When I arrived, with two years of Japanese under my belt (though admittedly a little less than two years in my head), the first skill I learned was to become comfortable with not understanding everything. In the following weeks I grew able to use Japanese as if I were writing with my non-dominant hand. I can communicate effectively but it will still be a while before my language skills are anything near pretty. One of my favorite parts of the program was that being surrounded by Japanese native speakers forced me to explain myself even when my vocabulary was nowhere near sufficient. Instead, I learned to tell stories and talk about specific ideas in a very roundabout way. In my communications with my host family I went from barely being able to describe my day to being able to tell short situational jokes and discuss more abstract subjects.
The time I spent in Hakodate were some of my longest days and shortest months. Each day presented its difficulties and challenges but it was the friends I made and the adventures we went on which I remember most vividly. HIF took us to visit high schools and the mayor’s office, try out traditional arts, and even participate in local events like a radio show. With my closest friends I also explored parks, karaoke bars, onsen, and parades together. I tried foods like squid-ink ice cream and even raw squid itself. Although we spent most of our time in Hakodate we had short breaks in between each four-week semester when we were able to visit Sapporo as well. By the end of the program I felt at once ready to go home and ready to explore the rest of Japan.
In summary, I highly recommend this program to those seeking an intensive language program focused on one’s host family and the surrounding community. My experience has made me want to go back and discover more of Japan.
