The End of my Year Studying in Japan Pt. 2: Final Speech

Grace Gettig dressed and ready to give her final speech in Japan
Posted by Grace Gettig on

Grace Gettig

Daito Bunka University, Japan

 At the end of the exchange program at Daito Bunka University, all of the students that are leaving that semester are required to give a speech in Japanese. I was terrified to do so, but I gave it my all.

The speech is basically a way for all of the students to show off what they learned. Even students that didn’t study Japanese before coming to Japan, they were able to simple yet very sweet speeches.

 

Getting Ready
9AM on the day of the speech, I met my boyfriend and his mom at my train station. I was nervous as all get out. My boyfriend’s mom graciously agreed to help me put on my kimono that I really wanted to wear for my speech, but I haven’t talked to her that much, and she doesn’t speak English. Everything went well though!


The kimono I wore is in the Hakama-style, popular in Japan for graduations. As this was kind of my graduation from my exchange program, I thought it’d be neat to wear it. The colorful part is the kimono, and the hakama are the blue pant/skirt.


My boyfriend’s mom was also so kind as to make me a fan and headband to match my kimono. They’re both so pretty! The fan is hand-painted in the style that she makes various items with and sells in her online store. I was honored that she would make and give them to me!


Speech Time

Watch My speech

 Transcript

こんにちは、皆さん。私はグレースと申します。アメリカのウエスタンミシガン大学から来ました。去年の8月から日本にいます。今日は私が日本へ来るまでの話を紹介したいと思います。子どもの時から、大学に入りたかったです。私と兄弟はホームスクールでした。ホームスクールというのは家で両親が子どもに教えることです。私は、普通の学校に行きませんでした。

Hello, everyone. My name is Grace. I am here from Western Michigan University in America. I’ve been in Japan since last August. Today, I was to share with you my story of before I came to Japan. Ever since I was a little kid, I wanted to go to university. My siblings and I were homeschooled. Homeschooling is when the parents teach the kids at home. I did not go to a regular school.

 

子どものときから、外国語を学びたいと思っていました。英語以外の言語で伝えるのは楽しいと思っていました。スペイン語やフランス語、ドイツ語、中国語にちょうせんしましたが、できませんでした。全然わかりませんでした。それで、日本語を勉強してみました。母が『げんき』という日本語の教科書を買ってくれました。その教科書を使ったら、自分であいさつができました。日本語は難しいと聞いたことがありますが、それほど難しくなかったので続けていました。一週間でひらがなとカタカナを覚えました。日本語は少しりかいできたので、おもしろくなりました。そして、日本の文化や歴史を知りたくなりました。私の町にある図書館に行って、日本についての本を全部借りました。

Since I was little, I wanted to learn a foreign language. I thought communicating with people in languages other than English sounded fun. I tried Spanish, French, German, and even Chinese, but I couldn’t understand any of them. And so, I tried Japanese. My mom bought me the “Genki” Japanese textbook. By using that textbook, I was able to learn basic greetings. I heard that Japanese was very difficult, but since it wasn’t as bad as I had heard, I continued. In one week, I memorized hiragana and katakana. Since I could kind of start to understand Japanese, it became very interesting. After that, I wanted to start learning about Japanese history and culture. I went to my local library and checked out all of the books about Japan.

 

大学に入る前、自分で日本語を勉強していましたが、大学に入って、日本語の授業を取りました。四つ取りました。そして、日本に留学に来ました。

Before entering university, I studied Japanese on my own, but after entering I was able to take Japanese classes. I took 4 classes. And then, I came to Japan for study abroad.

 

日本に来たばかりの時、日本語をあまり話せませんでした。日本の生活はアメリカで聞いたことと全然違います。しかし、今まで日本で色々な経験をしたので日本語を話せるようになりました。最初はレストランで注文できませんでした。友達がいるときは、友達が注文をたのんでいました。今は自分でできるようになりました。最近、英語をあまり使わなかった日がありました。できるだけ彼氏と日本語でメールをしています。まだペラペラではありませんが、10ヶ月前より上手になったと思います。私の将来のために勉強し続けることにしています。

Right after arriving in Japan, I could barely speak. Japanese life is way different than I had heard in America. But, because of the various experiences I’ve had until now in Japan, I’ve become able to speak. In the beginning, I couldn’t order food at a restaurant. When I would go out to eat with friends, I would ask them to order for me. I’ve now become able to order on my own. Lately, I’ve had some days where I barely used English at all. I try to text by boyfriend in Japanese as much as possible. I’m not yet fluent, but my language abilities are better than they were 10 months ago. I’m going to continue studying Japanese for my future.

 

日本に来る前に、そふぼと両親がおうえんしてくれました。大変なときでも私を信じてくれました。家族がいなかったら、日本へ来る夢を叶えられなかったと思います。

Before coming to Japan, my grandparents and my parents kindly supported me. Even in tough times, they believed in me. If I didn’t have my family, I don’t think my dream of coming to Japan would have come true.

 

最後に友達、彼氏、彼氏のお母さん、先生たち、国際交流センターの方、みなさんどうもありがとうございました。みなさんがおうえんしてくださったおかげで、留学中に色々な経験をできました。本当にありがとうございました。

Lastly, friends, boyfriend, boyfriend’s mom, teachers, International Center staff, everyone, thank you all so much. Thanks to everyone’s support, I could have many experiences during my study abroad. Truly, thank you so much.

I’m terrified of public speaking, along with my fear of messing up in a foreign language, plus having my friends and teachers come and watch, this speech really pushed me outside my comfort zone. I’m glad though. Those kinds of experiences have helped me grow as a person.

 

Categories: Personal Growth, Japanese language, Japan, Year Abroad, Final Project, Classwork,