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[The_IGN_Man]

Alright, I know I'm waaay late to this thread, but I read through it when it first appeared, attempted to log in and post,... and found out my account, for whatever reason, no longer existed. I assume it's because I hadn't posted in so long. (This thread made me want to )

Anyway, I'm in the middle of taking my second year of Japanese courses here at UCLA (as a third year student), and I'm hoping to be in Japan all of next year studying abroad. I've been to Japan twice. The first time was the summer between my junior/senior years in high school for about a month and a half. I've got a wonderful host family I've kept in very close touch with since. The second time was the summer before last, when I traveled all over the country for 3 weeks with nothing but a friend and a dictionary (of the two, only the dictionary spoke Japanese). Needless to say, both trips were a lot of fun, and only reinforced my admiration for the Japanese culture, traditions, and society. It's got it's problems of course, but who doesn't...

I turned in my study abroad app long ago to the university offices, and now I'm just waiting to hear back. I'm a computer science major (only a Japanese minor), so my program is a year-long, engineering program where I'll be doing research with a professor for the year. I'd love to have taken a year off of CS work to just relax a bit and take only Japanese-related courses, but time and money didn't permit it. I think either of my options should be a lot of fun though. My first choice was Tohoku University in the Sendai, Japan, and my second choice was Tokyo Institute of Technology. I'd be happy to get into either, but from my stand point, I think the experiences I'll have are equal in importance to the education I'll receive. What I mean is, while I'm positive the engineering at TIT is the best, I think I'll have a better overall experience at Tohoku. For one, I've been to Tokyo twice, and I think I'd definitely like living in a more rural area for a year. I also figured I'd have a better chance of speaking Japanese there since a lot more people in Tokyo would understand English. My goal is to speak nothing but Japanese all day, everyday in an attempt to become as fluent as possible during the year. Aside from that, I think I'll get a more well-rounded study body at Tohoku since it's a general university like UCLA, as opposed to strictly an engineering school (which is what TIT is).

After receiving confirmation of my new GAF account, I've *finally* been able to post this. Anyone have any feedback for me? In particular, anyone have any experience with Sendai?

 

[Acosta]

This year has been my first visit to Japan after long years of research about culture, history (videogames count of course, but it´s far from being my only motivation). I grew up full of Japanese influence so my first visit has been very emotive for me.

My actual plan is not so much living there as to pass half the year there anually. I want to be between Spain and Japan (I don´t think I can leave Spain, I´m in love with my house in the beach). This year I have started journalism to reinforce my work as freelance videogame "journalist", so I won´t be able to do that move until 2007.

Next year I will pass two weeks instead of 4 days like this year, and during my career will try to spend even more time (one or two months) while I learn japanese and get more job. Once finished with the career and, hopefully, with a decent level of japanese, I will be ready to stay there half o more the year.

 

[HAOHMARU]

I lived in Yokohama for 2 years...I was pretty much forced out due to my employers job requirements. I could go back if I want though...I'm seriously considering another job move in 2007 that could send me back.

My advice is to get out and explore Japan. I learned the most Japanese by just getting lost in the places I would visit and trying to find my way around. I didn't get to visit Sapporo, Osaka, Nagaski, Hiroshima or climb Fuji-san. I wish I had more time but it just didn't work out.

Kyoto was amazing, Nagano/Hakuba was awesome...and of course all of Tokyo, Yokohama, Kamakura. It was probably one of the best experiences in my life, and I would reccommend to anyone that they should visit at least once in their life.

I've been back in the U.S. for about 6 months now, and while I am glad that I can see my friends and family again, I really miss living in Japan. I really need to learn more Japanese before I go back. My vocab is limited and my pronouncation sucks too...oh well.