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November/December 2004 EOP Newsletter
- Financial Aid
- EOP Honors Banquet Reminder
- December is...
- World AIDS Day!
- Celebrate Your Accomplishments
- Studying Abroad
- Career Corner
- Peer Tutoring
- I Declare... A Major!
- EOP Tips for Final Exam Preparation
- Getting Lost in Japan!
- The Student Spotlight
Getting Lost in Japan!
Hi, my name is Linda Nguyen. I'm a student at Brockport; however I'm currently studying abroad in Japan. My semester here has been wonderful. I'm having a great time. I think my decision to study abroad was the best decision I've made since I've gotten to Brockport.
Japan is a beautiful country filled with wonderful people. I've made many new Japanese friends. The Japanese people are very kind, friendly, and helpful. During my first week here, an American friend and I got lost. We had to ask a Japanese man for direction, but instead of just giving us directions he gave us a ride back to the university. He even gave us a map of the area, which he conveniently had in his car. We were nervous at first to get into the car, but we had no idea where we were and how to get home. So it seemed as though getting a ride from this stranger was a good idea. We got to the university safely. We found out that it is very common for the Japanese to help others out in the way that we were helped. It makes me very happy to know that I can always ask for help and people will honestly want to help me and that nothing bad should happen. From this experience I decided that I would not go out and explore too much. Well it's kind of hard to say that, I mean I'm in a whole new country I have to explore, but at least I know that I can always ask Japanese people for help. I decided that I should have a map of the area I would like to see and know how to get to my destination and back home. This was not the only time I've gotten lost in Japan. I've gotten lost many times. I think it is good to get lost every now and then. By getting lost I found some of the best places to go sightseeing and I had to force myself to use what little Japanese I know to be able to find my way around the city. I think that when you get lost you discover some of the greatest things you'll ever see. Going to the typical tourists sites are great, but it's even better when you wander on your own and find amazing things. I walked around a well-known area with my American friends, but then we decided to go where Japanese people go, so we followed a group of high school girls. We had no idea where they were going we just followed and somehow ended up in a gorgeous city and also came across a very small but beautiful temple. I thought it was much more beautiful than the other temples I have seen. I think this is because it was so small and in the middle of a little unknown city. It seemed more interesting and more mysterious.
I've tried many new foods. When I first got here I was very stubborn and wouldn't try anything that looked different or strange, but sitting in a restaurant filled with great smells its hard not to want to try something. So now I've tried a lot of different foods and everything is good. I'm now more open-minded about trying new things. I've also met some wonderful people. I have many new Japanese friends. The Japanese people are very kind, helpful and honest. I have not met a single Japanese person who didn't treat me with respect and great hospitality. The college students here dress very differently from college students at home. Here they dress more freely, more different. There is no such thing as a trend here. I rarely see people wearing the same clothing. The style is a little similar to one another, but never the same. The people here express themselves through their clothing. In the states most college students look alike. Its not too often you find someone who stand outs in the crowd. In Japan everyone stands out, you always see different expression and different looks. In the States we try so hard to fit in with the crowd (majority) that we can't and don't express ourselves the way they do in Japan.
Japan has had a big impact on my life. I now want to travel around the world. I want to see it all. I have come to open my mind up to many new things. I feel like I'm a better person because of this trip. I'm having a great time here and I would never give this up for anything else in the world. I think traveling is very important.
The only downside to studying abroad is the work required to getting where you want to be. It's not easy to get accepted to travel. You can't just expect to fill out one paper and that is it. It's important that you fill out all of your papers ahead of time. You should also make sure all of your financial needs are met before hand, such as airplane fee, tuition fees, traveling, food, and just making sure everything in your home institution is set. There are also many scholarships available; apply for as many as possible. You won't get them all, but it's better to know that you applied for many, so if you are denied one you still have another to look for. You also have to make sure you fill out all the paperwork needed at your university abroad. You're going to a different university, so there will be more papers you need to fill out for them. If something needs to be done, do it. If a paper is given to you make sure you read it not just skim it and then toss it. Many people have done that and that's what makes the difference between getting accepted or not. Studying abroad is just that, studying abroad. You're in a new country so its good to travel and see, but you have to concentrate too. You can't let your traveling affect your grades. Traveling around Japan has not affected my grade or studies. I travel on the weekends and on my holidays. It has been working out great.
For anyone interested, I think you should study abroad. I think it's a privilege to be able to study in Japan. I am making the most of it. I think studying abroad will definitely change your outlook on life. It will make you want more and aim for more. If you have the chance to do it now, while you're in school than do it. After you graduate you may not get the chance anymore because you will be busy looking for work or already working and have no vacation time long enough to travel.
