1997 School Magazine

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<@iris @rnmmnr ~cuool iffilri.slrnne 1997

ANGELA WIT.SON

F rom a Year Eight Japanese course that was her second preference, ) studying Law at a Japanese university, 994 Head Girl Angela Wilson has come long way in her study of the language . Tow she has achieved a goal that she has ,een working towards since she first fell 1 love with the subject seven years ago. Angela arrived in Tokyo in Februa1y ) begin her year in Japan on an A.I.E.J. Association of International Education, apan) Peace and Friendship Scholar- hip . Although she had hoped to go on .n exchange immediately after finishing chool, Angela says she is glad that the :hance did not come until a few years ater. It was definitely beneficial to have tlready studied at university and had a :hance to build her Japanese skills even ·urther before having to fend for herself n such a different environment. Angela is studying at Hitotsubashi Jniversity in Tokyo, a fairly small uni- .tersity of only six or seven thousand

order to deliver an oral presentation to fellow students. In addition to her law subjects, Angela is also taking German, a subject which she took all the way to Year Twelve but was unable to continue. Al- though it has not been easy, an interest in all her subjects has ensured that her studies have been an enjoyable challenge. As well as studying at the university, Angela has also taken up a number of other activities, including part time Eng- lish teaching, translating and interpreting work, becoming a member of the local church and learping to play a traditional Japanese instrument called a Koto. In August, Angela was able to travel to the Mie Prefecture , and visited the family whom she stayed with for six weeks during the BGGS 1993/1994Japan Tour. Meeting up with her host sister (who had also stayed with Angela 's fam- ily in mid 1993) has been one of the "extra special" experiences of the year

Angela (L) and /Jer ·mot/Je1; Mrsjudy Wilson, in kimonos

for Angela. Living in a different count1y, Angela has had to adapt to many cultural differences . But, although the huge city is at times ove1whelming, she is becoming accustomed to the Japanese way of life . During her time at BGGS, Angela showed not only a great talent in her Japanese studies , but also a genuine love for the language and culture of Japan. Her exchange will no doubt continue to provide her with valuable and memorable experi- ences, which she will cherish for many years to come .

;tudents. Here she is studying in the law faculty, majoring in Int ernational Organisations law. Despite Hitotsubashi's rela- ive ly small student population, there are about 200 foreign

EMMA PRIOR

Angela (cen.tre) enjoying life in japan.

ex hange students from more than seventeen different coun- tri es studying at the university. Angela has therefore been given the opportunity not only to experience Japanese culture, but also to learn about many other countries. Studying in Japan has provided Angela with many new xperiences , which have proved to be both interesting and ha llenging. Lectures and exams are all inJapanese, and Angela has also been required to research an aspect of her major in

Angela (R) witb Katberine Henzel/ (EGGS 1993) andJapanese friends at a Hinama.tsu.ri display.

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