July 6th, 2007

It is now the middle of the summer before I head out to Japan.(July 5th)So far I have received a confirmation packet from Nanzan.I sent in my confirmation and my physical.In a couple weeks I should get all the information on my host family. Hopefully they have a picture or something so that I'll recognize them when I get off the plane in Nagoya.By the way I confirmed my flights to Nagoya through Anthony Travel.On the 2nd of September it's outta Minneapolis to Denver and then Denver to SanFran where I'll hopefully be meeting up with the three other peeps that will be with me for the semester.My other three companions are Marla MacMichael, Mallory Laurel, and Kevin Prawdzik. Kevin will be staying for the year.I'm still trying to study every day; I'm writing down new kanji (I need to know at least all of the ILJ 200-level kanji), reading a few pages from my textbooks (Nakama One and Genki One), and--more than anything else--watching anime in Japanese with English subtitles.I know it's not much but heck you'd be surprised how much the free online shows help.Just listening to the words and trying to pick out what I know and then confirming with the subtitles really has done wonders for my confidence.I know that I am definitely not anywhere near being near fluent in the language but with a month and a half to go before I leave I feel that I can at least prepare for the new language and culture by reading and listening.

The other thing that I need to do before I leave is apply for a student visa through the Japanese embassy in Chicago.I have downloaded the application form from their website and I'm pretty sure that I don't have to make the trek out to Chicago to submit it.All I have to do is fill out the form and send it in, along with my passport and my Certificate of Eligibility(which I will be receiving from Nanzan along with my family information.I don't think I'm going to get an ISIC card unless it is totally necessary.The card is an international student discount card that is accepted in various locations around the world.Unfortunately for me the card has no useful locations in Nagoya.It will probably not be worth the $25 to get one and so I have declined to do so unless absolutely necessary.