Saturday, April 26, 2014

Fall Semester Registration is underway!

There will be a new format introduced to Japanese 1101 for the first time!

1101 morning classes used to be held daily 4 days a week (Mon-Thu). 
This particular daily format will be gone thiis upcoming Fall semester.

ALL Japanese 1101 classes will be 2days a week format, which, I know, is quite a challenge.

So Japanese language classes in Fall are:

Japanese 1101 (First semester)
Mon and Wed    10am-11:50am, and 5:00pm-6:50pm
Tue and Thu     10am-11:50am, and 7:00pm-8:50pm

Japanese 1102 (Second semester)
Mon and Wed     1pm-2:50pm

Japanese 2201 (Third semester)
Mon and Wed    7pm-8:50pm

Besides these language classes, GTS will offer Japanese Culture and Civilization class
for the first time in Fall daytime.

Japanese 1100
Tuesday  12:00noon-2:50pm

Hope many can come.

Oh, yes, Spring Break Japan Field Trip 2015 and Summer Study Abroad Japan 2015 are, of course coming up!



Almost the end of the Academic year!

May is just around the corner and GTS is getting busier for concluding the semester as well as preparing the Study Abroad Orientation and monitoring the enrollment for upcoming Fall semester!

This semester has been the great semester as one interesting study group was created within the Japanese 1101 class and they are collaboratively making an effort to overcome hardships!

1101 this semester began with 50 students and about a half of them seems to pass the class.
Hopefully over a dozen students continue to study at Japanese 1102 in Fall, which is likely.

2 students of 2201 will pass the class with the decent grade and about 10 students will pass 2202, which is the 4th semester.

Though 1102 night class has only 5,6 students, I am hoping that with some dozen students in the morning class 2201 class in Fall will be a good class!


Saturday, April 5, 2014

Playing with Deer in Nara on the last full day

Final day of the program was to visit to Nara to greet the Giant Buddha statue in the World Largest Wooden Structure.

We walk from the Great Buddha Hall through the April Hall, Tamukeyama Hachimangu Shrine, Mt. Wakakusayama, to Kasuga Grand Shrine where we could observe many families bringing their new born babies to be blessed!

After having lunch, on the way back to the Hotel, we stopped at the Kyoto Station where we can see the entire Kyoto City from the rooftop Garden called Happy Terrace.

The trip was almost concluded with the best timing and best weather!

Now we are heading back to Chicago, through Osaka and Tokyo with All Nippon Airways!

Friday, April 4, 2014

Whiskey, Ramen and Castle!

Under a bit cold and windy weather, we visited Suntory Yamazaki Distillery which began operating in 1923.  Recently Suntory bought Makers Mark in Kentucky.  We learned a lot about Japanese Whiskey. 

From the Distillery, we were headed to the Instant Ramen Museum where everyone had a chance to create his or her own cup noodles!

Under the full bloom of Cherry Blossoms, our group reached to the magnificent Osaka Castle to experience being in the warring states period of Japan.

Thursday, April 3, 2014

Superb weather for Cherry Blossoms!

Under the ideal weather, we visited Daikakuji temple where everyone tried writing Buddhist scripture, Han'nnya Shingyo using brush.

Cherry Blossoms in its beautiful garden are in full bloom and we encountered some sort of movie shooting.

From the mountain garden of Tenryuji temple, we saw clearly the easy part of Japan.

Wednesday, April 2, 2014

Official Announcement of Cherry in Full Bloom!

The weather report agency declared the full bloom of Sakura in Kyoto.  In order to take advantage of this best timing, we first visited Eikando-Zenrinji Temple from which we were headed to Naykuoji Shrine, the starting point of the Philosopher's Trail.

All the cherry blossoms along the Philosopher's trail were in full bloom, which led us to the
Ginkakuji, The Silver Pavilion. from which all the city from the east end was visible.

After lunch, everyone enjoyed the shopping at Kyoto Handicraft Center before the final stop at Sanjusangen-do where 1221 statues of Buddha of Mercy (Kannon) greeted everyone.

At night in Gion, we had a chance of tasting some Japanese Traditional Performance including Tea, Gagaku, Kyogen, Bunraku, and so on.

Another perfect day!

Tuesday, April 1, 2014

The Golden Pavilion and the Rock Garden rock us!

Much warmer day let us visit the Golden Pavilion and the Rock Garden before lunch at Ritsumeikan University where the 2014-2015 Entrance Ceremony was held.

So many freshmen walk around campus to show their energy and hope.

Near the University is the Hirano Shrine where the Sakura viewing festival was going on with lots of tourists.

After walking through the Kitano Tenmangu Shrinem we got to the Nishijin Textile Center where we can enjoy the Kimono show and some authentic shopping!

The group dinner was at the local tavern where GTS invited several local friend teachers!

It was the perfect day!