Since I was in elementary school, I like reading comics and watching Japanese animation. That’s why I became interested in Japanese culture. One of my dream is that someday I can go to Japan. On September 13th 2010, my dream came true. With a scholarship from Oil Company I got an opportunity to study nursing science in Kochi University. Kochi is a quite small city but it is beautiful.
Having lived 4 months in Japan, I got the chance to visit Tokyo, Osaka, Hiroshima, Yokohama, Nara, and Kyoto. After some visits on cities in Japan, I notice that in Japan the modern technology and traditional culture are getting along side by side. Therefore even though the used of modern technologies lived within the society, they also certainly maintaining the temples, castles and traditional festivals. So in touch with the harmony, balancing the life of Japanese people. It is really interesting.
As I arrived in Kochi, I found some difficulties, but everything got easier because I have some Indonesian friends who helped me. The main problem for me is the language, I can read hiragana and katakana, but I can not read Kanji. Most of the sentences use kanji more than hiragana and katakana, so it is a big problem for me. As an example; the direction of the bus is always written in Kanji, I often get lost because of it. I am lucky that my scholarship gives an opportunity to learn Japanese language. I tried to speak Japanese language even though it is not so good, but for me reading is still difficult. Japanese language class is really interesting, not only I learned about the language, but also the japanese culture.
Weather and food are also a problem for me. The taste of Japanese food is different from Indonesian food. Because of it, I decided to cook by myself. I bought Indonesian seasoning from Indonesian shop via internet. So the problem is resolved. Now Japan is winter and it is very cold. Compared to Indonesia, the weather is totally different. It is very difficult for me, however Japanese people are very friendly and warm, it makes me keep in spirit. I have many Japanese friends now. They are so kind. They teach me many things about culture, language, and japanese life. In Kochi, I have seen yosakoi and aikido. Yosakoi dance is beautiful and interesting.
This year is my first time celebrate New Year in Japan. My japanese friend said that Japanese people spent their new year`s eve watching television with their family. Since Kouhaku Uta Gassen is the most-watched television program on new year`s eve, he recommended me to watch it. It was interesting because I like Japanese music. Now I can not wait for other interesting cultures in Japan.
[January 1st 2011]