日本に行く夢がすぐ叶う！
決まったよ！９月から８月まで千葉県に住んで、麗澤大学に行くことになる！
麗澤大学の留学生の中で、中国や台湾や韓国から来た人が多くて、アメリカ人があんまりいないみたい。私の周りはみんなアジア人かも！
この夏休み、授業もバイトもしてるから、とても忙しいの。サブウェイの同僚に日本に留学する予定の話をしたけど、「怖いでしょ？アメリカ人が全然いないかもしれない所に行って住むなんて」って言われた。
でも、しなきゃいけないんでしょ。日本語が上手になるために！
両親も私のことを心配してる。「アナは一人でも大丈夫！？自分でショッピングもできる！？誰かの言うことがわからなかったらどうする！？道に迷ったらどうする！？」とか言ってるの。
私も本当に不安。１年生になるときも、とても緊張して、「自分で何もできない！」って思っちゃった。そのときはアメリカの大学に行くつもりだったけど。海外に行くことはそれよりも怖い。飛行機に乗るのも怖い。
でも時々、最も怖いことは最も大事なことだと言われてる。一年間両親がいなかったら、私は大人になれる。本当にしたいことができる。行きたい所に行ける。素晴らしい冒険もできる！日本生活に慣れることはとても難しくても、慣れたらきっと楽しくなる！日本語を話す友達も作りたい！サブウェイでバイトをすることで、たくさんのお金をためて、日本で色々な経験できるようになる！
arie
2020/02/12 22:16:00
Hi Ana,
I am Arie, a friend of Carrie. Nice to talk to you. I've heard from Carrie that you've finished taking all the tough exams now. I hope you're having a relaxing time in your spring holidays. It'd be a great opportunity for you to visit different places of scenic beauty and historic interest in Japan before the new semester begins in April. As you might've heard from Carrie, Kawagoe, which we are supposed to visit together with her on March 11, is one of the places of historical interest which is worth visiting during your stay in Japan. I'm sure you can enjoy taking a look at the vestige of an old shopping street in the city. I hope you can fully enjoy taking a stroll through the town forgetting about your study. You really deserve the leisurely time particularly after your strenuous efforts for the arduous exams. I'm looking forward to meeting you at the town of history retaining the culture and ambience of Edo, Kawagoe, on March 11. Have a nice evening.
☆きゃりー☆
2019/09/06 12:40:57
Hope you arrived in Japan safe and sound.^^
You must feel so hot today!
I'm looking forward to reading your blog articles soon.^^
☆きゃりー☆
2019/08/25 09:51:41
Thank you! I'm really looking forward to reading your blog articles.^^
☆きゃりー☆
2019/08/24 09:19:58
Can you log in nicotto during your stay in Japan?
I'd love to know what you do, what you did here!^^
☆きゃりー☆
2019/08/18 21:00:07
Then Thomas isn't so worried about you now!^^
ユウキ
2019/08/17 23:38:20
Ana, there are criminals in Japan, so you have to be careful. Try to walk in a bright place or on a road with many people. I wish you a pleasant life in Japan ^^
☆きゃりー☆
2019/08/17 08:04:15
You may knew it, but Thomas emailed me asking if it's safe for you to walk around places in Japan by yourself. I think Japan is quite safe, but maybe you shouldn't go out at night on your own.
I guess you want to go to popular sites; there should be lots of people around and you would be VERY safe.^^
☆きゃりー☆
2019/08/01 07:46:13
I agree with you~^^
☆きゃりー☆
2019/07/30 08:28:36
Yeah, very strange!
And I found why young people in America have their own opinions about many topics.
We should have class debate at school too!
Children in Japan just intend to memorise what they learned without thinking so that they'll get high score at any exams.
What a strange system!><
☆きゃりー☆
2019/07/29 07:52:23
We don't really learn about politics, and it's kinda taboo to talk about it.
And children don't have time to exchange opinions about many topics, so they are not used to have their own thoughts.
I think it's very strange! We should talk about it more and exchange opinions!
You are busy eating an apple everday!^^
☆きゃりー☆
2019/07/28 08:15:48
I think many Japanese are not interested in politics. I was surprised to hear many young American had opinions about which party they liked and whom they wanted to be a president etc when living in the U.S.
If you ask the same question, young Japanese would say " I don't know" ! I think that's a biiiiig problem!
You like apples, and so do I.
We have the same proverb in America and Japan!^^
☆きゃりー☆
2019/07/23 07:31:58
Well, I hate Mr.Abe and so does Yuki.^^
He controls everything by using the power of money. Money really talks!
That's why he keeps his position for a long time and does whatever he wants to do.
He tells so many lies and he wants Japanese army to battle on abroad with American army.
I can't stand that!
I'm soooo glad that Yuki also has the same opinion with me, but many Japanese don't know what Mr. Abe has actually been doing. Many of us are mind-controled. ><
☆きゃりー☆
2019/07/02 21:10:19
Oh, it's really like you.^^
You can say だいじょうぶ time and again! That's a very strong 言霊.
So if you chant it, everything will turn out all right.^^
☆きゃりー☆
2019/07/02 07:38:42
Wow! You'll go around the world! You can't wait, right?^^
☆きゃりー☆
2019/07/01 07:56:26
Yup! She doesn't know my English name, Carrie.
But I'll tell her about it!^^
Whoa! You just bought an airline ticket! The day I asked about it!!! Lol
That's good someone will pick you up at the airport.
If nobody would do, I'd be happy to pick you up!^^
☆きゃりー☆
2019/06/30 07:48:02
Okay! I'll tell his staying to Ms.Arita.^^
Can you tell me his email address?
She doesn't access to SNS, so she would contact with him via email.
I'll let her know of his add. I'll also tell him if any inconvenient things happen to him, he can ask me.
Is it okay?
BTW, when will you be coming to Japan? Do you already have an airline ticket?
How will you get to Minamikashiwa? By yourself?
☆きゃりー☆
2019/06/29 09:19:25
She, Ms. Arita, lives at Hoshikawa station, 星川駅, a couple of stations away from Yokohama station.
Her house is about 20 minutes walk from the station.
☆きゃりー☆
2019/06/29 09:16:22
That's good! If he decides on her, let me know~^^
☆きゃりー☆
2019/06/28 08:06:02
Yup! She speaks Japanese, English, and Russian, if I remember correctly.^^
☆きゃりー☆
2019/06/27 08:17:52
I'm now asking where actually she lives.
She said train ride to Minamikashiwa takes less than 2 hours with the cost of around 1000 yen(one way).
☆きゃりー☆
2019/06/27 08:15:48
Hi Ana! I got good news!
One of my acquaintances said that she's willing to accept Thomas in her house in Yokohama for a month!
She's a nice person; my piano teacher's friend. And she's in her 60's, I think.
She's now living on her own, so there're plenty rooms Thomas can use! And she serves every meals.
She might be going abroad during that time. In that case, you can put up at her house with Thoman as well.
☆きゃりー☆
2019/06/25 12:29:20
Another idea!
My son uses hellotalk and he asked someone to show him around when he went to Hongkong last year.
He just talked this idea on hellotalk and some stranger said she can help.
Maybe Thomas can ask about homestay on this site.
https://www.hellotalk.com/?lang=ja
☆きゃりー☆
2019/06/25 08:53:17
This is the English version of CouchSurfing site.
https://www.couchsurfing.com/
☆きゃりー☆
2019/06/25 08:39:41
Oh, it sprang to my mind! CouchSurfing is what I want to use if I stay somewhere overseas as it's free!^^
https://matome.naver.jp/odai/2143557402122974601
He can choose a family on the site. Hope there's someone who matches!^^
☆きゃりー☆
2019/06/25 08:25:10
I thought AirBnB is quite reasonable compare to other choices such as weekly amartments, YMCA, Youth hotels. Let's hope we can find someone who's happy to let Thomas stay their house!
My hubby doesn't want to accept someone in the house; if he were not here, I would be happy to let him stay!
☆きゃりー☆
2019/06/24 15:36:56
My neighbor doesn't want to let someone use their rooms when they are away. Too bad.
The person who speaks English and lives in Narita(probably) hasn't given me the reply yet.
It seems to be kind of tough to find someone who lets Thomas homestay during that time, cuz Japanese are especially busy towards the end of the year and during New Year holidays.
Did Thomas find some nice places which he'd like to stay on Airbnb?
☆きゃりー☆
2019/06/22 08:25:40
About the transportation expenses, between Kashiwa and Minami-Kashiwa (one station) is 133 yen. (one way)
Between Narita and Minami-Kashiwa is 669yen for an hour ride.
Between Miyazakidai(my place) and Minami-Kashiwa is 755yen for an hour and a half ride.
You can check the fares on this site below.
https://transit.yahoo.co.jp/
One of the families living in the same apartment house would be able to let Thomas use the room in Dec. and Jan., as they'll move to Kyushu area during the winter time. I'll ask them later.
About the host family in Chiba, one of the officers in Chiba prefecture government called me up yesterday saying that they only accept foreigners who come to Japan for studying. Too bad.><
☆きゃりー☆
2019/06/21 08:01:04
Here's another site which gives you the choice of inexpensive stay in Kashiwa in Chiba.
https://www.airbnb.jp/s/Kashiwa--日本/homes?refinement_paths%5B%5D=%2Fhomes&adults=1&children=0&checkin=2019-12-15&checkout=2020-01-14&place_id=ChIJxfhERlOdGGARFud6_QOXcS8&click_referer=t%3ASEE_ALL%7Csid%3A5212c49e-692e-4111-96ab-18667cd1f241%7Cst%3ALANDING_PAGE_MARQUEE&title_type=NONE&s_tag=-wJTtbqQ
The cheapest one is between 70,000~80,000yen per month.
Thomas doesn't need much transportation fee as those houses are near your university.
Now I'm waiting for the reply; the farmer's friend might be able to put up Thomas for some weeks in Narita in Chiba. Maybe an hour ride to Minami-kashiwa; your place.
The taiwanee's friend gave me the info above; she can't accept him during mid Dec. to mid Jan.
☆きゃりー☆
2019/06/20 08:24:34
Oh, significant other! I see.^^
I've been waiting for the replies from people I asked about Thomas's stay, but I haven't got any so far.
☆きゃりー☆
2019/06/19 09:51:11
BTW, what does "S.O." mean? You said Thomas is your S.O.
☆きゃりー☆
2019/06/18 09:36:06
I've found this site which tells you there are host families who accept people from overseas.
https://www.pref.chiba.lg.jp/kyouiku/seisaku/kokusaikouryuu/hostfamily.html
So I'm now asking them whether they will accept Thomas and give him somewhere to stay in Chiba.
I'll tell you right after I get their message!^^
☆きゃりー☆
2019/06/17 16:23:43
I'm now asking Taiwanese friend who can speak English. She and her hubby accept many people from overseas to their place in Tokyo.
I don't really know how to find a place which Thomas can stay, but I know some of my friends who would accept foreigners in the past. So I can ask them first.^^
If Thomas commutes from other areas, it'll cost him lots of transportation fees.
I went to climb Mt. Takako today; it took an hour train ride, and it costs me 2,000yen of return ticket.
The farmer in Chiba seems to be interested in this matter. She'll call me up this evening.
I'll let you know later~^^
☆きゃりー☆
2019/06/16 21:51:47
One of my friends who is a farmer lives in Chiba, but I don't think she understands English.
I'll check some of the places in Chiba which is reasonable to stay.
When you two hang out, it would be easier if Thomas stays near your place, right?
Wait a sec!^^
☆きゃりー☆
2019/06/16 21:02:09
I'm asking some of my friends right now.
Maybe he can stay some of those houses for free like homestay...
Would that be okay for him?
☆きゃりー☆
2019/06/15 08:44:16
Whoops! I meant hone!!^^;
☆きゃりー☆
2019/06/14 08:32:16
You already have a good command of Japanese, so maybe it's hard to see how you improve at the moment.
But don't worry~You'll horn your Japanese skills if you keep using them! Good luck^^
ユウキ
2019/06/13 21:25:41
アナとアナのご両親が思う心配は
当然の事だと思うよ。
私も少し心配だ。
でもそれ以上の経験や成果が
アナを待っていると思う。
たくさん学んで、友達も作って、
時には遊んで、
日本をいろいろと見てほしい。
今はアメリカの大学の授業とアルバイトを頑張って!
アナのすばらしい未来に乾杯＾＾b
☆きゃりー☆
2019/06/13 08:56:39
アナ~本当に良かったね！丸々一年間日本に住むのね。
英語を話す人がいないほうが、日本語上達すると思う！日本人で英語を学ぶために英語圏の国に行っても、結局日本人同士で過ごしちゃって、まったく上達しなかったという話はよく聞くよ。
そう、実際住むのが一番よね。そうするとコミュニケーションとらないと生活できないから！
でも、ジェスチャーで通じちゃうというのも事実よ。あと、日本人は英語をしゃべる人が好きな人が多いから大事にされると思うよ~＾＾
アナは自分で自分の道を決めて進んでいて、すばらしい！今は緊張・不安があっても、きっと日本で生活し始めたら、わくわくすることもたくさん出てくるね。大好きな日本！だものね＾＾
すごいね~夢がかなったね！一緒に都内ブラブラとかできたらうれしいな♪
じゅん♪
2019/06/13 01:59:32
日記広場で見かけて訪問しました。
留学決定、おめでとう！
初めての海外かな？ 日本を選んでくれてありがとう。
柏は比較的生活しやすいと思います。
たくさんの経験をして、楽しい思い出をいっぱいしてもらえるといいな。
治安の悪い部分もあるから、けして「100％安全だよ」とは言えないけど、
たぶん大学なら頼れるところはあるだろうから、勇気を持って行動しよう！
あなたの素敵な人生の一部になることを祈ります！
通りすがりの日本人より