week, I really ask myself why I didn't start studying this language earlier, like before high school.

Never mind that, that's the past, this is the present, and I'm here.  Class so far has been a little bit like classes at UC, but there are several drastic differences.  Take for example, the class itself - we are a multicultural, diverse group of about 13 students, all speaking Japanese together.  We're all enthusiastic about learning, and always give every ounce of effort for the entire class.  But the class structure is where it begins to differ - here it is more conversation based, and also includes more repetition/practice of subjects rather than introducing 10 new things and only having the ability to retain 3 or 4 of them.  I heavily agree with the set up of the program here, and feel that UC could learn a few lessons from this place, by either implementing different paths of Japanese (a more writing based class with some speaking, or a more speaking based class with some writing), but then again, you would just run into problems with set up and also, for some students, negate the necessity of Noto sensei's first year textbook.

Okay, rambling over.  Test tomorrow, so really short post here.  Also, most likely going to Tokyo this weekend.  Another thing on my list that will hopefully be checked off within 72 hours :)

I didn't actually take any pictures yesterday, so you'll just have to enjoy your zen by yourself today.  Sorry.  More to come later.