MLO 5: Cultural Internalization and Language Immersion
5.1 Students demonstrate that they have actively immersed themselves in authentic Japanese cultural and linguistic environments and have internalized the language and cultural experience, from which they have developed a personal understanding and new perspectives of the community.
5.1 Students demonstrate that they have actively immersed themselves in authentic Japanese cultural and linguistic environments and have internalized the language and cultural experience, from which they have developed a personal understanding and new perspectives of the community.
In order to achieve this MLO I studied for an entire year abroad in Japan at Okayama University.
Reflective Narrative
By studying abroad for an entire year in Japan, immersed entirely in culture and language of the country I believe I gained an understanding of the country that could not be achieved in any other way. I have posted on this eportfolio my blog which I wrote while studying abroad. This blog is a very good way at measuring my opinions and views from the time I arrived at Japan to the time I left. I studied abroad at Okayama University in Japan for around 10 months. I was able to speak Japanese daily to friends and especially teachers. Regarding classes, all of my Japanese classes had been taught in Japanese. We were also only able to speak in Japanese while in class. This sort of environment made my Japanese level increase dramatically, which definitely helped to go towards my fulfillment of the MLO 1 as well. Especially since I was able to practicing speaking these new words or grammars I had learned with my Japanese friends outside of class. I was also able to dramatically internalize the Japanese culture and mind. If you would like to see my evidence of this cultural and linguistic experience please look at my LESCANT Project and Japan Blog that I created while in Japan (Reference LESCANT/ Japan Blog Below). The reason this is good evidence is that it shows how my linguistic and cultural knowledge of Japan evolved over the course of my time in that country. By living in the culture for nearly a year, I quickly discovered what the do's and don'ts are in the culture. I was able to visit many shrines and temples, and well as historical sites and soak up the Japanese heritage like a sponge. From these experiences of my cultural immersion I was able to get closer to the fulfillment of my MLO 2 as well. I was amazed at how strongly my opinions and perspectives grew with a new worldly perspective by living in a new society. Below I have linked my blog I wrote while in Japan as well as my LESCANT project, in which I took 7 pictures a month while abroad and explained a part of the culture or my experiences through them.