MENU OPEN

YOU & KU-SGU

Japanese students and KU-SGU

Growing into global human resources who can thrive in global society under the KU brand,
through self-improvement as individuals and as specialists.

*Study Abroad in Canada*
School of International Studies, College of Human and Social Sciences

TATEBE Toshiko

I studied at University of Montreal in Quebec, in the east of Canada, from September 2014 to May 2015. When you hear “studying abroad in Canada,” you may imagine that I took courses in English. That’s not right. I took them “in French.” In Quebec, some conflicts between France and Britain happened several times over the interest of Quebec. The historical cause exercised a great influence on the establishment of “two official languages -English and French-” in the whole Canada. However, in fact, people in Quebec always speak French.

Before leaving Japan, I didn’t particularly try to take a lot of French language proficieny exams. Instead, I saw French grammar classes at the university as the most important part of preparation because it’s evident that learning grammar is the best shortcut to become a fluent speaker for people who learn languages in addition to their mother tongue. Nothing is more important than the basis. I made it a rule in Japan to review French grammar.

I went to French language school on campus in the first semester abroad, and I took some classes with regular students in the second semester, namely “The Theory of International Relations” and “The European History in the 18th and 19th Century.” In the class of “The Theory of International Relations,” the teacher usually picked up China and Japan as an example when talking about Asia. Moreover, students often asked the teacher some complicated questions related to China and Japan. When I was in Japan, I couldn’t believe in the news that the action of China and Japan is always the object of the whole world’s attention. However, taking classes outside Japan enabled me to trust that the news is true. Reviewing Japan from outside interested me greatly and gave me a new way of thinking, for my major is international political science at Kanazawa University.

All you will acquire during study abroad is not only improvement of your language skills. During my stay in Montreal, I improved the abilities to analyze problems from different viewpoints of culture, race, people and language, to imagine others’ situations and to analyze myself objectively. In addition, I’m really sure that these abilities are necessary in Japan as well as in other countries.

建部都志子_語学学校の友人

With the friends at French language school

 

(Updated:?October 16, 2015)

  • At Japanese restaurant with friends learing Japanese

    At Japanese restaurant with friends learing Japanese

  • View from trekking route

    View from trekking route

Look more other posts in this category

  • *Participation in One Young World 2023 Belfast Summit*
    Division of Geosciences and Civil Engineering, Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology/KU-SGU Student Staff
    IIDA Ginta

  • *Participation in One Young World 2022 in Manchester*
    Division of Natural System, Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology / KU-SGU Student Staff
    ISHIGURO Ayumi

  • *Study Abroad First Step Program in Bangkok, Summer (online)*
    School of International Studies, College of Human and social Sciences
    ITAKURA Sakura

  • *Study Abroad First Step Program in Bangkok, Spring (online)
    School of Economics, College of Human and social Sciences
    YAMAKADO Miku

  • *HIS Internship Program in New Zealand*
    School of General Education
    OKUBO Fuka

  • *Study Abroad First Step Program in New Zealand*
    School of Health Sciences, College of Medical, Pharmaceutical and Health Sciences
    NISHITA Rika

  • *Study Abroad First Step Program in New Zealand*
    School of Environmental Design, College of Science and Engineering
    HAYASHI Yoshifumi

  • *KU Study Abroad Internship Program in Malaysia*
    School of Economics, College of Human and Social Sciences
    SATO Serina