Japanese Language and Japanese Culture Program
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I applied to HIF on a whim, not knowing what to expect. Now that I have completed the program, it's safe to say that applying was one of the best decisions I've ever made. From the ability to engage with the Hakodate community during culture classes, to the incredibly supportive staff and professors that helped us along the way, I'm so grateful for everything this program had to offer. I was challenged in all the right ways and improved in such a short period of time! Hakodate is a beautiful, special place and I can't wait to come back with the amazing friends I made during these eight short weeks.
HIF was hands down one of the best experiences of my life. I came into the program with the goal of improving my Japanese, and I certainly achieved that. But I also gained a lot more than just language skills. The HIF community is tight-knit, and I made lifelong friendships through this program as well. The bond of being foreigners in Japan is unlike any other, and making friends is extremely easy. I also got to bond with my host families. Both of my host families were so caring and welcoming, and we became close very quickly. Overall, this experience has changed my life, not only in terms of language skills, but also in connections.
For my first time traveling abroad, I do not think I could have picked a better place to be than Hakodate as an HIF student. Whether it be inside the classroom, with your host family, or even on the tram ride to school, there is always an opportunity to practice and better your Japanese. The HIF experience has taught me that there is no better teacher than struggling, and with a group of wonderful classmates, excellent staff, and an exceptionally fun host family, I truly never felt lost in my studies. This program is built to make sure you immerse yourself in the language and culture while having fun along the way, and I don't think I will ever regret being a part of it.
Eight weeks felt like a very short time to spend at HIF. Our teachers and the staff encouraged us to make the most of our time in Hakodate, and I feel lucky to have been able to make such good friends and interact with such a vibrant community. This was an experience I want to carry with me for a long time. I feel that I managed to enjoy my time here to the fullest, and I learned how to express myself better in general as well as in Japanese.
The summer at HIF has been wonderful for me! I'm so glad that I was able to improve my Japanese so much and met so many wonderful instructors, staff, students from other colleges and amazing Hakodate people there. There are so many things that I've learned from the people I met there, not only in term of Japanese learning but also about myself and others and the world around us. HIF provided me with so many opportunities to try things I've never had the chance and or courage to do before, and I also gained some very valuable cultural and social experiences and insights into life in Japan. All of these have become very precious memories of mine.
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Be comfortable with being uncomfortable. Studying abroad in a different country can no doubt be an intimidating experience, however ...
Washington
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North Carolina at
Chapel Hill
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