I should have come here 5 years ago


Caroline
Australia

I came to Japan 5 years ago because my husband was relocated here, so I had no idea about Japan. I was not interested in culture, so my idea about Japan came up with cars and electronic stuffs. Even after I started living here, I did not try to learn very hard, therefore I was not able to speak proper Japanese for a long time.

Then after 3 years have passed, I suddenly had to study Japanese. Once I started learning I was able to speak Japanese. Only then did the scenery that I see and everyday life become totally different. Everything becomes very fun. I understood most of what is in the newspaper, the packages of the product I bought from the supermarket, and advertisement in the train. I also understood people's conversations I hear in the city. Once I understand these things, all of the "normal" things that I have just passed by in the past 3 years became such fun to me. I am getting interested in all things in Japan that I see and hear. I also found a job on the condition that I can use Japanese.

However, even if I said my Japanese is good now, it is only what I've learned for two years. I regret that I did not start studying Japanese earlier. I think if I came to ARC to learn Japanese earlier, my Japanese would be better as well. This is because my husband will be relocated again to the US soon. Everyday I think that I want to study, and will definitely continue studying even when I go to the US. I am rather surprised by this thinking as I never thought that I am such an earnest person.