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Experiencing Japanese culture at first hand at Doshisha, one of the vital centers of higher education in Japan
GLODO, Monika
I’ve been interested in Japanese culture since I was a child, but as far as I can remember, this interest was actually originally sparked by a desire to know how to read and write ‘kanji’. Through studying Japanese I also became interested in Linguistics, and I’m now researching for an MA Thesis on the use of irony in Japanese. My motive in coming to Japan to study, having always wanted to learn about the country, was to see everything with my own eyes. Doshisha’s Programme, as one would expect of such a well renowned establishment, is pretty tough. Just as my predecessors had warned me, the level is high.
For those looking to improve their Japanese, there’s no question that department’s morning language classes are huge benefit. For me however, the course that left the greatest impression was without “Japanese Life and Culture 1”. A chance to get out of the classroom and experience things first hand, I’d recommend it to anyone.
You can acquire rich Japanese expressions naturally
Han Yu Sun
A half year has passed since I started studying at Doshisha University Center for Japanese Language and Culture in September last year. I am studying Japanese at an advanced course.
The real pleasure of Japanese education in the Center for Japanese Language is that you can come across rich Japanese expressions. I have never experienced such in my home country.
The charm of the Center lies particularly in its guidance. Under the systematic teaching system, you can acquire Japanese Language naturally.
In the Japanese language class of the Center, you can master Japanese as a living language before you are aware because you can learn sentence patterns and vocabularies repeatedly.
Furthermore, thanks to my entrance to Doshisha University Center for Japanese Language and Culture, I was able to get very good friends. My student life in Japan gave me the fruits of studies as well as many happy memories in my life.
Since the Center for Japanese Language is located in the middle of the Imadegawa Campus of Doshisha University, you have a lot of opportunities to communicate with Japanese students majoring in different studies.
Why don’t you go out from the classroom and feel delight in using Japanese which you have learned in the classroom?
Making a “quantum leap” of improvement in Japanese language skills
Having “Good Times” with friends from countries all around the world
MEWHINNEY, Matthew
Konnichiwa! I’m Matthew Mewhinney, from the University of California Santa Barbara. I’m studying as a foreign exchange student at Doshisha University.
Since I was really interested in Japan and the Japanese language, I couldn’t wait to go abroad during my junior year. When I arrived in Kyoto, everything was cool. But when I entered Doshisha’s ryuugakusei-bekka, I was a bit skeptical of what kind of Japanese education I’d be receiving. Since I came with 6 years of Japanese study under my belt, I figured a program geared for foreign students would be way too easy, and therefore boring. But then I thought, since I was able to make it in to Doshisha’s foreign exchange program, even if classes were boring, it wouldn’t be the end of the world. However, my assumptions proved wrong once I actually went to class. The bekka’s advanced Japanese program’s goal — prepping students for the Japanese Language Proficiency Exams 1 and 2, or in other words “mastering advanced Japanese” — works well to fulfill my academic aspirations. In addition to stressing writing and speaking correct Japanese, the bekka’s motto of “aiming for the acquisition of refined and sophisticated Japanese” is awesome. Thanks to the bekka, my reading and writing skills have made a quantum leap of improvement. In addition, I feel I’ve developed a strong command of practical and every-day vocabulary words. Who knows, if I continue to finely-polish and enrich my Japanese, I’ll have my teachers back home praising me with, “Mashu-san, your Japanese is quite outstanding.”
Of course, studying in the bekka isn’t the only thing keeping me busy. Through meeting various students from different countries around the world, I’ve gained a vast amount of knowledge concerning the cultures and customs of other countries. When I return to America, I hope to teach my friends back home not only about the culture and customs of Japan, but also those of Asian countries such as China and Korea, as well as European countries such as France, Germany and England.
Living in Japan on exchange at Doshisha University and studying at the bekka is without a doubt, a lot of fun. I’d have to call it, “Good Times.” All my experiences in the days to come and those from days gone will be inscribed in my heart as a truly unforgettable and precious lifetime treasure.
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