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#From feeling unsure and holding back to wanting to take on challenges #Japanese conversation skills and motivation to study the language #A month in Sapporo, with time to relax, too
I’m Sua Lee. I love Japan and want to get better at Japanese. I joined a one-month Japanese language study program in Sapporo to improve my Japanese and become more confident. I prefer winter to summer, and I had wanted to visit Sapporo for a long time. I chose this program because I wanted to learn a language I love in a place I love.
I was worried because it was my first time traveling abroad alone. I wondered if I could manage on my own or what I would do if something happened that I couldn’t fix. But as I prepared step by step through the Gap Year missions before leaving, I began to feel that I could do it.
I often acted without confidence when working or making decisions. So I set a goal of thinking, “Just do it! Give it a try!” even when I felt afraid or unsure about taking on a challenge. While I was there, I was very careful and safe, except when walking on slippery ground. It didn’t snow very heavily while I was there, so getting around was fine.
Classes at the language school started at 9:30 a.m., so I arrived at 9 to prepare for the day’s lessons. Classes usually lasted 50 minutes, followed by a 10-minute break. Regular morning classes ended at 12:20. During the first week, we introduced ourselves every day so we could get to know our classmates and teachers.
Each teacher had a slightly different teaching style, but usually we looked at the textbook, talked about the day’s topic, and learned what it meant. Then we practiced speaking with a partner using that topic. From Monday to Wednesday, we had lessons in the usual way. On Thursday, we had a short test and a writing exercise. On Friday, we gave a talk about ourselves. After the talks, we read each other’s writing from Thursday and left short comments. That was really fun.
After the regular morning classes, students could join activities arranged by the school, but they had to sign up first. Because the classes were small, I could focus more on the teachers and my classmates, which I liked. Everyone explained things kindly, so I didn’t have to feel embarrassed when I made a mistake. I really liked that.
The people I remember most are the teachers at the language school. I remember Mizuki, who always taught us with a smile, and Masaki, who caught a cold after our first class and made me worry. The fun classes and stories from my classmates and teachers helped me learn things I hadn’t known before.
I often went out for spicy miso ramen at lunchtime. The place I thought was best was Ramen Nishiya’s Otaru Ekimae branch, near Otaru Station. I’m sad that I only explored places near Sapporo, but I think it’s nice to leave some places for next time. That way, I’ll want to go back.
After my month of language study, I became a little more confident. I kept up the habits I had while living in Japan, and I feel much less lazy now. I also made time to rest, and these days I’d like to study languages other than Japanese, too.
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