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STUDENT INTERVIEW: Kornelis-Jan Woltjer (AIJP)

Kornelis-Jan Woltjer

Kornelis-Jan has been studying at Yamasa since October 2001 in the AIJP program and I didn't have to go far to track him down as he is currently working in the International Office.

Jon: Can I disturb from your translation work for a minute for a quick interview?
Kornelis-Jan: Yeh, sure!

J: What course are you studying on?
K: AIJP.
J: How has it been?
K: Pretty good. The class is fun but sometimes it can be a bit tiring.

J: Did you study any Japanese before you came to Japan?
K: Absolutely nothing!
J: Did you find it difficult at first, not knowing any Japanese?
K: From absolute beginner it wasn't a big problem because I've learnt other languages before but I was surprised how different Japanese is from Germanic languages.

J: How are the teaching staff?
K: Very hard working. For example, you do your homework assignment, hand it in and you get it back the next day - the teachers are very efficient.

J: Are you staying in Yamasa's accommodation?
K: Yes, in Residence K. It was a bit of a shock, seeing it for the first time. I'd seen the pictures on the homepage of Residence K but it's much smaller than what I'm used to back in Holland. I've got used to it now though.

J: So how did you find out about Yamasa?
K: Through the homepage - like many of the students I think.

J: And what made you choose Yamasa over other schools in Japan?
K: Because of the amount of information on the homepage - all the information you need is there, and also because it was close to a city called Hamamatsu.

J: What were you doing before you came to Japan?
K: I worked for the Dutch navy.

J: And why did you decide to come to Japan and study Japanese?
K: The main reason is because when I went to Yamaha in Hamamatsu for an internship 2 years ago I met someone and decided to come back. I would also like to get a job over here.
J: What kind of job are you looking for?
K: Anything right now, maybe something in engineering if possibe.

J: Have you found it difficult to find a job?
K: I haven't sent out many applications but I'm looking for work as an English teacher, or at Yamasa, anything really.

J: Has anything surprised you about Japan during your time here?
K: As I'd already been to Japan before I came over in October last year there's nothing that really comes to mind. I seem to remember the first time I came to Japan I thought that it was very different from the books, magazines and travel guides that you see with pictures of gardens and temples.

J: What do you think of Okazaki?
K: I don't really know Okazaki very well.
J: Why?
K: I live at my apartment in Residence K from Monday to Friday and then I spend the weekends in Hamamatsu.
J: What is Hamamatsu like?
K: Cool city, there's lots of good restaurants and night spots. I go to a club called Amigos regularly - it has a good mix of people.

J: Do you have any advice for long term students coming to Japan?
K: Study hiragana and katakana before you arrive and bring a lot of money because you won't be able to use your credit card at many places.

J: Is there anything that you would like to see more of, any improvements that could be made?
K: I would like to see a party once a month, so that the students can get to know each other better. Internet access in the Residences and Villa studio apartments would be nice as well...for free of course!!
J: I'll get on to Declan about all that........thanks for the interview.
K: No problem!