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| June
9 - 15, 2004 Number 13 ParentNET—A
Student Abroad
From Lake Superior to Lake Biwa Hello everyone! My name is Scott Pearson, and I'm a fourth year computer science major at MTU. For the next ten weeks or so, I'll be sharing my experiences studying abroad in Japan. I'm enrolled in the intensive Japanese language program at the Japan Center for Michigan Universities (JCMU) in Hikone, Japan. Hikone lies in Southwest Japan on Lake Biwa, somewhat near the city of Kyoto, in the Shiga prefecture. They call it a small town; but they also tell me it has a population of 100,000, so I'm not quite sure what to think yet. I'd like to begin by telling you a little bit about myself. As I mentioned, I'm a computer science major. I don't think I'm a very good one, however, for the following reasons: I don't drink Mountain Dew, I don't drink coffee, I shower regularly, I don't code for fun, and I even go to bed before midnight (most of the time). I'm also a writer, and am beginning my second novel. I'm trying to blend my two interests into a career of technical writing. Lately I have been interested more and more in all things Japanese: the language, culture, and anime (Japanese animation). The Japanese are masters of technology (just think of Sony) and combining computer science, writing, and a background in Japanese could open up some very interesting and fun careers for me in the future. I had better share a bit of Japanese pop-culture before I end up confusing someone. Just as in the US, teenagers in Japan use a lot of smiley faces when chatting online. However, to match the style of their anime characters, the faces are different. The usual Japanese smiley face looks like the following: ^__^ There are others to express confusion ( o_O ), irritation ( >_< ), and the all-important flirty wink ( ^_~ ). I have found the use of these smileys to be contagious, and as they go with my personality, I tend to use them often. You have been warned! I have a few other strange interests as well. I am a member of the Society for Creative Anachronism and am an authorized renaissance fencer. I am also interested in ninjutsu, the arts of the Japanese ninja (or shinobi), and have dabbled in that a little bit. I enjoy volleyball, and also freestyle footbag. Footbag, which has acquired the slang name hacky-sack (also the registered name for WHAM-O, Inc.'s footbag) , has a different side to it called freestyle, which is more of a performance art like figure-skating or gymnastics. It calls for the same skill and precision, while requiring more endurance than running. I plan on practicing a ton while in Japan, if I find myself with the free time to do so. I'd like to post a video at some point, but I'm not sure if that will be possible. My first 24 hours in Japan was interesting to say the least. I'm thankful that I took the group flight and there was a tour bus awaiting me at the airport to take me to the university, though I have heard that some people navigated through the train stations using English without too much trouble. Customs was surprisingly easy to go through, though I doubt it will be the same when I try to re-enter the US. As I had heard, the Japanese people are very polite and helpful when asked, but don't expect them to start a conversation with you for no reason at all. Many of us had a hard time adjusting to the thirteen-hour time difference, but after a couple of days it is much better. The sun rises around 4:00 a.m., which is a big change. I find myself awake and energized early, then beginning to lag around eight at night. My other immediate problem is food. I was under the impression that breakfasts and dinners were provided and we were on our own for lunch, but that only applies to students staying with a Japanese host family. I had about 30 minutes to grocery shop on orientation day, during which I bought all kinds of colorful Japanese products that I may or may not be able to cook. For a college student such as myself, having no microwave is a rather large change. I cooked Japanese curry with some people the other night, the only Japanese dish I already knew how to make, and today succeeded in making some sort of instant soup. I think I can get by with toast in the morning, instant stuff for lunch, and visiting restaurants for dinner, but I am a bit concerned about the nutritional value of this plan. I have no way of knowing what nutrients I am or am not getting, so I'm glad I have my bottle of Flintstones chewable vitamins with me. ^__^ I have only the greatest things to say about the people I've met here so far. The experienced students have been guiding us around and promising any kind of help that they can offer. The less experienced students (such as myself) are adventurous and generally in good spirits. I have already made several fun friends, and look forward to crazy Japanese adventures with them. ^_~ A few more people than I expected are placing into the lowest level of Japanese offered, so I will have company on my quest to learn the language. As we try to earn ten credits in a nine-week program, I foresee many late nights of studying and bonding, which may look more like an organized group panic attack. All that aside, I know that I am going to have the time of my life! I'm already having mini-adventures. While studying at the beach with Meghan-chan and Jamie-chan, we experienced some strange goings on. First, there was a pair of girls hiding out in a small pavilion. There was an exchange of money, and then one pierced the other's ear while she clung to a stuffed animal. I have been told that ear piercing is uncommon in Japan, so I wonder if she was being rebellious and having it done in secret. Also, contrary to usual Japanese behavior, an old man wandered by and stopped to talk to us. We didn't understand a whole lot of what he had to say, but managed to gather that he had been a train conductor in Nagoya, he had trained in kendo (sword fighting) in his younger days, and was related to one of the founders of JCMU. This is getting long, so I had better wrap up. So much has happened in the first couple days, and I already feel like I have been here forever. I worry that it will be very hard to leave when the time comes. Thank you for joining me on my journey; I look forward to sharing more. ^__^ Until
next time,
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