Linguistics Nerd About to Live the Dream! Preparations, etc...

Hey, guys!

My name is Valerie Gregorash, and this academic year (2014-2015) I will be studying at Nanzan Univerisity (南山大学) in Nagoya, Japan. While there, I will stay with a host family.  I'm so excited!!

Since nothing interesting (at least to you guys) has happened yet, I'll keep this first post brief.

I'm starting this blog in order to:

• keep my friends and family updated while I'm away from home,
• give people who are thinking about studying abroad, in Japan or anywhere else, an idea of what it's like,
• and to make observations about Japanese language, culture, food, etc.

With that last point, it is important that I add a disclaimer: I am no expert on Japanese language or culture, and other people's experiences may be different or even contradictory. I will do my best to learn what I can and to provide accurate information. These will be my experiences and my opinions. If you have had similar or different experiences in Japan or anywhere else abroad, I'd love to hear about them!

I plan to leave from O'Hare International Airport in Chicago around September 1st, and end up in Nagoya the next day.  Until then, I've been working part time at Dunkin' Donuts to earn money for my plane ticket, and I've been studying every day in order to place well on my placement exam on Sept. 4th. 

Oh, and did I mention that I will be traveling with my college roommate and one of my best friends, Chelsea N.?  I'm sure that she'll make many appearances in photos, posts, etc. 

There's not much to do but wait, and I'm counting down the days (73 left!). 

I hope that you find my blog entertaining, and that it encourages you to study abroad or visit Japan! 

My friend Taylor Reutman is blogging about his experience this year in Freiburg, Germany. Please check out his blog at tayloringermany.blogspot.com.

こんにちは！

私はバレリー　グレゴラシュと申します。アメリカ人です。インヂアナ大学の三年生です。今年、二学期南山大学で留学します。ホストファミリーと住むつもりです。楽しみにしています！

今、日本語はちょっと書きにくいんですから、まちがえたら、なおしてください。色々な漢字も読み方がわかりません。答える時、むずかしことばをひらがなで書いて下さい。

ひこうきの切符を買うために、今アルバイトをします。七月一日ごろ名古屋に行くつもりです。

私のブログを読んでくれて、ありがとうございます。