Language Study

Beginning Japanese I (JPN 1130)

For the oral section of our final, each student was tasked with introducing themselves to an imaginary audience of classmates. Our introductions needed to include the following: a formal salutation and closing, full name, occupational status and information, likes and dislikes, hobbies and interests, and a description of our immediate family members. I mostly talked about my love of birds and cooking!

Beginning Japanese II (JPN 1131)

For our final short passage writing assignment, we were expected to use the lesson's vocabulary and grammar points to write about a recent travel experience we had. The letter was to be addressed to our penpal, Kimura. When writing to Kimura, we ensured that we included what we enjoyed and disliked about the trip, as well as any key locations we visited and activities we had done. I decided to discuss my trip with my family to a secluded cabin in the mountains of Western North Carolina.

Intermediate Japanese I (JPN 2200)

For the course's final project, students had to create and present a slideshow convincing tourists to visit a particular town in Japan. In the presentation, we had to highlight key locations, food offerings, cultural activities, attractions, and anyting else that appropriately represents the town we were assigned to cover. The town I chose was Shizuoka, which is known for its stunning views of Mt. Fuji and its variety of prawn-based dishes!

Japanese Culture & Society (JPN 3500)

At the end of this course, each student had to pick a famous Japanese figure from the Edo period and provide an extensive autobiography from their perspective. I chose Kaga no Chiyo, the first female Japanese haiku poet to achieve notoriety due to here serene disposition and natural gravitation to nature and Zen Buddhist aesthetics.