Undergraduate / It all started with a workbook my mom ordered for me - My interest in Japanese language and culture [5]

This essay for the Common App describes how I became interested in the Japanese language. The word limit is 250-650 words, but I believe this essay is about 570 words long. Feel free to give advice or make suggestions!

Prompt: Some students have a background, identity, interest, or talent that is so meaningful they believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, then please share your story. (I chose to write about my Japanese interest)

It all started with a workbook my mom ordered for me on Amazon. When I told her I wanted to learn Japanese, and she bought me a self-teaching workbook so I could do just that. When I unwrapped the box and saw the title, "Genki I", I was thrilled and couldn't wait to begin. Each afternoon when I got home from school, I'd work through a page or two of the book and felt amazed that what I did felt entirely like fun and not at all like work. This was a new experience for me!

Not long thereafter during my 10th grade Honors English class, a teacher came to the class and discussed summer Governor's school opportunities and the offerings she outlined did not appeal to me. However, on the last page of the packet there was a miniscule section with the title "Language Academies". I requested to see the language packet, and when I saw there was a Governor's Japanese Academy, I was elated. The process was, I was told, competitive and I immediately began working on my application. That spring, I was notified by letter that I'd been selected to attend the Virginia's Japanese Governors' School Language Academy. I was jubilant to know that after all my diligence at self-study I would be be rewarded with real classroom learning, cultural immersion and most importantly, I would meet other students learning Japanese. Heretofore, I was alone in my quest and often felt 'out of the loop' since none of my friends shared my interest. It was a profound relief for me to know that other students who were my age were interested in learning Japanese and I was going to meet them!

The 2014 Governor's Japanese Academy did not disappoint and I met amazing people. I became an active participant with other Virginia high school students, and experienced opportunities that I never would have otherwise. The program allowed me to take the next step of my Japanese journey. My short-range plan during college includes pursuing a Japanese-related activity in college along with my desired science major and perhaps even a study-abroad experience. I am excited to ponder these possibilities.

Rarely have I studied a topic that flows from my ears to my brain to my tongue as easily as the Japanese language. Despite four years of Spanish (which I have enjoyed and excelled at) these four years that I have committed to self-studying Japanese no only fulfills a lifelong interest, but seems to enhance my self-discovery. At times of stress or difficulty, my self-motivated study of Japanese has even provided solace and respite from the occasional irritants we all endure from time to time. I would not be exaggerating to say that there were moments when study of this language and culture has been my 'escape' just as a cross-country runner escapes into the solitude of the course. Having done both - I relish these moments of inner peace, and sometimes an escape from the world. Being self-motivated to continue this pursuit and eager to acquire further knowledge as a Japanese speaker, I want to consume more of it. I want to read Lady Murasaki's The Tale of Genji in its original vernacular, to watch my favorite Japanese films without the subtitles, to sing every Japanese refrain with fluid understanding of what the melody means, and to one day fulfill my dream of visiting and perhaps even working in Japan.

Undergraduate / "Shall we Dance" - a Japanese movie. UVA College of Arts and Sciences Essay [6]

I've been working on this essay and editing for a while now, and I thought I'd post on EssayForum. It's the essay for UVA's College of Arts and Sciences, and it has to be about 250 words. It's over 250 words by 40 words or so, so any advice on how to condense is appreciated (along with other suggestions)!

Prompt: College of Arts and Sciences: What work of art, music, science, mathematics, or literature has surprised, unsettled, or challenged you, and in what way?

(I chose a Japanese foreign film, Shall we Dance, as my work of art)

On a brisk autumn day, my family and I visited my first-year brother Tim for Parent's Weekend at the University of Virginia. I was especially excited about meeting with Professors Eric Maceyko and the Japanese Department Head, Michiko Wilson, to discuss my short-range plan to attend U.Va. and study Japanese. Living on Virginia's Eastern Shore, I felt somewhat limited in conversational skills, as the opportunities for these were scarce. Professor Wilson then recommended that I watch one of her favorite Japanese movies, Shall we Dance. The movie tells the story of the seemingly dull life of Japanese 'salary man', Shohei Sugiyama. We watch him leave his office each night and ride the train with legions of others like him who seem to move and behave without joy or impulse. One evening, we observe Sugiyama looking out the train window at an elegant lady in the window of a dancing studio. He seems transfixed on her image and impulsively leaves the train to venture forth, finding himself standing outside the studio. At first, he only wants to meet the woman in the window, but throughout the movie he discovers how much he truly enjoys dancing and ultimately, dancing changes his life for the better.

I was surprised and unsettled at how similar Sugiyama's discovery of dancing was to my own discovery of Japanese. At first, I only wanted to learn Japanese because of pop culture such as anime and manga. However, I have grown to understand more about myself and have met such wonderful people by pursing my newfound passion! When I look back upon how far I've come with Japanese and how much more I have to learn (hopefully in the U.Va. Japanese program) I'm amazed at how much I've grown as a person.