S&S

you’re right about how the metropolitan style of living may be responsible for our disregard of nature’s beauty.

I am very impressed that you write and take notes in Japanese. Did you take any preliminary language courses in Syria prior to your move to Japan?

In my case, it would’ve been impossible for me to make this work and I am sure I would’ve failed within the first few months, if not weeks. Trust me, I am shit at languages. I can barely catch up with my French and we all know that for someone who speaks English fluently, French shouldn’t be as hard if you put your head to it. But I read somewhere that some people are better with languages than others. I wonder if it’s something that is innate or has to do with genetics.

If your gpa does not really matter to you, then it’s all good because you seem to be really enjoying this experience. I guess in your field of study, gpas don’t really matter right? But, in my case, as an aspiring historian aiming to work in research and academia, I must possess a decent gpa.

Being a Londoner I shouldn’t have to tell you about big metropolitan life. Yes, beauty might be at hand’s reach, but the life style one is forced into makes us less likely to notice it, let alone enjoy it. Japan is no exception, but rather, an extreme example of such.

I have to study in Japanese actually (I am the only foreigner in my class). Japanese is certainly not an easy language, and I am certainly not “performing” academically (and my GPA would attest to that). I am barely getting by, and my school days are filled with stress and lack of concentration because there is just so much concentration your mind is capable of in one day. So yes, it’s a very difficult experience, but a very gratifying one too. I read and write and take notes in Japanese, but when I want to speak, I fail miserably.

To be honest, after 3 years of being here, I realize that at 19 I was definitely not ready for this kind of intense experiences, and I am rather surprised that it turned out this well (in relative terms ofcourse).

you must be kidding me! You see this on a daily basis? What a lucky son of a man ;)

Stupid question but take me for what I am; the language of instruction is in Japanese or is there an option for English? Cause I am guessing it’s not that easy to pick up a foreign language in a matter of a few years, especially this language, and just perform academically, right? Then again, don’t mind me. Just because I’m shit at learning new languages, doesn’t mean others are like me :)

Mariyah,
Thank you! It is a beautiful country. I might be a little too harsh on Japan sometimes, but it is, beyond doubt a very beautiful country.

Abu Fares,
I will be waiting patiently for that!

Jill,
It’s just street public works… they’re digging some hole! The funny thing about Japan though is that there would be 3 people digging the hole and 10 people diverting cars and warning people about it… almost a whole block away! And you wonder why they have such a low unemployment rate!

Diana,
Thanks, you should put up some of your photos too, they are wonderful!