Undergraduate / NUS Discretionary Admission Essay -Japanese Language [7]

Prompt: This section is an opportunity for you to elaborate on the information you have provided earlier. You may discuss a special talent, a personal experience or an activity that you have been involved in that is relevant to the course you are applying for admission.

The deadline is looming so I need urgent help. Have to keep within 2000 characters. I would appreciate any editing or criticism. Thank you!!

I have always had a keen interest in the Japanese culture. When presented with the opportunity to learn the language in secondary school, I leapt at the chance. I love languages and it was a wonderful way to better understand and appreciate the nuances of the language, which would enable me to gain a comprehensive insight into their culture and lifestyle.

While learning the language, I took part in various exchange programs. In 2008, I participated in the Waseda-SILS Fall Program in Japan. I was thoroughly immersed in the Japanese lifestyle as I interacted with native students, attended lectures and even went shopping with them. Beyond the fleeting fascination with Japanese pop culture, I was particularly impressed by the impeccable service and graciousness of the Japanese people. It piqued my interest and motivated me to find out more about what made a gracious civil society and the impact of society on the individual and vice versa.

I also participated in a local immersion program at the Waseda Shibuya High School. This experience gave me a refreshing perspective on the Japanese culture as it was a cultural exchange in a local setting. I learnt how the Japanese students were adapting to life in Singapore; how certain practices that have faded into familiarity were in fact new and interesting to them. I realized how similar we could be in our values and traditions despite our differences. With a rich amalgamation of cultures in Singapore, building bridges of understanding and communication across the cultures is essential to discover our differences and commonalities.

Therefore, I believe the Japanese Studies and Sociology courses offered at FASS in NUS are exciting and comprehensive. With its unique emphasis on breadth and depth of learning, a holistic liberal arts education at NUS would not only deepen my interest in this area but also provide me with an incomparable edge in my future career.