Preparations are underway!

Minna-san, konnichiwa!

I decided I'd put off making my first post until I got my dorm assignment; the email arrived this morning, so here it is!

For those who aren't aware, I'm preparing to travel to Tokyo, Japan in early September to participate in Keio University's Japanese Language Program for two semesters, ending on July 31, 2009. That's 11 months in Japan! I'm crazy excited, not to mention slightly terrified, but as a Japanese major, this will be the most important experience of my undergraduate career.

Here is the link for the program, if you're interested in applying: http://www.ic.keio.ac.jp/nncenter/en/index.html?url=210.html

I'm really happy that I got into my top choice for dormitories. One of the big differences between going to school here at Carnegie Mellon and going to school in Tokyo is the ridiculous commute between school and the dorms. One of the reasons I requested Willing Setagaya is that it is only 50 minutes by train from campus, as opposed to the 60, 65, and even 75 minute commutes from the other dorms. Willing also has the largest rooms (21 sq. meters) and a kitchenette (one burner, a 2" fridge, and a 1"sq. sink). Unfortunately, it's also the most expensive, about $650 a month, but I decided it was worth it. One of the students from this past school year told me that Willing is the only dorm whose commute to campus takes you through Shibuya, Tokyo's #1 shopping and night life district! I plan on spending a great deal of my free time there.

Here are some photos of my dorm: http://www.ic.keio.ac.jp/en/life/housing/picture_willing.html

The only "foreign countries" I've ever been to are Mexico and Canada, so traveling to Japan on my own, and staying there for 11 months straight, is a huge jump for me. I have to admit that I'm beginning to feel a bit nervous. But then I remember that my dorm will be filled with other English-speaking foreigners all in the same boat as me, and I feel better. Plus, my best friend, Mina, is going to be studying in Japan for a year as well, though in Nagoya, two hours away. She's been to Japan a couple of times before, so she's been giving me advice about Tokyo. And since she is going a week ahead of me, I'll have her cell phone number in Japan so if something... unfortunate happens after I arrive, I can call her for advice.

Though I'm staying in Japan for a full 11 months, Keio's semesters are set up so that I have all of February and March off. Instead of spending the money on a flight home, I plan on traveling around Japan and visiting some of the other islands. My mother is thinking about visiting me in February; she has also never left North America, but unlike me, doesn't speak a word of Japanese. I told her that if she comes, she has to try sushi. She may decide it isn't worth the risk!

One of my sorority sisters, Larissa, is also planning to come visit for Spring Break in March. She's a big fan of Japanese entertainment and culture, so we'll have tons of fun playing around Tokyo and traveling someplace like Kyoto. It will be cherry blossom time then, so maybe we can go to hanami, a cherry blossom viewing party where people socialize and drink sake under the cherry trees.

Well, that is a fairly lengthy post. I'll try to post again right before I leave. Watch out, Tokyo, I'll be there in 5 weeks!