Integrative Narrative
During my time as a Japanese Language and Culture student and CSUMB, I have learned many aspects of Japanese society, language, and culture and have gained a new appreciation for both it and other cultures within the world. CSUMB lays down specific learning outcomes under our MLOs, and through our years of studying, we are expected to reach these learning outcomes.
First and foremost in our learning outcomes is Language (MLO1). Through a number of courses both at CSUMB, and at Toyo University while studying abroad, I have developed an Intermediate High level understanding of Japanese grammar, writing, and vocabulary. For instance, in Japanese 303, I learned about Japanese Keigo and the importance of certain word usage within a business setting. By creating my own business drama video demonstrating the business manners and rules I learned in class, I was able to demonstrate just how much my Japanese language ability has grown since I first became a Japanese major student.
My understanding of Japanese Culture has increased greatly as well. In order to complete both my Cultural Immersion (MLO5) outcome and Culture outcome, I both took classes at CSUMB and Toyo University and studied abroad in Japan for one year where I was completely immersed in Japanese culture. I've come to learn much about Japanese society such as in social etiquette, religion, and even the marketable cool aspects of life in Japan. I have given many presentations on Japanese culture (MLO2) now and am quite confidant in my understanding of Japanese culture and society.
In order to better understand Japanese culture, it was also imperative that I have a rudimentary understanding of a secondary culture (MLO3) to compare it to. In order to fulfill this requirement, I learned more about Mexico's history and culture. While both countries have had their share of problems in the past with the United States, their outcomes have differed vastly and so have their cultures, with Japanese being the far older of the two. Learning about the plight of the common man in Mexico and their constant fight against corruption showed me that while people do differ in cultures based on country, the underlying problems in all countries tend to remain the same.
Lastly, I finished my education at CSUMB with a research on social media and internet memes in order to fulfill my research (MLO4) learning requirement. I conducted a survey on both American and Japanese students to learn about their motivations for a specific form of entertainment known as memes, what their similarities are for likes and dislikes, and how the students home country and culture reflects their choices. By analyzing the data presented I was able to learn that while their motivations for liking certain forms of entertainment remained the same, the types of memes and entertainment enjoyed by the two groups differed between the countries.
I am very grateful for my time studying at CSUMB as it has enabled me to gain a better understanding of Japan both linguistically and culturally. I hope in the future to return to Japan in order to continue my education of the language and people, and hope that my time spent studying at CSUMB will serve me well in my future endeavours.
First and foremost in our learning outcomes is Language (MLO1). Through a number of courses both at CSUMB, and at Toyo University while studying abroad, I have developed an Intermediate High level understanding of Japanese grammar, writing, and vocabulary. For instance, in Japanese 303, I learned about Japanese Keigo and the importance of certain word usage within a business setting. By creating my own business drama video demonstrating the business manners and rules I learned in class, I was able to demonstrate just how much my Japanese language ability has grown since I first became a Japanese major student.
My understanding of Japanese Culture has increased greatly as well. In order to complete both my Cultural Immersion (MLO5) outcome and Culture outcome, I both took classes at CSUMB and Toyo University and studied abroad in Japan for one year where I was completely immersed in Japanese culture. I've come to learn much about Japanese society such as in social etiquette, religion, and even the marketable cool aspects of life in Japan. I have given many presentations on Japanese culture (MLO2) now and am quite confidant in my understanding of Japanese culture and society.
In order to better understand Japanese culture, it was also imperative that I have a rudimentary understanding of a secondary culture (MLO3) to compare it to. In order to fulfill this requirement, I learned more about Mexico's history and culture. While both countries have had their share of problems in the past with the United States, their outcomes have differed vastly and so have their cultures, with Japanese being the far older of the two. Learning about the plight of the common man in Mexico and their constant fight against corruption showed me that while people do differ in cultures based on country, the underlying problems in all countries tend to remain the same.
Lastly, I finished my education at CSUMB with a research on social media and internet memes in order to fulfill my research (MLO4) learning requirement. I conducted a survey on both American and Japanese students to learn about their motivations for a specific form of entertainment known as memes, what their similarities are for likes and dislikes, and how the students home country and culture reflects their choices. By analyzing the data presented I was able to learn that while their motivations for liking certain forms of entertainment remained the same, the types of memes and entertainment enjoyed by the two groups differed between the countries.
I am very grateful for my time studying at CSUMB as it has enabled me to gain a better understanding of Japan both linguistically and culturally. I hope in the future to return to Japan in order to continue my education of the language and people, and hope that my time spent studying at CSUMB will serve me well in my future endeavours.