Why Japanese?

Hello everyone,

My name is Kay! I am a freshman at Barnard College of Columbia University who is doing her best to learn Japanese. Since I was young, Japanese culture has fascinated me. For my high school graduation gift, my mom and I went on a trip to Japan. During that trip I realized that I wanted to be able to interact with the culture from a new perspective- I wanted to be able to communicate directly. I already speak Spanish and French, so I thought learning a language like Japanese would present new and exciting challenges. 

After being in Elementary Japanese for a month, I have come to realize Japanese is difficult but rewarding to learn. I have never had any language come easily to me- and working with new systems of writing can be challenging. However, I feel the countless hours I have spent studying pay off when I can finally read that sentence on the board in hiragana. The feeling is exhilarating.  I know I have a long way to go in learning, but I will continue to do my best! 

My mom and I in Japan this past summer!