Happy New Year to all of our TUJ friends. Whether you spent the new year season here in Tokyo or elsewhere in Japan or the world, here at OSS we hope you had a safe and enjoyable holiday.
Last week we had orientation for new Japan Admit and Study Abroad students. It was a whirlwind of information for a not-small group of new students, and we’d like to thank everyone for their enthusiasm despite jet lag and for everyone’s help and great energy.
Today (Tuesday, January 12) marks the official first day of classes for the Spring 2010 semester at TUJ. To new students, best of luck and study hard as you settle in to your new and exciting surroundings. To continuing students, keep up the good work!
There’s a lot happening at TUJ semester, and OSS has a fresh batch of activities and events open to all students. Drop by our office (1F, Azabu Hall) for more information and to register (first come, first serve!). A full list of Spring 2010 activities and events can be found on our webpage here.
Interested in contributing to this blog? Send an email to oss@tuj.ac.jp to learn how you can get involved.
Name: Vinni Cheng
Major: Architecture
Minor: Japanese
Semester: Fall 2009
Best excursion with host family: I was lucky enough to experience my little host sister’s 7th birthday which is a special celebratory age called shichi-go-san (7-5-3), which celebrates children turning 7, 5 or 3 years old that year. During that day, the child would be dressed elaborately and the whole family would go out to scenic areas to take pictures, and a celebratory meal would be eaten. Since my host mother is a collector of kimonos, I had the opportunity to try wearing one of her fancier ones which was a gorgeous crimson red kimono decorated with flowers and birds with a black and gold obi. We strolled around a scenic park and my host father took many pictures. Afterwards, we headed to a restaurant and ate a meal with countless courses and we all passed out in the warm private dining room waiting for dessert. The celebration was quite short since it was only half a day long and I was quite thankful that I was able to take off the 20-pound kimono when I got back, but I would not have passed out the chance to wear that kimono for anything. I spent the rest of the day relaxing at home and played games with my host sisters.
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There were more than 20 students who have submitted their photos, and we have had quite a variety of submissions this semester. Thank you all for your participation. The photos were voted on per category by OSS-related staff members. From each category winner, the photo that received the most votes is the winner of the grand prize!!
And the Grand Prize Winner is…..
From the Studen Life Category, “Sporting the colors of Tokyo” by Richard Loria (Fall 2009 SA Student)!!
Student Life: Sporting the Colors of Tokyo by Richard Loria
The first place winners for each of the other categories are……
City and Scenic: Sleepless by Yejun Jeong
Japan: Food Market by Saleem Ahmed
TUJ Activities and Events: The Fight Begins by Jordan Sheng-Hung Chien
Free: Bicycles by Monica Noeva Tandung
See more photos Read the rest of this entry »
We are pleased to add “Homestay Testimonials” to our blog. In this section, students who have experienced homestays can talk about the enjoyable times they spent with their new “Japanese home away from home.” Through homestays, many students experience a side of Japan that can only be experienced by living with a local family – a kind of international exchange that is unique to each individual and their family, creating bonds that often last a lifetime.
Name: Tom Macchi
Major: International Business and Culture
Minor: Economics and Japanese
Semester: Summer 2009
Favorite Courses: Okada Sensei’s Intensive Oral Japanese. Seeing as I was living with a host family this class was the absolute most appropriate for my situation and focused much more on practical use of Japanese. It was a ton of fun bringing what I learned in class right home to my family to practice. The course was a big help in allowing me to feel comfortable traveling Japan independently.
Best Excursion: To say there was one best excursion with my host family would severely downplay my experience with them considering we did so many awesome things together on a daily basis. One great experience was when my host mother took me out to dinner with her mother at a local restaurant for a ‘girl’s night out,’ even though I was with them. It was great to follow them down a side-street somewhere in Minami Kashiwa, passing tons of little restaurants and shops I would never had otherwise found. We eventually entered the back door to a building which turned out to be the front door to a little local restaurant filled with people. I quickly became the center of attention at the bar-style restaurant as everyone was eager to ask me, the interesting gaikokujin, an assortment of questions. It was a very fun experience.
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Are you thinking of staying in Japan
after graduation?
Are you currently or will you be looking for employment in Japan?
Then come and listen to two non-native speakers of Japanese talk about…
The Importance of Learning Japanese NOW
Date: Thursday, Nov. 26, 2009
Time & Location: 12:30 – 13:30 Azabu Hall 213 and
17:30 – 18:30 Mita Hall 503
Target Student: All non-native speakers of Japanese
Sponsors: Career Development Office and
Office of Student Services
Content:
- Learn from the experiences of Erica (CDO)
and David (OSS).
- Tips for studying Japanese in and outside the classroom
- Advice about the JLPT exams
- Chance to informally ask questions/receive advice from Erica and David.
Sign up at the Office of Student Services (1st Floor Azabu) or the Career Development Office (6th Floor Azabu)
TUJ Culture Exchange Camp - Fall 2009
The following is a student’s account of the OSS-organized Culture Exchange Camp, which took place from September 25-26, 2009 at the Center Village Campsite in Yamanashi Prefecture.
After leaving home at around 6:30 AM, I arrived at the meeting spot and met some other people who were attending the camp. We left the school around 8:30 AM.
We stopped at a resting spot about half way. At the resting spot, we bought some snacks and lunch. I ate dango.
After that we went back to the bus and then continued heading to the camping spot, which is deep in the mountains. The roads were curvy and up-hill. The weather was nice and not cold. Because the bus couldn’t get into the camp site, once we arrived to a certain point, we had to get off the bus and walk the rest of the way…
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Frijoles: Great-tasting real food, served fast. Not fast food.
Can’t find a good burrito in Tokyo?
Why not enjoy some great food for under 1000 yen?
FRIJOLES celebrated their grand opening on November 4 with mouth-watering success. And if their delicious food and great prices aren’t enough to pursuade you, just show your TUID (or alumni card) and get a free soft drink with any meal.
Just around the corner from Azabu Juban station. Check out their webpage here.
Frijoles Map
Members from TUJ’s Baseball Club volunteered as base umpires at baseball games at the Yokosuka Base. The games were between the Tokyo Yayoi Club and the Patriots, of the US Navy (USS George Washington CNV-73).
The first game ran from 13:00 to 15:00, and the second one from 15:20 to 17:30.
It was really a good experience for our team because we could enjoy our time inside the Yokosuka Base, and we could also make relationships with both baseball teams. They in turn got to know about TUJ and our Baseball Club. So now, we can hopefully have another game with them someday!
After the games, we had dinner at Subway & A&W. It was awesome!
Submitted by TUJ Baseball Club
The Fall 2009 Activities & Events are now posted on the TUJ website!
Activities are open to all TUJ students, and we encourage you to invite fellow TUJ students to join. Due to limited space, we advise that you register early as participation is sometimes dependent on advance registration.
How to Register:
1.Fill out the Activity Registration Form for the activity you are interested in. Forms are available at the OSS office (Room 108, Azabu Hall).
2.Bring the completed Activity Registration Form and the exact amount of the payment (CASH ONLY) to OSS during the activity registration times listed below.
★Activity Registration Times★
Tuesday – Friday (9:30am – 17:00pm)
Fall 2009 registration will begin on Tuesday, 9/1 at 9:30am
On August 7th and 10h, TUJ’s Sports Club organized basketball and futsal games at Sukoyaka Plaza in Itabashi-ku. More than 15 students attended each day.
Submitted by the TUJ Sports Club
