Ever since I was young, Japan has influenced me in multiple ways. I remember being absolutely in love with the English dubbed anime that were popular at the time, including Pokemon, Dragonball, and Sailor Moon, and wanting nothing more than to embrace the creative worlds these characters came from and become my own Pokemon trainer or Sailor Scout. However, after choosing to seriously pursue Japanese as my major I have been able broaden my views past appreciating only popular culture of Japan.
Due to taking care of language requirements prior to transferring I was able to begin my time at CSUMB with upper division culture based classes, such as JAPN 307 The Japanese-American Experience which fulfills MLO2. This class allowed me to look further in depth at a faction of Japanese history that I had only briefly skimmed in the past during middle school. Learning about the struggles of the Japanese-Americans who endured life in internment camps made me understand how I can identify similar struggles that are currently happening. I am happy I was not only able to expand my cultural knowledge but my language skills as well, as I was able to do in JAPN 304 Introduction to Translation&Interpretation which fulfills MLO1. Taking this class caused me to perish any thought I once had about what translation work might entail, it also allowed me to develop sight reading skills that I never thought I would have been able to acquire otherwise.
Seeing how far I have progressed with my Japanese since deciding to major in Japanese Language and Culture fills me with pride as I can see the fruit of my hard work throughout the years. As I was offered a job to teach English in Japan I now intend to continue to put my language skills to use as well as pick up where I left off on experiencing life in Japan.
Due to taking care of language requirements prior to transferring I was able to begin my time at CSUMB with upper division culture based classes, such as JAPN 307 The Japanese-American Experience which fulfills MLO2. This class allowed me to look further in depth at a faction of Japanese history that I had only briefly skimmed in the past during middle school. Learning about the struggles of the Japanese-Americans who endured life in internment camps made me understand how I can identify similar struggles that are currently happening. I am happy I was not only able to expand my cultural knowledge but my language skills as well, as I was able to do in JAPN 304 Introduction to Translation&Interpretation which fulfills MLO1. Taking this class caused me to perish any thought I once had about what translation work might entail, it also allowed me to develop sight reading skills that I never thought I would have been able to acquire otherwise.
Seeing how far I have progressed with my Japanese since deciding to major in Japanese Language and Culture fills me with pride as I can see the fruit of my hard work throughout the years. As I was offered a job to teach English in Japan I now intend to continue to put my language skills to use as well as pick up where I left off on experiencing life in Japan.