愛されたきおくがあるだけ。。。

In the few weeks since my last post, I've finished classes for the semester, helped students prepare for their Japanese oral and written final exams, won a couple scholarships, attended ceremonies for said scholarships, ridden carnival rides in a school parking lot (while screaming Japanese words with Jess and Reika), given a presentation about diversity, and performed a Japanese roleplay about Obama. (And no, I wasn't Obama, but thanks for asking.)

So, as I mentioned, SCHOLARSHIPS! I found out earlier this week I will receive $7,200 for my studies at Sapporo ($800 for travel expenses and then an $800 stipend per month for 8 months) from the Japan Student Services Organization (JASSO). The organization gives out 1,800 of these per year to international students who plan to study at a Japanese university for anywhere from three months to a year.

I'll admit, I'm still getting used to being described as an "international student." Even though I've studied abroad before on field studies in Italy with the Honors College and in Japan with the Kentucky Institute for International Studies, all of the documents I read were geared toward me and never directly called me an international student or foreign exchange student. I still see myself as me, the same American who just happens to be studying for eight months in Japan; I never gave much thought to the new label I would have. Last summer, I was a "tourist." This year, I'm a "foreign exchange student." Can't say I mind the change. :)

Because individuals have to be nominated by their Japanese host universities for the JASSO scholarship, I had little control over it. Apparently, my GPA, basic education info and letter of recommendation was enough, so now I will have some money to subsidize my apartment rent.

[TO BE CONTINUED...]

Blog soundtrack: Remioromen "Nagareboshi"