Why I am Studying Japanese

This past summer, I had the chance to visit Japan for the first time. As a member of a missions team with my church, I traveled to Ishinomaki, Iwaki, Tokyo, and Yokohama, making new friends, eating delicious foods, and taking many many pictures. The entire trip was only two weeks, but it was enough for me to fall in love with the country.

Prior to this trip, I had very little awareness of Japan's culture. I also did not know any Japanese. But after the first day, I knew I wanted to come back for a longer period of time - this would mean that I would probably have to learn the language. If I were to go back for whatever reason - career or travel - I would love to speak with my Japanese friends in their native tongue. There is something special about communicating through each other's native languages, and I hope to become advanced enough to express my thoughts comfortably.

The Japanese language course will also help me fulfill my East Asian Studies major requirements. I am simultaneously taking 3rd year Korean, which will complete my language requirement, but I wanted to learn another language as my elective because of its practical use outside of school. It's also a lot more fun than a seminar.

It's been a great four weeks so far, and I am looking forward to the rest of the semester and beyond!

Tokyo

Iwaki Train Station

Soba

こんにちは

こんにちは。はじめまして。わたしは　ゆなです。　どうぞ　よろしく。にゅーじゃーじーから　きました。かんこくじん　です。Columbia だいがくの　さんねんせい　がくせい　です。はたち　です。わたしの　せんせいは　ぱくせんせい　です。