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Last Friday, three GenkiJACS students finished their stay at the school: Andrew-san, Michal-san, and Alan-san. I had the opportunity to interview Andrew and Michal before they left.
1.Why did you choose GenkiJACS?
2.How was your first day of school?
3.How much have you improved since you arrived?
4.What will you do with your Japanese after you finish with GenkiJACS?
5.What do you do during your free time?
6.What is your favorite Japanese snack/food?
7.What is your favorite Japanese drink?
8.What is your best school memory (so far)?
9.What is something unexpected you found out about Japan?
10.Top 3 tips for future students?
ANDREW
Age: 18
Length of Study: 5 months
Japanese Level: Intermediate
From: Chicago, USA
1.I`ve been interested in Japanese since I took it in high school. I went on an exchange to Japan in my senior year and I really l liked it. I didn`t get into the universities I wanted to, so after graduating I decided to take a year off. My mom found a consulting company for gap-year students, which then recommended a few schools in Japan to me. I chose GenkiJACS because it is aimed for westerners and I had never been to Kyushu before.
2.I was nervous and I didn`t know anyone. But I came during the summer and there were lots of young people so it was easy to make friends.
3.A LOT. Most of all, I`ve gained confidence in speaking to people in various social situations.
4.I`m going to continue to study and hopefully take some courses when I go to America, since I`ll be going to international business studies.
5.Badminton (3x a week), hang out with friends, kendama
(Note: Andrew practiced every day in the student lounge.)
6.Chocoflakes, senbei
7.Lemon water
8.Christmas time- seeing the teachers singing Christmas carols in Japanese
9.That Kendama is awesome
10.– Head to Rainbow Plaza(1) right away
– Get a cellphone
– DO STUFF: don`t sit in your room all day
MICHAL
Age: 23
Length of Study: 3 months
Japanese Level: Intermediate
From: Cracow, Poland
1.I wanted small classes in a lively city.
2.A bit terrified. But when I met the other students it was alright.
3.A bit. (Note: it`s more than just a bit 😉 )
4.My major is Japanese, so I`ll keep studying.
5.Hang out, go out with friends
6.Unagi
7.Ume-shu
8.Christmas time- seeing the teachers singing Christmas carols in Japanese
9.All the different types of restaurants – for example, ordering by ticket-machine, kaiten sushi, etc.
10.– Go to Fubar(2)
– Make lots of Japanese friends
– Make friends with the teachers
I met Andrew during my first week of classes last year, and all of us lived at the Cour de Reve dorm, so I got to hang out with both of them. Best of luck to them, and to Alan-san, in their future endevours!
(1) Rainbow Plaza
(2) Fubar (on facebook)
