STUDENT INTERVIEW: Jostein Edvardsen (SILAC)

Jostein Edvardsen

I managed to catch Jostein after lessons during his first full week in the SILAC program.

Jon: How's the course going so far?
Jostein: I had to learn hiragana and katakana on the first weekend so.......
Jon:.......the pace of the course is fairly quick?
Jos: Yes, but not more than I can handle. It is an intensive course so I have to expect it.

Jon: Why are you studying Japanese?
Jos: I have an interest in Asian culture, the mix between Western and Asian cultures, for example Hong Kong, Singapore etc. Also as an architectural student Tokyo is one of the most interesting 'urban laboratories' in the world and an interest to Western architects.

Jon: Had you studied any Japanese before you came to Japan?
Jos: No. there are Japanese courses in Norway but I was too late to sign for the programs in Trondheim. I knew konnichwa and that was about it.

Jon: How did you find out about Yamasa?
Jos: A student from Norway University of Science and Techology recommended Yamasa to me. He had also studied here previously.

Jon: Is this your first time in Japan?
Jos: Yep.
Jon: First impressions?
Jos: I love it! As long as you know the social dos and don't s here you should get along fine. I have found it fairly easy to adjust to life here.

Jon: Did you have any preconceptions about Japan before you arrived that have been reinforced?
Jos: Shibuya in Tokyo, with all the gadgets and huge screens, that image that I had before I arrived has been reinforced. But I haven't been here that long so I haven't had any illusions shattered yet!

Jon: How are you finding the accommodation?
Jos: It's good.
Jon: You're in the Student Village correct?
Jos: That's right. I have a single room and it's nice to have the privacy of that but also be able to meet people in the communal kitchen or lounge if you want to socialize. The only bad thing is that I am speaking more German than Japanese at the moment because I have already met a few Germans living at the Student Village. The Mini Stop (convenience store) directly outside the Village is really useful.

Jon: What do you think of Okazaki as a city?
Jos: I've been to a few temples and shrines but not to the castle or downtown area yet.
Jon: Do you plan to visit any of the major towns or cities whilst you are here?
Jos: I plan to go to Osaka, Kyoto, Hiroshima and other places when I get the time.

Jon: Coming from Norway, have you got used to the weather and the temperature difference?
Jos: I live in the northern part of Norway and it was 8 degrees Celcius when I left. The first few days in Tokyo before I came to Okazaki were fairly hot! But I think I've pretty much become acclimatized to it now.
Jon: What were you doing in Tokyo?
Jos: I was with arranging various things with the University of Tokyo - I will be a foreign research student at their graduate school of engineering (department of Architecture) when I finish my course at Yamasa.
Jon: How long will you be studying there for?
Jos: A year at first and then maybe work for a year in Japan, perhaps for a foreign architectural firm based in Tokyo if possible. I think I will need more time to get my Japanese up to a level that I can work for a Japanese company.

Jon: Any message or advice for students coming to Yamasa in the future?
Jos: Yes. Learn hiragana and katakana before you arrive, because you'll save yourself a lot of trouble.

Jon: Well, thank you for your time and good luck with the rest of the program.
Jos: Thanks.