This is a thread that I've been wanting to make for a while so screw it lets go.
I've been learning Japanese on and off for pretty much my entire life. My primary school had classes and I took Japanese as an elective in Secondary. About a year ago I decided to start taking it seriously and began actually studying and going to weekend classes. One thing led to another and I got offered exchange to Japan. I'll be spending 6 months going to school in Japan and living there with a host family. I'm super excited but this isn't happening until around August next year so a lot nervousness is surrounding this endeavour as well. I thought writing it down might help a bit so...
Managing with a language you aren't comfortable in:
I really only have one relative capable of speaking Japanese and I rarely get to use the language in my day to day life so my Japanese is utter shit. I can function in Japanese but I can't hold a proper conversation.
I can't read it:
^This. I literally cannot read Japanese. I know Hiragana (used for grammar and some words typically) and Katakana (mostly foreign words) but I can't read very many Chinese characters. In eight months I'm hoping I'll improve a bit but still its a big worry for me.
Being away from family:
I know this will sound stupid to a lot of the older Smogonites but remember that I'm 15. I've never been away from my family for an extended period of time. So I don't know how much I will miss them or if I will get homesick or not.
High Density Living:
Another one that will sound stupid to most people but I'm kind of worried I won't be able to adapt to dense city living of Japan. I live in outer suburban Melbourne and even the Melbourne CBD seems packed to me.
Anyway I made this thread in the hopes that Smogonites with more age under their belt than me will share their experiences. Please comment on your experiences on learning a new language. Being a student in a foreign country, first time being away from family. Tips for going to school in a language you don't speak, share anything you've got. I want to hear peoples' stories and advice. Thanks for reading.
I've been learning Japanese on and off for pretty much my entire life. My primary school had classes and I took Japanese as an elective in Secondary. About a year ago I decided to start taking it seriously and began actually studying and going to weekend classes. One thing led to another and I got offered exchange to Japan. I'll be spending 6 months going to school in Japan and living there with a host family. I'm super excited but this isn't happening until around August next year so a lot nervousness is surrounding this endeavour as well. I thought writing it down might help a bit so...
Managing with a language you aren't comfortable in:
I really only have one relative capable of speaking Japanese and I rarely get to use the language in my day to day life so my Japanese is utter shit. I can function in Japanese but I can't hold a proper conversation.
I can't read it:
^This. I literally cannot read Japanese. I know Hiragana (used for grammar and some words typically) and Katakana (mostly foreign words) but I can't read very many Chinese characters. In eight months I'm hoping I'll improve a bit but still its a big worry for me.
Being away from family:
I know this will sound stupid to a lot of the older Smogonites but remember that I'm 15. I've never been away from my family for an extended period of time. So I don't know how much I will miss them or if I will get homesick or not.
High Density Living:
Another one that will sound stupid to most people but I'm kind of worried I won't be able to adapt to dense city living of Japan. I live in outer suburban Melbourne and even the Melbourne CBD seems packed to me.
Anyway I made this thread in the hopes that Smogonites with more age under their belt than me will share their experiences. Please comment on your experiences on learning a new language. Being a student in a foreign country, first time being away from family. Tips for going to school in a language you don't speak, share anything you've got. I want to hear peoples' stories and advice. Thanks for reading.
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