I have enjoyed Japanese related things since the age of four. It may have started with the country's media and popular culture (since that was all I knew of at the time), but my obsession with Japan has grown into much more than cartoons, games, and comic panels. While growing up, I have read further into the history, culture, customs, and other aspects of Japan, and have always felt a strong connection with the country and its people.

It did not take long into my research before I started noticing similarities between common Japanese behaviors and expectations, and the way I preferred to live and behave. In my senior year of high school, I decided to teach myself Japanese (my high school did not offer Japanese) so I could feel more connected with the Japanese people. When I entered college, I began taking Japanese class at the University of Notre Dame, and loved it from day one. I walked from Saint Mary's to Notre Dame every morning (even during the winter) to take the course during my freshman year, since my schedule conflicted with bus times. I continued taking the language during my sophomore year, and took Japanese literature as well, deciding to make Japanese my second major.

After applying to Notre Dame's study abroad program in my sophomore year, I was accepted into the University's Spring 2010 program in Nagoya, Japan. After admiring this great country from afar, I would finally be able to be there for four months, living and studying in the place I had been interested in for so long. It is an excellent opportunity, not only get a real sense of Japanese culture and the people of Japan, but to gain confidence in speaking Japanese, a skill I want to have when applying for jobs.

Nanzan University, the university I would be attending in Nagoya, Japan, is a prestigious place of learning. As a Catholic university, it strives to incorporate Catholic ideals of unity and human dignity into the learning process of its students, and would allow me to easily continue practicing my faith while studying abroad. The Japanese language program and host family program through the Center of Japanese Studies is well spoken of in student feedback, and has received several positive reviews and comments from others as well.

Living with a Japanese host family, as well as attending an academically challenging university: it provides a most excellent opportunity for one wishing to travel and live in Japan, and I hope to make it a reality.