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azuriteOkay, so I'm working on the last bits of my applications for study abroad:
(1) Waseda University in Tokyo, through the CSUN International Programs
(2) Tokiwa University in Mito, through the Japanese department at CSUN
I've already got Takase-sensei lined up to give me the Japanese recommendation for both; I've got one recommendation from Salido for Waseda, and I'll try and get Blumenkrantz for Tokiwa. I just finished filling out the form to request an official transcript from CCSF (I might need to request another one for Tokiwa, blargh!); I won't need a CSUN transcript until Mid-January 2006. And then there's the dreaded essay for both.
Please read these and tell me if they're any good...
I have been greatly interested in the Japanese language and culture since I was in fifth grade. Ever since then, I have made it a point to pursue learning about Japan wherever possible. In middle school, I took a Japanese language course, and I continued to do so throughout high school. Outside of school, I made it a point to interact with my Japanese peers, read manga, watch anime, and read language-learning books wherever possible. I believe that my personal interest in the language and culture BEYOND what was required of me in school helped prepare me for traveling to Japan in the Spring of 2005, and my continual exposure to the language will keep me ready for studying abroad.
When I was younger, I had a variety of career goals in mind, and various women that I admired. It wasn't until I entered high school that I became sure of what I wanted to pursue as a major in university and an eventual career: journalism. Initially, I wanted to teach journalism to students in high school, and give them the opportunities to truly understand the subject in ways that were not afforded to me when I was in school. Over the years, my opinions and goals changed, and now I am pursuing a specific concentration in magazine journalism, with the hopes that one day I will be able to contribute to a magazine that accepts lengthier, more interesting articles than those one would find in a newspaper. I maintain a strong interest in fiction writing, which is unlike the kind of writing in journalism in many ways. I hope to combine all of my interests and skills into a career in journalism where I am permitted to travel, explore and understand other cultures, and share my experiences with people who aren't able to go to the places I do. I would love to be able to do investigative journalism reports as well as write lighter pieces on travel, culture, fashion, and food. I genuinely believe that studying abroad would contribute to these career goals, but also toward my academic future.
A journalist can only write about what she sees, and it is the most seasoned, well-traveled journalists that are able to respect and understand every possible audience. Studying abroad would give me a "leg up" over other young journalists fresh out of university, and it would enable me to pursue a richer career sooner, likely without the restrictions that many entry-level jobs do. Likewise, I could apply to jobs outside of the United States, and such jobs might give me more consideration because of my studying abroad experience.
Ever since I was about 8 or 9 years old, I have harbored an interest in the Japanese culture, stemming from my strong interest in Japanese anime. I watched an episode of Sailor Moon when it aired on a local television station in San Francisco, and ever since then, I was hooked. I made it a point to try and learn as much as I could about the amazing place where shows like Sailor Moon were made, and to my happiness, I discovered a variety of other shows just as amazing as Sailor Moon.
Having lived in San Francisco for almost all of my life, I was constantly surrounded by Asian culture. Being the curious sort, I often indulged myself in going shopping in Japantown, trying Japanese cuisine, watching Japanese anime or movies, or reading Japanese manga or novels. In 8th grade, I decided to take Japanese as my foreign language course requirement, and I continued to learn as much as I could about the language throughout high school. For many years, I was self-taught in regards to the Japanese language, though I do feel that I benefit a great deal by being in a classroom environment where I can interact with others learning Japanese, as well as native speakers who can correct my mistakes. I am currently enrolled in a beginning Japanese language course as California State University, Northridge, and I hope to continue pursuing Japanese as one of my double minors.
This past March, my love of all things Japanese was only reinforced by my first trip abroad—to Japan! A book that a friend gave me recommended a tour organization known as “Pop Japan Travel” and it catered to people with interests in Japanese anime and manga. The seven-day-tour was very fun and enlightening, though in retrospect, seven days were hardly enough time to explore the wonders of Japan. I was fortunate enough to be able to visit some amazing historical landmarks, including the Kiyomizudera Temple, as well as the bustling wards of Harajuku and Akihabara in Tokyo. Ever since I returned to the United States, I was filled with an even greater desire to explore Japan and completely immerse myself in its culture. I believe that doing so will enable me to learn what I could not in San Francisco, or in a Japanese language classroom environment.
As a magazine journalism major, it is in both my personal and professional interests that I learn about the perspectives of other cultures and their opinions regarding American news media. I have always wanted to travel internationally and be able to write about what I see and experience, and I believe that studying abroad in Japan will give me the opportunity to do just that. I do not believe that a good journalist limits her options to the people and places that surround her, and so I want to take this opportunity to apply to Tokiwa University and expand my awareness and understanding of the Japanese culture.
Having been raised in a predominantly Asian city, studied the language and the culture for many years, and having traveled to Japan once before, I believe I am adequately prepared to go to Japan once more and stay for an extended period of time and truly learn everything I possibly can about Japan and its amazing culture.
For the first one, they asked for "three to five paragraphs" and I wrote three-- not because I want to do just the minimum, but because I think I covered what the application requested, which was to talk about how I'm prepared to study abroad, and how studying abroad would help my academic and career goals.
The second one is only 555 words, and they said "Please write an essay in the space provided below entitled My Interest in Japanese Culture in about 1000 words in English, describing how you have prepared yourself for a visit to Japan, and how you would expect this experience to contribute to your long-term personal goals." So how should I make it longer, or expand on any points I made?
And off-topic, but on-record, Eva's new SO/BF/WTF is pretty hawt. And he sounds sweet, too. So, when do I get to meet him?
(1) Waseda University in Tokyo, through the CSUN International Programs
(2) Tokiwa University in Mito, through the Japanese department at CSUN
I've already got Takase-sensei lined up to give me the Japanese recommendation for both; I've got one recommendation from Salido for Waseda, and I'll try and get Blumenkrantz for Tokiwa. I just finished filling out the form to request an official transcript from CCSF (I might need to request another one for Tokiwa, blargh!); I won't need a CSUN transcript until Mid-January 2006. And then there's the dreaded essay for both.
Please read these and tell me if they're any good...
I have been greatly interested in the Japanese language and culture since I was in fifth grade. Ever since then, I have made it a point to pursue learning about Japan wherever possible. In middle school, I took a Japanese language course, and I continued to do so throughout high school. Outside of school, I made it a point to interact with my Japanese peers, read manga, watch anime, and read language-learning books wherever possible. I believe that my personal interest in the language and culture BEYOND what was required of me in school helped prepare me for traveling to Japan in the Spring of 2005, and my continual exposure to the language will keep me ready for studying abroad.
When I was younger, I had a variety of career goals in mind, and various women that I admired. It wasn't until I entered high school that I became sure of what I wanted to pursue as a major in university and an eventual career: journalism. Initially, I wanted to teach journalism to students in high school, and give them the opportunities to truly understand the subject in ways that were not afforded to me when I was in school. Over the years, my opinions and goals changed, and now I am pursuing a specific concentration in magazine journalism, with the hopes that one day I will be able to contribute to a magazine that accepts lengthier, more interesting articles than those one would find in a newspaper. I maintain a strong interest in fiction writing, which is unlike the kind of writing in journalism in many ways. I hope to combine all of my interests and skills into a career in journalism where I am permitted to travel, explore and understand other cultures, and share my experiences with people who aren't able to go to the places I do. I would love to be able to do investigative journalism reports as well as write lighter pieces on travel, culture, fashion, and food. I genuinely believe that studying abroad would contribute to these career goals, but also toward my academic future.
A journalist can only write about what she sees, and it is the most seasoned, well-traveled journalists that are able to respect and understand every possible audience. Studying abroad would give me a "leg up" over other young journalists fresh out of university, and it would enable me to pursue a richer career sooner, likely without the restrictions that many entry-level jobs do. Likewise, I could apply to jobs outside of the United States, and such jobs might give me more consideration because of my studying abroad experience.
Ever since I was about 8 or 9 years old, I have harbored an interest in the Japanese culture, stemming from my strong interest in Japanese anime. I watched an episode of Sailor Moon when it aired on a local television station in San Francisco, and ever since then, I was hooked. I made it a point to try and learn as much as I could about the amazing place where shows like Sailor Moon were made, and to my happiness, I discovered a variety of other shows just as amazing as Sailor Moon.
Having lived in San Francisco for almost all of my life, I was constantly surrounded by Asian culture. Being the curious sort, I often indulged myself in going shopping in Japantown, trying Japanese cuisine, watching Japanese anime or movies, or reading Japanese manga or novels. In 8th grade, I decided to take Japanese as my foreign language course requirement, and I continued to learn as much as I could about the language throughout high school. For many years, I was self-taught in regards to the Japanese language, though I do feel that I benefit a great deal by being in a classroom environment where I can interact with others learning Japanese, as well as native speakers who can correct my mistakes. I am currently enrolled in a beginning Japanese language course as California State University, Northridge, and I hope to continue pursuing Japanese as one of my double minors.
This past March, my love of all things Japanese was only reinforced by my first trip abroad—to Japan! A book that a friend gave me recommended a tour organization known as “Pop Japan Travel” and it catered to people with interests in Japanese anime and manga. The seven-day-tour was very fun and enlightening, though in retrospect, seven days were hardly enough time to explore the wonders of Japan. I was fortunate enough to be able to visit some amazing historical landmarks, including the Kiyomizudera Temple, as well as the bustling wards of Harajuku and Akihabara in Tokyo. Ever since I returned to the United States, I was filled with an even greater desire to explore Japan and completely immerse myself in its culture. I believe that doing so will enable me to learn what I could not in San Francisco, or in a Japanese language classroom environment.
As a magazine journalism major, it is in both my personal and professional interests that I learn about the perspectives of other cultures and their opinions regarding American news media. I have always wanted to travel internationally and be able to write about what I see and experience, and I believe that studying abroad in Japan will give me the opportunity to do just that. I do not believe that a good journalist limits her options to the people and places that surround her, and so I want to take this opportunity to apply to Tokiwa University and expand my awareness and understanding of the Japanese culture.
Having been raised in a predominantly Asian city, studied the language and the culture for many years, and having traveled to Japan once before, I believe I am adequately prepared to go to Japan once more and stay for an extended period of time and truly learn everything I possibly can about Japan and its amazing culture.
For the first one, they asked for "three to five paragraphs" and I wrote three-- not because I want to do just the minimum, but because I think I covered what the application requested, which was to talk about how I'm prepared to study abroad, and how studying abroad would help my academic and career goals.
The second one is only 555 words, and they said "Please write an essay in the space provided below entitled My Interest in Japanese Culture in about 1000 words in English, describing how you have prepared yourself for a visit to Japan, and how you would expect this experience to contribute to your long-term personal goals." So how should I make it longer, or expand on any points I made?
And off-topic, but on-record, Eva's new SO/BF/WTF is pretty hawt. And he sounds sweet, too. So, when do I get to meet him?
