Welcome
Hello, my name is Alex Craig and this is my ePortfolio documenting my experience at California State University Monterey Bay as a Japanese Language and Culture BA. I attended CSUMB from Spring 2014 to Spring 2017, while also having attended Osaka Gakuin University during the Fall of 2014 as apart of CSUMB's study abroad program. Join me as I go over each and every class taken as apart of this program's requirements and MLOs, or Major Learning Outcomes, needed for my Arts and Humanities Bachelor Degree.
Each tab above will link you to a separate section of this weebly in which I explain in-depth classes, projects, and major requirements through the use of example presentations, essays, and other assignments. Under the "more" tab are links to my study abroad blog and flickr stream.
Each tab above will link you to a separate section of this weebly in which I explain in-depth classes, projects, and major requirements through the use of example presentations, essays, and other assignments. Under the "more" tab are links to my study abroad blog and flickr stream.
Statement of Purpose
My interest in Japanese culture and language began at a very young age with the introduction of the film My Neighbor Totoro, one of the many famous Studio Ghibli films produced and animated in Japan, while visiting my half Japanese cousin in Seattle. The introduction of Totoro and various other Studio Ghibli films sparked an interest for Japanese culture within me that will most likely last a lifetime. When I had learned that a local high school in the next town over had Japanese as an option for our required language course I signed up without hesitation. I studied the language from Freshman year to Junior year where I also participated in the Japanese club as vice president during my Sophomore and Junior years. As vice president of the club, I helped to organize the club's inclusion in various events, such as the Homecoming parade and also created the banner that was used in the parade and all other events in which we had a booth set up. Upon graduating high school, however, I did not continue to study the language, though my interest in the culture remained through my first couple of years in college.
Before coming to CSUMB, I had studied at Humboldt State University for 2 years and then transferred to West Valley Junior College in order to be closer to home. At Humboldt State I had originally planned on majoring in studio art but plans changed and I decided to study Japanese language again after having taking a 3 year break from it since graduating high school. I finished all the necessary courses I needed in order to get back into a four year college at West Valley where I also took a beginning Japanese language class. And with that having been taken care of, I transferred into CSUMB with Junior year status and began my Japanese major.
Only one semester after having joined the CSUMB student body, I eagerly prepared myself for studying abroad at Osaka Gakuin University for the following semester. I received my acceptance letter during Spring Break and quickly booked my flight. I was placed into an Elementary level Japanese language class and signed up for a Japanese religions and pop culture class (all can be found under my Fall 2014 term tab). While attending Osaka Gakuin, I naturally found it difficult to assimilate to the culture especially finding the right train lines and times. Luckily the school had paired each international student with a "buddy" who helped me to get around and teach me about the areas surrounding my apartment and the school. I learned so much about Japanese culture during my time there as I was able to attend many field trips and participate in several cultural activities that the school put together. My time in Japan is an irreplaceable experience that I will never forget along with the many international friends that I made.
My final years at CSUMB have helped me to polish and further advance my speaking, reading, writing, and listening skills through a variety of language and culture classes along with projects and papers required at the end of each class. I feel that I am more prepared than ever before, especially after studying abroad, ready to take on any career that this path may layout for me in the future.
Before coming to CSUMB, I had studied at Humboldt State University for 2 years and then transferred to West Valley Junior College in order to be closer to home. At Humboldt State I had originally planned on majoring in studio art but plans changed and I decided to study Japanese language again after having taking a 3 year break from it since graduating high school. I finished all the necessary courses I needed in order to get back into a four year college at West Valley where I also took a beginning Japanese language class. And with that having been taken care of, I transferred into CSUMB with Junior year status and began my Japanese major.
Only one semester after having joined the CSUMB student body, I eagerly prepared myself for studying abroad at Osaka Gakuin University for the following semester. I received my acceptance letter during Spring Break and quickly booked my flight. I was placed into an Elementary level Japanese language class and signed up for a Japanese religions and pop culture class (all can be found under my Fall 2014 term tab). While attending Osaka Gakuin, I naturally found it difficult to assimilate to the culture especially finding the right train lines and times. Luckily the school had paired each international student with a "buddy" who helped me to get around and teach me about the areas surrounding my apartment and the school. I learned so much about Japanese culture during my time there as I was able to attend many field trips and participate in several cultural activities that the school put together. My time in Japan is an irreplaceable experience that I will never forget along with the many international friends that I made.
My final years at CSUMB have helped me to polish and further advance my speaking, reading, writing, and listening skills through a variety of language and culture classes along with projects and papers required at the end of each class. I feel that I am more prepared than ever before, especially after studying abroad, ready to take on any career that this path may layout for me in the future.
Resumé
acraigresume.pdf | |
File Size: | 112 kb |
File Type: |
Individual Learning Plan (ILP)
Japanese Language and Culture BA ILP | |
File Size: | 102 kb |
File Type: |