Your Status: Committed

I received an email from UNCG's IPC (International Program Center) about an update to my application for Study Abroad. When I logged in to my account to begin working on my new stack of paperwork, I was greeted with: "Your Status: Committed." Sounds scary, doesn't it? Basically, UNCG expects that I am in for the long haul. And I've done too much paperwork already to turn back now! The new laundry list includes:

1. Communication form
2. Conduct Pledge
3. Financial Statement (signed by my parents)
4. Health form
5. Passport photocopy
6. Statement of Participant Responsibilities
7. Transfer Credit form
8. Travel Grant Signature form
9. Requirement for Direct Deposit

Daunting, I know. Luckily, most of it is just signing a piece of paper, further selling my soul away to the IPC, which requires little real work on my part. Three of the forms will be signed at the Financial and Academic workshops we are required to attend within the next month. And of course, everything is due before December 1st. In the last few minutes, I've already completed four of them so this should be significantly less stressful than the last round of requirements.

For future students, don't let this scare you away! All of the paperwork is necessary, I promise. Now I know what it must feel like for foreigners trying to come to America. What a pain in the rear...

じゃ！
Corri(nne)

How to: Japan

There are many cultural differences and nuances between Japan and the West-- or the rest of the world, for that matter. TheJapanChannelDCom on Youtube does a great job of going through some of those things with viewers. Even simple things like a bathroom vary widely from our own. I actually hope I can one day experience one of these: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EO1oJLkR-WE&feature=channel

Anyway, check out some of his videos because they are awesome and informative. (Also, they're very short so if you are bored you can go through several of them. Trust me, I've done it.)

じゃ!
Corri(nne)

Brain Overload!

WOAH! Study Abroad Orientation just blew my mind. Honestly, I thought spending 9 am - 5 pm talking about the ins and outs of study abroad would be painfully boring, but I actually had an awesome time. It was great seeing all of the UNCG students involved in the program and where they were going. (I couldn't help being reminded of Hetalia though; everyone had the name of the country they were going to on their name tags!) My good friend Kristina Ragan spent the day with me, which made it even better. She is going to Finland (how unique!)

The program started with a light "breakfast" (really just a plate of fruit and some orange juice). Then we dived in to some of the many questions people have about study abroad. How do you get a passport? A visa? What about money? And what should you bring (or not bring)? They also mentioned the paperwork (yes, more paperwork) that we have to work on between now and December 1st. And it's a monster pile of paper! At least they gave us a month instead of a week to do it this time.

Later on we did a simulation meant to represent the stages of culture shock along with the language barriers we might encounter when we go abroad. This was demonstrated through a brand new card game we had to learn-- without talking! It was frustrating, but also a lot of fun, and the way they tied it in to our future experience abroad was well done. Following the mini card tournament, we took a break for lunch. Once we reunited, we watched a video showing students of many different cultural backgrounds having a discussion about a controversial topic. Through the video we learned about cultural differences and ways of communication that may differ from our own. Then we discussed how we can adapt to these and be mindful of them when we travel to our respective countries.

Towards the end of the session there was an international student panel consisting of the study abroad students currently studying at UNCG from around the world. They answered a few questions about their experience here in the States quite honestly (and humorously.)  Finally, we broke into groups by country. I met the three other people going to Japan and we were able to ask Takagi sensei (my former Japanese professor) all of the Japan specific questions we had. The most daunting thing I learned is that I would have to fly to Japan alone, and then travel from Tokyo to Nara using public transportation. Yikes! Guess I better start figuring that out now... Maybe I will spend a day in Tokyo before I go to Nara :)

All in all, it was a huge brain overload, but I am even more excited now than I was before to go to Japan. There are so many challenges, opportunities, and experiences awaiting me that I am sure I can't even fathom.

Too bad I have to wait until March to go! However, I am sure that day will arrive even sooner than I think. I am looking forward to it!

じゃ！
Corri(nne)

Whew!

So, I finally turned in all my application materials for Nara. It was very confusing trying to compile a financial statement and health certificate since the school didn't provide any specific forms. After jumping through a bunch of hoops and exchanging several emails, I was able to get the general gist of what I needed for the financial statement. The "health certificate" was a complete nightmare though. I think I made four or five different trips to the health center over the span of two days in order to fill out a physical form that didn't even exist. (If you're confused, don't worry, so was I.)

However, the deed is done. Application form? Check. Passport photos? Check. Financial statement? Double check. Health Certificate? You better believe it. And everything else that goes along with it. It feels good to finally have all the materials turned in. Now, it's up to Nara Women's University to give me the final "yay" or "nay".

Unfortunately, the official acceptance letter isn't expected to come for another three to four weeks. Aaaaaugh! That means three to four more weeks of anticipation. The study abroad office was very reassuring though. They told me that my application is strong and Nara is already aware of who I am. (Basically, that I shouldn't worry about not getting accepted, but there's always that slim chance, isn't there?)

Anyway, like I said, what's done is done. Please pray that everything goes smoothly and NWU decides to let me study with them in Spring 2011!

じゃ！
Corri(nne)

Spirituality in Japan

Japan is a very spiritual country. They believe that every person, every living thing, and even the nonliving things, have a place in the grand scheme of life and should be honored. The Japanese respect the earth and each other, and are generally a peaceful people, but they lack one thing: a relationship with Jesus Christ.

According to NationMaster's statistics, 96% of Japanese are Bhuddist, while 86% are Shinto and Bhuddist. Being a Christian, this is one of my major concerns about going to Japan. Where will I go to church? How will I have fellowship with other believers? Will I be able to maintain my current spiritual walk with God, or will I become "luke warm"? I consider going abroad a real test of my faith, but through prayer, I am confident God will provide, like he always does.

Less than 1% of Japanese are Christians. Let me put that in perspective. In 2009, Japan was reported to have 127.51 million residents. That means a little over 1.2 million people in Japan claim to be Christians. Overall, that is not very many.

However, I made an amazing discovery while perusing the internet. There is a Protestant church in Nara called Nara International Christian Church. Like it's name says, it is an international church that preaches in many languages, including English! I am not sure how far it is Nara Women's University, but I know I will find a way to get there. For all my Christian friends who are following this, please continue to ask that God provides a Christian family for me during my stay in Japan!

じゃ！
Corri(nne)



Unique to Nara

Did you know that Nara is the home to the oldest and largest wooden structure in the world? This building is the Todai-ji Temple, which was built in 728 A.D (Japan National Tourism Organization).

But what have I heard about more than the temples in Nara? Their deer. Yep, you heard me right. Like Bambi. Except, these deer are not as cute. Because people have been giving the deer in Nara park food for so long, they flock to any person with food in their hands. Kind of like the seagulls at the beach when you have french fries-- but these have horns. So why are deer allowed to roam free around Nara?

"According to the legendary history of Kasuga Shrine, a mythological god Takemikazuchi arrived in Nara on a white deer to guard the newly built capital of Heijou-kyou. Since then the deer have been regarded as heavenly animals, protecting the city and the country.

Tame deer walk around the town, especially in Nara Park. Snack vendors sell "shika sembei" (deer biscuits) to visitors so they can enjoy feeding the deer. They nudge, jostle, and even bite for food." (Wikipedia)

The following pictures are the property of Matt Roszak and were taken from his ~kupo707 deviantart page:
Tōdai-ji and Kōfuku-ji temples in Nara Park are pictured along with the famous deer.

Japan: The Strange Country

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rgsbIfI0uIg

This is a link to an interesting youtube video about Japan. It is worth watching if you have an extra ten minutes to spare!

Corri(nne)

Japan from Hetalia: Axis Powers

おめでとうございます！Congratulations!

"Congratulations! You have been nominated to study abroad at Nara Women's University for the spring semester 2011."

When I read these words in an email entitled: "Study Abroad Nomination", I think my heart skipped a beat. It's official folks! I have been nominated by UNCG to go to Nara Women's University in Japan. That means I'm all set! ...right?

Nope. Just kidding. Before it can be officially official, I need to submit a separate application to NWU. Should be a piece of cake, right? Well, according to the email, NWU will need the following from me before I am accepted:

1. Application form (5 pages)
2. Four passport-sized photos- one used in the application form
3. Health Certificate
4. Copy of passport ID page
5. CV form
6. Financial statement (This document is required to prove a student can meet her living expenses during her stay in Japan. A certificate issued from a bank which proves the existence of the financial supporter's bank account, the account number and the balance is acceptable.)

Other documentation includes my transcript, certificate of enrollment, recommendation letters and certificate of Japanese language ability. The IPC provides these documents, since I have already turned them in.
The real kicker? It's all due the Friday I get back from fall break. Yikes! I guess I better get crackin'. But the real question is, do I need to fill out this application in English, or in Japanese? Hmm...

Honestly though, with all of the stress school is causing me right now, this seems like the least stressful thing on my list. I am one step closer to my study abroad journey. Hopefully the next time I will be updating this blog it will be to say Nara accepted my application!

Prayers appreciated <3

じゃ!

Corri(nne)

Japan and America from Hetalia: Axis Powers dressed for the cool weather!