Author: Kathleen Lor

1. Reflect on your language learning and acculturation during your SLA Grant experience.

The pace of the summer program was fast. However, the faster I learned the material, the faster I forgot it as well. It was difficult to retain the information, and I am a bit nervous about the upcoming placement exam. I did learn a lot new grammar though-an equivalent of a year’s worth at Notre Dame-so I hope to employ this new material in everyday speech during Japanese class. Although my teacher and host family complimented me on my improvement, I am struggling to see it. However, comparing myself from first year to now, I can see that I have reached milestones.

One thing I have realized is the number of 作文 3rd year students write. I first found it to be a nuisance, but it has greatly helped with my usage of grammar and vocabulary. Although I do not enjoy writing them, I do appreciate their assistance.

2. Reflect on your SLA Grant experience overall.

It was irreplaceable. I met a lot of people that have grown every dear to my heart. And I miss them immensely. I will never forget this experience.

It was my first time riding an airplane to a different country. And although I was very homesick the first week, Hakodate was absolutely beautiful and calming and I grew to love the program, the people, the city.

3. How do you plan to use your language and intercultural competences in the future?

After graduation, I plan on applying for the JET Program. If accepted, I will teach English in Japan for a duration of one to two years. I am still unsure of what job I want to do, but I thought the JET Program will be ideal because I love children, Japanese and Japan. In addition, the time period will help me plan and think of the future. At least I hope so.

The program has officially ended. And just like before, I wanted to dedicate this post to my second host family.

Before I left for Narita Airport, I didn’t expect to cry. I felt like my bond with both my host families was more respectful than anything. And because my time was separated between two host families, I didn’t have the full two months to be attached. At least I thought so.

But I am so glad that I met both of my host families. They were both very welcoming and kind and different in their own ways. I played a lot more with the children in the previous host family but rarely did with the second. However, second semester was way more hectic than the first as deadlines were approaching and a faster learning pace was adopted.

Nonetheless, my second host family did their best to accommodate with my busy schedule. We went to see the famous night view of Hakodate. It was ranked the world’s top three most beautiful views.

It was a crowded, chilly night. But definitely worth it. It was so beautiful.

Another weekend, we went camping with other families. The children played in the nearby river while some adults watched them and others made rice curry. It was delicious! I really love eating rice curry. There’s not a lot of spicy food in Japan, but I prefer sweet curry instead.

We also visited cafés and local cake shops together. The cakes were cutely decorated and so soft and sweet. I already miss these sweets.

My second host family was incredibly nice. They always drove me to the station every morning because the bus came super early. Because my close friend lived 5 min away, she was also able to come with us. My friend’s host family was in the same area, so we became really close and had an ending party.

It was really sweet that they came together. And it was actually my friend and I’s plan to have our host families become friends. I hope they can maintain their friendship even after the program. They have similar personalities and wonderful hearts.

I already miss my time in Japan. I never thought I would be so attached to the city, my classmates, and my host family, especially since it was only two months. But being able to have these feelings just mean that everyone was precious. I will never forget this experience. Thank you so much to my second host family <3

While in Japan, it became apparent that I missed one thing unique to America: hamburgers. It just wasn’t the same. The tender meat. The abundance of ketchup. The greasy stains.

Just kidding, I didn’t miss the hamburgers. All jokes aside, I missed the diversity.

Towards the end of my stay, I wanted to see different cultures and hear various languages. I come from an Asian background, and I’ve been told my Japanese people that I can blend in the crowd. No one avoided sitting next to me on the bus though I’ve heard stories of other students with this problem. However, whenever I spoke English outside or walked with my close friends, I felt the stares of the locals. And it was uncomfortable.

I missed the sense of belonging. And I know America has its own problems regarding racism and discrimination, but I missed being able to come from a different background without judgment (from the majority). I hope we are able to overcome these differences in background, culture, and language because, honestly, America’s melting pot is one of the country’s greatest quality.

Before the second half of the program began, students were able to enjoy themselves on a mini four-day semester break. I went to Sapporo, a much bigger city compared to Hakodate, and visited a lot of places that gladly accepted my monies.

Before coming to Japan, I have heard of the famous cat cafés. Of course, America has some as well but only in certain cities. The café itself was a bit different than I had imagined. I thought the cats would come to us because they would be used to human contact, but they all fled from our vicinity. One even bit my hand! It probably reacted in this manner because I touched it while it was still tense. I can’t blame them though. They weren’t familiar with us.

There were also a variety of books on the shelves so that you can relax and enjoy your time with the cats. However, we were all busy trying to pet them or take cute pictures.

They were all so fluffy and big and adorable, that’s why.

But the highlight of my trip was definitely riding the ferris wheel. Isn’t that the anime trope? Confessing to your crush while the sun sets perfectly, casting a warm hue across the cityscape. Well, that was not necessarily the case. I’m deathly afraid of heights, but I’ve always wanted to try riding a ferris wheel. However, once I sat down, I immediately regretted my decision.

Luckily, one of my good friends rode alongside with me, and I held her hand the entire time while going up. Once we reached the top and started lowering, I finally looked out to see the brightly lit buildings filling up the night sky. It was absolutely beautiful.