JUNE 30th:

For this first photo analysis, I couldn't only choose one photo because the people I wanted to represent weren't in all of them. So I chose four and made them into one whole picture. Before anything else, I want to talk about the amazing people who have helped all of us international students settle here and experience new things. The top left photo was our first meeting together with the other international students and the Japanese students who would be there to help us for the time we are here. We have people from Hawaii, Indiana, California, and Brazil. The other international students not in this picture came here earlier than we did. So we have others from Thailand, Taiwan, Korea, New Zealand, Austrlia, and China. Quite a diverse bunch! The picture underneath was just a small group of us when we went strawberry picking. I've never done something like that in America. I really enjoyed it and the strawberries taste even better than back home. Our Japanese friend, Ayane, was able to drive us there to share the experience. In the bottom right, we have more Japanese students and international students. That day was just another day hanging out with everyone in the international lounge on campus. The lounge serves as a friendly place for anyone to visit to study, eat, or talk with each other. Many Japanese students will go there and request help with English from the American students. It's such a welcoming place on campus. Ayane and the other native students are always ready to show us new aspects of Japan, share cultural information, and give us new experiences. They are the a huge part of my ability to connect with my host country.

Lastly, the picture in the top right corner is one of great importance. Not necessarily the event, but the person it represents. The person on the left is Usui-san. He is one of our professors, as well as an employee in the International Exchange Center of Hakuoh University. Usui-san and the others of that office have been huge helps throughout the process of settling in and with any issues that may arise during the program. Usui-san is the professor of one of our Life of Japan courses. He has shared so much with us about Japan. He talked with us about Japanese spirits, gestures, houses, gods, and sake. He takes us on little class field trips to see Japanese style houses, Japanese style foods/groceries, and to a sake brewery, which is where we were in the picture. He explains everything to us, answers all of our questions, and works as an interpreter for us. He is a big part of my connection to Japan. I look forward to more enjoyable moments in his class.

So this is a tremendous thank you and appreciation to all of the people I have met on this journey so far and for the days to come.