Inspired the Career of My Trilingual High School English Teacher: the Path to Bilingualism
My high school English teacher was trilingual who spoke Myanmares, Japanese, and English. She told us stories from her time before she was an English teacher. She used to be a guide for Japanese tourists visiting Myanmar. This was when I became fascinated with the possibility of language learning, meeting, and communicating with people of various nationalities and cultural backgrounds. In addition, the wonderful encounters I had with the teachers and Japanese people in that class, and the stories I heard about Japan, made me want to study Japanese after graduating from high school. It hadn’t even crossed my mind that one day I’d get to study abroad in Japan.
My mother wanted me to become a doctor, but I had no interest in medicine. Instead, I awoke to my first field of interest: the Japanese language. This has not changed. Since I enrolled in the Japanese Language Department of Yangon University of Foreign Languages, learning Japanese has been my central interest. Conversing in Japanese is the time that brings me the most joy!
Chance to Study Abroad in Japan at Kyoto University for a Year
One day while studying at the Japanese Language Department of Yangon University of Foreign Languages, I learned about a study abroad program offered by the Japanese Embassy. The program helped Japanese language students from around the world to study at a Japanese university for a year and study Japan. I applied for the program not wanting to miss my chance. Thankfully, Kyoto University accepted me as a student for a year.
Stepping into the Land of Anime: The Surreal Experience of Studying Abroad in Japan
I felt like I had finally arrived in the world I had only seen in anime when I first stepped in Japan. The atmosphere of the houses and towns was exactly the world I had seen in anime. The scenery was completely different from that of Myanmar and other Southeast Asian countries.
At Kyoto University, I had to take classes and other electives assigned by the program and write a thesis. In the required courses assigned to the program, I learned academic techniques in Japanese, such as how to read and write papers and present presentations in Japanese. I studied with classmates from Australia, Turkey, and various other countries who were part of the same program. We also had a class every Wednesday that took us on a bus tour around Kyoto, so we were able to experience the good old culture of Japan.
My research topic was how Gyoki spread then-suppressed Buddhism to the people during the Nara period. Kyoto was the perfect location for this research!
In addition to the required classes, I also took elective courses in European mythology and psychology. There, I met and made friends with Japanese students from Kyoto University.
My Japanese Language Skills Improved Greatly During the Study Abroad Period
Before coming to Japan to study, I was learning from a Myanmarese teacher using Japanese textbooks. Japanese in the Kansai dialect is quite different. So, in the beginning of my study abroad period, I sometimes had difficulties understanding my pronunciation and listening.
However, my Japanese improved rapidly through taking Japanese language classes, writing academic papers in Japanese, independent study, living in Japan, and making Japanese friends. In my independent study, I shadowed to improve my pronunciation. This is a study method where you watch Japanese podcasts or YouTube videos, write down the lines of the characters in a notebook, and imitate them out loud.
Returning Home from Studying Abroad in Japan: I Became Determined To Come Back With A Job in Japan
Before coming to Japan to study, I was worried about whether I would fit in well and whether I would be able to meet kind people. After all, it would be my first time living abroad. Contrary to my expectations, my life in Japan turned out to be very enjoyable! The transportation was convenient, and above all, I was very happy to be able to use the Japanese I had been studying all my life to talk with people from all walks of life.
On top of the foreigners I befriended, the local Japanese people I met in Kansai were all friendly, easy-going, hard-working, and kind. When I got lost in Japan, strangers kindly showed me the way. I was also impressed by the strictness of the Japanese entrance examination system and the diligent attitude toward study that I learned from my Japanese friends at Kyoto University. Knowing the kindness and diligence of the Japanese people made me want to work harder myself.
FAST OFFER International Bridged Me To My Goal
This experience made me want to live and work in Japan as a Myanmar talent. It was at this time that I was fortunate enough to come across FAST OFFER International. I thought, “I have to join this program!”
Soon after registering, I was selected for an interview for a humanities career-track position with a Japanese company. From there, I researched the company from their website and watched YouTube and other sites for tips on Japanese employment interview tests. I thought about and prepared for the expected questions in my own way, and did my best to prepare for the interview. All of my friends were busy, and I did all the interview preparation by myself. Thankfully, doing my best paid off and I got a job offer! It was so rewarding after all the difficulties I’d gone through.
From Studying Abroad in Japan to Living and Working in Japan
I am now looking forward to joining a Japanese company and working on my visa procedures. I cannot wait to be reunited with my friends from the study abroad program! It won’t just be me this time. I’ve got more friends here in Myanmar also on the way to work in Japan!
