

Why did you want to study your CLS target language?
What are your educational and/or professional goals?
How do you plan to use your target language in the future?
My language studies are part of my art practice. The CLS program really opened up a lot of new doors for my in terms of my development as a professional artist
I also hope to explore ways I can study and make art in Japan, alongside teaching
How did participation in the CLS Program affect your life?
What was your favorite part about being in your host country?
What did you learn about your host country that you didn't know before?
Please share a short story about your CLS Program experience.
All I had during both of my summers with CLS were wonderful, enriching experiences, so it is difficult to pick just one.
I would say a particularly eye-opening one was when I decided to use my himetoku points (points we earned for good grades in class and participation in cultural activities) to go on a "shashin-sanpo" ("photo stroll") with my teacher, who also had a lot of interest in photography. I got to walk around with him, take photos, and talk about art and photography with him. None of my language buddies or other Japanese friends had much interest in art, so this was something I didn't get to discuss much with Japanese people. It also led me to realize how little Japanese vocabulary I had to talk about art, causing me to do a lot of reflection, independent research and reading afterwards. It was a short, but very memorable experience, leading to a lot of personal growth for me.
What is your favorite target language word or phrase, and what does it mean in English?
「分からへん」("wakarahen") a frequently used word during the CLS program, Kansai-ben (the dialect of the area of Japan in which we studied) for "I don't understand."
What is a must see or must try in your host city or country?
You've gotta try eating raw horse meat! Where else can you get it?
Also a rotating sushi bar is a must. Even low-brow places, that cost 100 yen ($1) a plate, will allow you to try the best, freshest sushi you've probably ever had in your life!
What advice would you give prospective applicants, participants on the program, and/or recent CLS alumni?
Don't try to plan or anticipate how the trip is going to go before you arrive in your host country. This will only lead you to be frustrated and/or experience more culture shock. Instead, come to pre-departure orientation with an open mind, heart, and as little luggage as humanly possible. Focus on growth and on moving forward. During the program you might not be able to see how much your language abilities are improving, because you're so focused on keeping up with work that it's hard to find time to reflect. But always keep your head up, and you will amaze yourself with how much you grow.
Personal background
April 27, 2015