During the Fall 2018-Spring 2019 school year, I studied abroad at the University of Kitakyushu. Classes focused heavily on language. With small class sizes and at least 8-9 hours a week of Japanese instruction, my Japanese proficiency skyrocketed. However, I also partook in cultural courses taught in both Japanese and English. Covering a wide variety of topics, in these courses I learned about Japan in a globalized world, the history of modern Japanese economics, and Japanese pop culture. I also studied a wide variety of traditional Japanese culture such as: Ikebana (Flower Arrangement), traditional Japanese instruments, traditional Japanese dances, and the history of Karaoke.
In terms of Extracurricular activities, I interacted with the local community in monthly food classrooms in which an exchange student shared their home country's traditional food at the community center, and I once led the class in making Jambalaya. I was involved with the tennis circle and over the course of the year, I took several jobs teaching English from ages ranging from grade school through university students. My tasks included the correction of written assignments, such as homework and reports, but also engaging in conversation and correcting areas where students might make mistakes.
In terms of Extracurricular activities, I interacted with the local community in monthly food classrooms in which an exchange student shared their home country's traditional food at the community center, and I once led the class in making Jambalaya. I was involved with the tennis circle and over the course of the year, I took several jobs teaching English from ages ranging from grade school through university students. My tasks included the correction of written assignments, such as homework and reports, but also engaging in conversation and correcting areas where students might make mistakes.