Well, I'd written an entire blog earlier, but my phone and Internet conspired against me and this website basically deleted what I'd written. I'll attempt to remember everything is written about.
Let's see...First I think was that even though my flight is Sunday afternoon, but I live so far away that we're leaving tomorrow and will stay the night at our grandparents house so that the ride to Detroit won't be as long. Plus, I'm going to have a whole entourage of family to send me off. Always nice to have my family along with me! Although, this means there's going to be even more crying and stuff, but still.
I think the next thing was that somehow I only realized a couple days ago that I need my bags marked with my name and things, and though my actual piece of luggage has a little slip with a card in it, but I'm afraid it would fall out. So I added name tag things to my list, but then my always helpful family--rather, my aunt--ended up getting me a couple of MSU luggage name tag things! So now I just need to make sure they're marked inside as well, but I think I can probably just tape or something a note card inside somewhere. I'm not sure what I need to write as my address, though, but I can update on that later.
The next thing is that in the email I got recently, they did say one of the things I need for the first night is a raincoat. I bought a cheap, clear one that will at least get me through the first bit before I can hopefully buy one in Japan. But then, my family is again coming through for me and are going to try and find one before we see them tomorrow. Seriously, what would I do without my family? They're always a huge help.
Next: the hardest decision I'll probably ever have to make...Which two or three books will I take with me, which will be the only books I'll have for eight months? Seriously, though, for a bookworm like me, it's a very difficult decision.
Now for a new development. I think each year JCMU must create a new Facebook group for semester/academic year students, which I highly recommend joining so you can get to know your classmates and get information. Anyway, some students are already there, and one was saying that his Visa card wasn't working at any ATMs, but just said that it works at Citibank, so I'm a bit concerned. My card is also local, but it's a MasterCard, so here's hoping. And worse comes to worse, I could always do money orders through the post office, or even open an account there, though I'd rather not have to.
Now I can't remember what else I'd discussed earlier when my post was deleted.
Ah, right! I'm bringing my laptop as well as the first Japanese textbook and copies of pages from the first two lessons in the second textbook, though it'll make my backpack really heavy. I wouldn't bring my laptop since they do have a computer lab, but I'd rather be where I want when I have to write the many papers I know I'll have for my elective class. And I'm brining that textbook so I can study before the placement test.
Speaking of the elective class, I read what people have written (and it may be a bit obvious), saying to try to take an elective that's in one of the neighboring universities. It's a good way to meet Japanese students and make more friends for one thing. Maybe then it'd be easier finding a club to join.
Another thing is that I was finally looking at the schedule fr the first couple of days. So Monday night we arrive and move in. Tuesday is orientation and a city tour, and Wednesday is the placement test. Thursday classes start, but my elective class starts in October. I'm kinda glad it starts later, so maybe I'll be more comfortable finding my way there. Especially since I'm directionally challenged.
Well, I think that was it. I'll edit later if I remember something. Which is likely, since I feel like I forgot something. I guess maybe how I might be able to meet with some fellow students at the airport, who are going on the same recommended flight. Which I recommend, to make life easier. Though people always say--and some of the students already there have said, too--that people are very helpful and it's not too difficult to get there anyway. Still, if you're like me, I recommend the recommended flight, or at least to meet the escorts. Well, for now, I'm off.
Let's see...First I think was that even though my flight is Sunday afternoon, but I live so far away that we're leaving tomorrow and will stay the night at our grandparents house so that the ride to Detroit won't be as long. Plus, I'm going to have a whole entourage of family to send me off. Always nice to have my family along with me! Although, this means there's going to be even more crying and stuff, but still.
I think the next thing was that somehow I only realized a couple days ago that I need my bags marked with my name and things, and though my actual piece of luggage has a little slip with a card in it, but I'm afraid it would fall out. So I added name tag things to my list, but then my always helpful family--rather, my aunt--ended up getting me a couple of MSU luggage name tag things! So now I just need to make sure they're marked inside as well, but I think I can probably just tape or something a note card inside somewhere. I'm not sure what I need to write as my address, though, but I can update on that later.
The next thing is that in the email I got recently, they did say one of the things I need for the first night is a raincoat. I bought a cheap, clear one that will at least get me through the first bit before I can hopefully buy one in Japan. But then, my family is again coming through for me and are going to try and find one before we see them tomorrow. Seriously, what would I do without my family? They're always a huge help.
Next: the hardest decision I'll probably ever have to make...Which two or three books will I take with me, which will be the only books I'll have for eight months? Seriously, though, for a bookworm like me, it's a very difficult decision.
Now for a new development. I think each year JCMU must create a new Facebook group for semester/academic year students, which I highly recommend joining so you can get to know your classmates and get information. Anyway, some students are already there, and one was saying that his Visa card wasn't working at any ATMs, but just said that it works at Citibank, so I'm a bit concerned. My card is also local, but it's a MasterCard, so here's hoping. And worse comes to worse, I could always do money orders through the post office, or even open an account there, though I'd rather not have to.
Now I can't remember what else I'd discussed earlier when my post was deleted.
Ah, right! I'm bringing my laptop as well as the first Japanese textbook and copies of pages from the first two lessons in the second textbook, though it'll make my backpack really heavy. I wouldn't bring my laptop since they do have a computer lab, but I'd rather be where I want when I have to write the many papers I know I'll have for my elective class. And I'm brining that textbook so I can study before the placement test.
Speaking of the elective class, I read what people have written (and it may be a bit obvious), saying to try to take an elective that's in one of the neighboring universities. It's a good way to meet Japanese students and make more friends for one thing. Maybe then it'd be easier finding a club to join.
Another thing is that I was finally looking at the schedule fr the first couple of days. So Monday night we arrive and move in. Tuesday is orientation and a city tour, and Wednesday is the placement test. Thursday classes start, but my elective class starts in October. I'm kinda glad it starts later, so maybe I'll be more comfortable finding my way there. Especially since I'm directionally challenged.
Well, I think that was it. I'll edit later if I remember something. Which is likely, since I feel like I forgot something. I guess maybe how I might be able to meet with some fellow students at the airport, who are going on the same recommended flight. Which I recommend, to make life easier. Though people always say--and some of the students already there have said, too--that people are very helpful and it's not too difficult to get there anyway. Still, if you're like me, I recommend the recommended flight, or at least to meet the escorts. Well, for now, I'm off.