Integrative Narrative
First and foremost, explaining why I chose to major in Japanese Language and Culture at CSUMB is not something I can do within few words.
Language studies in a number of different forms have captured my interest since I was very young. As I explained in my personal statement, there was a very memorable event in my childhood that I attribute to bringing about my interest in the Japanese language. From that time forward, however, I remained a mono-lingual English speaker for close to 10 years while, while casual studying many sub-branches with the field of linguistics. After graduating and transferring from community college, deciding to major in Japanese Language and Culture seemed like the natural progression to me. Looking back on that decision now, I am certain that I made the right one.
By taking courses focused on various aspects of the Japanese language and Japan's culture both at CSUMB as well as at Okayama University in Japan as an exchange student, I was given much opportunity and freedom to improve upon the language/culture base I had already began molding through self study.
In terms of how my experience tied in with MLO 1, through a number of experiences I have had over the last 4 years I fully believe that I have made considerable progress in terms of my Japanese interpersonal, interpretive and presentational skills. While abroad, I took courses with students from backgrounds far different from my own, primarily those from China, Taiwan, and Korea. In the classroom it was of course necessary to become proficient enough to communicate with my classmates and teachers for communications sake. Along the way though I grew interested in their own cultures as well and even know I still have plans upon graduating to return to studying Korean language and culture alongside Japanese.
I found it even more important in the larger Japanese society outside the classroom to foster my ability to communicate in Japanese. Even with some mistakes along the way, I learned how to make the best use of every opportunity available to me by getting a part-time job working at a nearby hostel, going out to sponsored cultural events in the larger community, and by making wonderful friendships and connections with member in the local community. Through these experiences, not only did I fulfill the goals set out in MLO 1, but by engaging directly with my host community and allowing myself to be fully immersed in local culture I also fulfilled what was outlined directly in MLO 2 and MLO 5.
During the latter half of my stay in Japan I tried my skills at the Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT) level 2 (second highest) and later received word that I passed the exam. Even after returning from Japan I made it a point to continue using Japanese on a regular basis each week, especially reading. During my final semester, I was urged to take the Avant STAMP proficiency test by my university. Much to my surprise, according to the results I received the highest score possible on the reading portion. With the close of this semester I will have completed my culminating capstone project (a Japanese research paper and nearly 30 minute length Japanese presentation) with one other partner (MLO 4).
All the goals I coincidentally set out to accomplish during my 3 years studying through CSUMB I have accomplished on paper as well as on
Language studies in a number of different forms have captured my interest since I was very young. As I explained in my personal statement, there was a very memorable event in my childhood that I attribute to bringing about my interest in the Japanese language. From that time forward, however, I remained a mono-lingual English speaker for close to 10 years while, while casual studying many sub-branches with the field of linguistics. After graduating and transferring from community college, deciding to major in Japanese Language and Culture seemed like the natural progression to me. Looking back on that decision now, I am certain that I made the right one.
By taking courses focused on various aspects of the Japanese language and Japan's culture both at CSUMB as well as at Okayama University in Japan as an exchange student, I was given much opportunity and freedom to improve upon the language/culture base I had already began molding through self study.
In terms of how my experience tied in with MLO 1, through a number of experiences I have had over the last 4 years I fully believe that I have made considerable progress in terms of my Japanese interpersonal, interpretive and presentational skills. While abroad, I took courses with students from backgrounds far different from my own, primarily those from China, Taiwan, and Korea. In the classroom it was of course necessary to become proficient enough to communicate with my classmates and teachers for communications sake. Along the way though I grew interested in their own cultures as well and even know I still have plans upon graduating to return to studying Korean language and culture alongside Japanese.
I found it even more important in the larger Japanese society outside the classroom to foster my ability to communicate in Japanese. Even with some mistakes along the way, I learned how to make the best use of every opportunity available to me by getting a part-time job working at a nearby hostel, going out to sponsored cultural events in the larger community, and by making wonderful friendships and connections with member in the local community. Through these experiences, not only did I fulfill the goals set out in MLO 1, but by engaging directly with my host community and allowing myself to be fully immersed in local culture I also fulfilled what was outlined directly in MLO 2 and MLO 5.
During the latter half of my stay in Japan I tried my skills at the Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT) level 2 (second highest) and later received word that I passed the exam. Even after returning from Japan I made it a point to continue using Japanese on a regular basis each week, especially reading. During my final semester, I was urged to take the Avant STAMP proficiency test by my university. Much to my surprise, according to the results I received the highest score possible on the reading portion. With the close of this semester I will have completed my culminating capstone project (a Japanese research paper and nearly 30 minute length Japanese presentation) with one other partner (MLO 4).
All the goals I coincidentally set out to accomplish during my 3 years studying through CSUMB I have accomplished on paper as well as on