Chia-An Li

STUDENT INTERVIEW: Chia-An Li (SILAC)

(Interview by Shin Yeo, translated from Chinese)

Shin: Konnichiwa. Can I interview you for the coming newsletter?
Li: Sure.
Shin: Should I come later, since it is your lunch break now?
Li: No worries, we can do it now.

S: Thanks. So, how long have you been in Japan?
L: In Okazaki, for about 2 weeks. Before I came here after travelling to Okinawa and then up to Sendai, doing some sightseeing before my course began.
S: How did you find Okinawa and Sendai?
L: Okinawa is actually very similar to Taiwan. People there are more carefree and the pace of living is not that fast.
S: And how do you find Okazaki?
L: Compared to Okinawa and Sendai, I think Okazaki is a busy city.

S: How did you get to know Yamasa?
L: I found it on the internet when I was doing some searching...
S: And which program are you enrolled in now?
L: I'm in SILAC.
S: Why did you choose SILAC?
L: I choose SILAC mainly because of the flexible length of study available and the intensity it offered.
S: How long will you be here?
L: Only 4 weeks unfortunately, because I have to go back to to do my university studies.

S: I see. Why did you study Japanese?
L: I like Japanese culture, especially J-pop and also, I think it is important to be able to communicate with some of my Japanese friends in their language.
S: I see, J-pop... Any group/person in particular?
L: I like Domouto Tsuyoshi...
S: Oh really.. the guy from Kinki Kids, the first generation of Kindaiichi?
L: Yup, and I like another group called KAT-TUN, they recently debuted with a single and an album.
S: I see.
L: And they are doing a concert tour in various locations.
S: Oh really? Any idea if they are coming to Aichi?
L: Yes, they will be in Nagoya, but the tickets are too expensive for me, so I'm still weighing up whether I should go. Still looking at the ticket prices.
S: Good luck and hope you can get a ticket.
L: Thanks.

S: Had you studied Japanese before you came to Japan?
L: Yes, a little. I knew Hiragana and Katakana, but couldn't speak Japanese much at all.
S: And where are you staying?
L: Oh, I'm doing a homestay.
S: Homestay? And you can't speak much Japanese?
L: Yes, but the host family has been very patient and they try explain things to me slowly. We have to act and mime a fair bit too.
S: Is it difficult for you?
L: Actually not, I think it has been a great experience. And my Oka-san (mother of host family) says I have improved a lot. I can communicate with them in simple sentences now.
S: That's good. And you have been studying for...?
L: 2 weeks now. I can already see my improvement, especially in my speaking and listening skills. Its feels great when I'm praised by the host family. Now I have the confidence to speak to them and am getting the message across. Well, some of the time at least!

S: What is the main difference between living in Japan and in Taiwan?
L: Japanese are very courteous so I have to follow them too.
S: Really? In what way?
L: For example, they greet each other before going out and returning home and also before and after meals.
S: True.
L: They also greet each other very often and bow to each other. Its funny sometimes. If I'm not looking where I'm going and accidently bump into someone they will keep saying 'sumimasen' (sorry) to me.
S: Yes. I notice this too. Any other things?
L: Japanese walk a lot.
S: Oh...
L: Yup, when I was in Okinawa and Sendai walking about 30-45 minutes to the station is quite common and they would say that that's near the station. In Taiwan, most people will use a motorscooter if the walking distance is 30-45 minutes.
S: I see. Do you have to travel from your host family place to campus?
L: Yes, I need to take a train. My host family lives in Kanayama, very close to Nagoya.

S: How long does it take to commute from there to Yamasa by train?
L: About 25 minutes on the train. But I have to walk about 15-20 minutes.
S: Well, it is not too far when we apply the Japanese concept of walking?
L: Yes (laughing)
S: How much does the train fare cost?
L: 600 yen.
S: One way?
L: Yes. One way.
S: Do you think it is expensive?
L: I think it is average and its nice being close to Nagoya. I can see a lot things from the train and when I walk home.
S: Is it troublesome to travel to and from the campus everyday?
L: Not at all. In fact, I kind of enjoy it, especially the rush hour in the morning.
S: Ha ha, so you have to take a train that is packed like sardines everyday?
L: Yup, but only in the morning. I avoid the rush hour as classes end at 2.30pm. And I like to observe the crowd.
S: For example?
L: High school students with fancy hairstyles...
S: What about the fashions?
L: I think people in Aichi are very well-dressed. Very fashion conscious.
S: I see, and do you envy any of your classmates who don't need to travel since they live in the student accommodation near the campus?
L: No. I like being with my host family as I feel the responsibility for being a family member, letting them know where I am, what time I will be back and making sure I do my homework etc. I might not be so disciplined if I lived in student housing on my own.
S: True, it takes self-discipline to study the language...
L: My Oka-san also helps by checking my homework everyday.
S: Really? So you have to do your homework properly...
L: Yup, that's good for me too...

S: So what have you done on the weekends so far?
L: I spent most of my time with my host family, doing things like shopping. And we visited some Shinto shrines.
S: Which ones have you visited?
L: Atsuta Jingu and some smaller ones that I can't remember..
S: Atsuta Jingu is pretty famous. So the whole family went together?
L: Yes.
S: Who are the other family members besides Oka-san?
L: Oto-san (father)and 2 young children, 7 and 11 years old.
S: So is it more difficult to speak to children?
L: Not really, they can understand my 'simple' Japanese. Both of them are so adorable. Usually they eat a catered lunch at school but because they are doing activites during the holidays my Oka-san is making bento for them. Before they leave they see what the lunch box will be, so we have a look together because my Oka-san prepares one for me too. Its fun.
S: So you get to eat a homemade bento (lunch box) each day.
L: Yes, just started from this week. Before that I bought something from Seiyu or Kitsutsuki.
S: I see, not as tasty as a homemade bento I guess.
L: Of course.
S: I guess I shouldn't take up more time and let you enjoy the bento. Is there anything you would to say to future students?
L: Yes. If you want to learn the language, you will need to learn the culture too and doing a homestay is a wonderful experience.
S: Thank you and enjoy your bento!
L: Bye!

Return to top of page