国際交流センター

【留学先】  College of Saint Benedict and Saint John’s University
【学　部】  外国語学部　国際教養コミュニケーション専攻　　　
【期　間】  2022年8月22日～2023年5月16日　　　　　　　　　　　
【氏　名】  T・Kさん（留学時：2～3年生）

Spring semester has started. I experienced so many things at fall semester, and each moment was fun, difficult, and precious. Now, I start new semester with new classes, environment, and people. I’m taking four classes in this semester, which is ESL, Gender and Communication, Intro to Video, and Japanese Folklore.

First of all, my goal of this class is that I will be able to explain many kinds of article clearly. ESL has reading assignment which read the New York Times. I need to read one article and summarize main points every time, then I share my article in the class. This assignment is very necessary thing and helpful for me because I can improve all English skills. Every class we talk about different topics so sometimes we have to understand very specific topic, also it is very hard to explain what I read about for other students clearly, and briefly.

Secondly, Gender Communication is one of the most challenging classes for me this semester. Basically, contents of class are super high level, there are a lot of reading assignments, and they talk very quickly. My goal is sharing my opinion at least one time in the discussion. This class is based on the discussion so I have a lot of chances to talk, but I couldn’t. Even I have an opinion, I hesitate to speak because I am thinking that I might say wrong things. I understand I should leave from it as soon as possible. I will struggle to do two more months.

Thirdly, Intro to Video class is more activity class compared to other three classes. In this class, I learn about how to make a film such as camera angles, lighting, and editing. After I learned these kinds of things, I make original videos virtually. This class is very fun for me because I can make original video by myself. I like to watch movies, TV shows, and YouTube, so it’s really nice that I can do similar things like these. Now, I am taking a big assignment, and after I finish it, I will show the video on public. It will be held on the end of April. My goal is to make a great film.

The last class is Japanese Folklore. This class has five or six times to speak story in front of others call Kaidankai. I choose one story and speak with memorizing. This is like a small speech contest, it’s little bit nervous, but good practice to speak. This class is mainly learning Yokai. I know some of name of Yokai, but I don’t know much about details so I can learn new information about it. My goal is to understand Japanese folktale, and how it relates in Japan’s society.

I struggled to interact with people in fall semester, but I am trying to go to place where I can interact with people in this semester more. Students who went to Japan as study abroad are back. Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday have language lab and Japanese corner, so these are good chances to talk with people. I go to there many times than fall semester and increase to talk in English. Thankfully, I could get along with people who will come to Japan next semester. I’m really excited to meet these people again in Japan. I have only almost two months. I feel nervous and rushing myself because I don’t have a confident. Learning language is very difficult to feel how much I can improve my skills. However, I will do what I must to be able to grow up for the future.