Need more pictures of you from your exchange student days.
@Ciaela12 жыл бұрын
凄く嬉しい話です。こちらまでも元気がでました。ありがとうございました!
@Ciaela12 жыл бұрын
本当にすばらしいニュースです!頑張ってください!
@bbbmo22311 жыл бұрын
Thanks, Michaela! I'm going to go England's University this fall, and spend over 4 years. Have a nice days in Japan!!
@Ciaela12 жыл бұрын
Desigual is my new favorite brand! I'm glad someone noticed because it's my favorite sweater right now. haha.
@terebiomimasu12 жыл бұрын
1. teasing about raising our hands 2. knows people wanna go on exchanges 3. doesn't like tennis 4. open about feeling helpless in her early Japan years 5. "Nothing worth happening comes without struggle" 6. "In the worst of times you will be the only person who understands you" 7. "I'm not that special...unique" 8. "Argh. I keep hitting this door" Micaela, the teasing-all-knowing-tennis-hating-sensitive-motivating-enlightened-humble-door-hater. Such a wild ride watching your vids. I love it!
@Ciaela12 жыл бұрын
I think, if you are going to a language school, you might as well go somewhere less tourist-friendly, to get the best results in fluency. I know some people who have lived in Tokyo for years but have never quite picked up Japanese, simply because Tokyo is so English-Friendly that they never needed to. Osaka is also pretty touristy too though, and their dialect is really weird and not really used outside of Kansai... I think you'd have fun no matter what you'd choose though!
@ericsurf612 жыл бұрын
I was so waiting for you to flip a table! But Inspirational....Nothing worth happening comes without struggle...I hereby award you role model status. With great powers comes great responsibility~ Nicely done Mikaera!
@DxDutch12 жыл бұрын
Wow, up until you hitting the door, I thought the door was part of the background, as in, it was behind you. anyway, love your hoodie/sweater!! And cool video and info.. I'd always heard of "culture shock" but never really knew what it meant. Thanks for explaining, professor Micaela! :D
@berniewonton187210 жыл бұрын
Oh my gosh! Good words of support! I really want to be an exchange students when I get to Highschool! Thanks! Your the best
I got my own apartment because I had connections in Kyushu and people who could sign for me, but if you are coming to Japan for the first time, there are student dormitories, and there are individual apartments. How affordable they are depends on what school in what area you end up going to. (Fukuoka is a million times cheaper than Tokyo/Osaka.)
@Ciaela12 жыл бұрын
I think it depends on the place. I never went to Univeristy, but in High School I actually got Mono right before coming to Japan and was out of school for like a month and a half (and barely passed a ton of classes because of it...) I had no problem getting accepted for exchange even with those terrible grades (although I suppose I had an excuse.)
@Ciaela12 жыл бұрын
You most definitely can, as long as you keep at it!
Thank you so much for this video! I have been planning on studying abroad in Japan for 8 years now, and I can finally say that it's all going to happen this fall. It's going to be an exciting experience, and I can't wait to be emerged into the language and culture. ありがとうございました!
@Ciaela12 жыл бұрын
I loooooove your icon! You look so pretty! :)
@tiny_megatron12 жыл бұрын
Hi from Ottawa Canada! I have been watching your videos for about 4 years now You ar an inspiration to me! just wanted to tell you that!
@Ciaela12 жыл бұрын
How about I upload the exact same video and replace every mention of "Japan" with "North America"? .... Because that's exactly what I did in the subtitles and I'm pretty sure the same information applies. The links in the description go both ways too.
@Ciaela12 жыл бұрын
Yeah. That's how it happened for me too. Tried to go home, and home just was never the same.
@Ciaela12 жыл бұрын
I don't think there's such a thing as being too old. If you wanna go, then do it! If you're talking about visa qualifications, that might be different. If you have a degree, I think you'll qualify for a work visa regardless. If not, then you might have a hard time staying in Japan long term--but at the least, US passport holders can stay up to three months without a visa.
@WaterSam12 жыл бұрын
I'd be happy just to vacation there for a week. I'm trying my hardest to learn the language, but so far the only progress I've made is memorizing half of the Hiragana, and knowing the difference between the Tsu and Su sound. Other than that, I just watch Japanese videos in my free time. I have no idea if I'll ever get to go, but learning something like this has really helped with my mood, and it keeps me focused.
@fancymargaret12 жыл бұрын
ありがとございます! I'll leave to study in Japan with AFS in 42 days and I've been really worried, but your videos are so fun and inspiring that I feel much better.
@Backwardthinking12 жыл бұрын
Your videos make me so happy and hopeful that I'll be able to make it to Japan in a few years. So thank you for being so inspirational :)
@IslaMcTear12 жыл бұрын
My bestfriend went to Germany on exchange for a year and it's changed him as a person in a good way. I think that no matter where you go even if it is moving out of your own city it'll change you as a person. Great video :) I hope to one day visit Japan!
@perdomot12 жыл бұрын
Really good advice about getting out of your comfort zone as doing this seems to "wake people up" from the usual routines of life they get used to. I feel most alive on my yearly trips to Japan because you have to pay attention and be alert to do anything because of the language/cultural differences. I learned Hiragana & Katakana this year for my next trip in April and I find myself pausing videos to read the signs which feels like its opened up more of JPN for me to learn about.
@Ciaela12 жыл бұрын
1) I wasn't 15, I was 17. 2) I came for my last year in high school, graduated, got a job, went back to school, graduated, went to college, graduated, then I got the place where I live now. It didn't all happen in the span of the year.
@Ciaela12 жыл бұрын
I never went to university or got a degree, so I don't know what I'm missing out on, but I'm pretty sure I wouldn't trade the education I got through real life experiences/struggles, or the communication skills I learned from not being able to speak a language, for anything else in the world :)
@Lysander4512 жыл бұрын
Nice video, and mentioning reverse culture shock was an especially nice touch. It is something that affects people regardless of what country they go to. My grandmother went to New Zealand for a year, and despite moving from one English speaking country to another (we are UK folk) it took her two weeks to fully adjust to being back in the UK when she returned.
@Inastudioss11 жыл бұрын
Going to Kyoto in just a few weeks, EXCITED!~
@Ciaela12 жыл бұрын
In Japan, while a student visa doesn't automatically give you the right to work, in most cases with permission form your school, you can apply for a work permit. Some schools have restrictions, like you must pass a language test first, or you must have good grades to get their approval, but I had a work permit all throughout language school and senmongakkou.
This is all so true! I worked my butt off to study abroad in Argentina, and now I'm living here! I say that if you want something bad enough, you can always find a way to make it happen. Good luck, future exchange students!!
@aidanrose9512 жыл бұрын
I really loved the line about creating the reality you wanted to live.
@Ciaela12 жыл бұрын
I have a separate channel called Mikaeradesu that I sometimes upload videos on! They're more personal/boring than the main channel ones but it's something!
@Flib_smmh12 жыл бұрын
I don't think I'm going to move to Japan, learn japanese etc.but this video is really cute, that's nice from you to encourage young people. There's a lot of student afraid of exchange programs. I fell in love with Germany when I was younger, and now I can't live without a little of Germany each year. I have to see, to hear, to talk, to feel... But I sure will visit Japan one day, and I know it will be awesome!
@johnbreak16512 жыл бұрын
このような動画作ってくれてありがとうございますっ!! すごくためになりました!
@vanillathunderlover12 жыл бұрын
THANK YOU SO MUCH!! Micaela you are seriously MY inspiration!
@遠藤ゆりあ-x9v11 жыл бұрын
この動画なんか大好き!何回も見ちゃう
@Ciaela12 жыл бұрын
Well when you consider the fact that teaching English part time, you can make $30-40 an hour, it's really not that difficult if you're willing to put in the effort.
@sylvieflamand720712 жыл бұрын
Perfect timing. I needed to hear(read) that today.
I just came back from 4 and a half months in Japan, Best thing I've ever done!
@Ciaela12 жыл бұрын
みてくれてありがとうございます!
@TheOrikousan11 жыл бұрын
comfort zone→快感帯(人が快適と感じる温度-湿度などの範囲)、ホッと落ち着ける場所
@orenjijji11 жыл бұрын
this video was so inspiring! ive already been to japan on exchange program, but plan to go again during college..i love watching your videos! thank you so much for all your informational videos, theyre so fun and motivate me to work hard so i can go to japan again :)
@TheIslandOfFiji11 жыл бұрын
I was in Fukuoka this summer for the whole month of August. We had an exchange student 5 years ago who lived with us for a year. So her and her family invited me to stay with them for a month :) I'm only 15, so in either 11th or 12th grade, I plan to be an exchange student in Japan for one year!
@katstar0112 жыл бұрын
You are always so helpful! and that is a pretty sweet hoodie you got there.
@kookiesfriend12 жыл бұрын
Perfect timing. You've cleared my doubts & i have decided that this is gonna happen.
@Spellll12 жыл бұрын
I show your videos to families here in Ontario who host Japanese students every summer. I am the homestay coordinator and your videos are pretty good. I went to Yokohama a year ago to meet some former visiting students. I wish I could learn more Japanese... I think you are going to inspire me. :) Matane!
@poppingcornicecream12 жыл бұрын
I just wanted to make a video that what I've been thinking and feeling out of my own country as an exchange student but you actually made kinda same one already...good job and feel so same. From Italy(I'm exactly on the program of AFS now)
@Ciaela12 жыл бұрын
Hmm. R should always be pronounced like an "l"/"light d" sound in Japanese. Is it possible that the person you were learning from was a foreigner? While the "l" sound is romanized as an "R", Japanese people actually have a lot of trouble pronouncing a proper "R" sound, it's always always closer to "l". :)
@carddealer121412 жыл бұрын
wow, way to sell urself short. you are unique in the fact that you left your comfort zone. I could never do that i dont have the drive nor the determination
@TheSomethingWitty12 жыл бұрын
My exchange in Japan when I was sixteen may not have been the best experience of my life, but it opened doors for me that led to some of the best experiences of my life. I would not be who I am if I had not done it. The only thing that makes Micaela special is that she makes videos about her life and you don't.
@flayuhat12 жыл бұрын
My dad would never let me go. I told him that I would learn self-defense, learn Japanese (I would have 3 years of learning by the time I went), work extra hard to get all my credits before I went, and that Japan was a safe country. He saw how serious I was and agreed. So I called a company for extra details and they said homeschool students (like myself) couldn't go because of a Japanese law or something. Now I'm depressed. Try making a plan and showing your mom how serious you are. Good luck.
@Hopeホープ11 жыл бұрын
Hi Micaela!! I have a question. I want to go to Japan next year.. however!! I will be in year 11 next year and i was wondering if I should still go over to Japan next year?? What do you think?? Please Reply ASAP
I'm heading to Japan for a semester starting in April. My general state goes between "oh my goodness this is so much money what have I done to my family," and "oh my goodness I'm going to Japan I don't even know how to approach this emotionally there's too much." You are 100% correct about the independence thing though. I'm not even there yet and I've already gotten more confident in doing things like paperwork, formal emails, formal phone calls, etc. Right now, it's all pretty stressful, but I
@louiseraskin9 жыл бұрын
I watched this video a few months ago and now I'm watching it again knowing I'll be an exchange student in Japan in August :) thanks Micaela, this video gave me a lot of courage
@liga89589 жыл бұрын
Louise Blabla happy for you! which city? : )
@louiseraskin9 жыл бұрын
Līga Garkalne thanks!! I don't know yet, somewhere around Tokyo :D
@Aralka12349 жыл бұрын
Louise Blabla Wow, Congrats! I am watching this video now and I am searching for a school for myself for the next year. I don't know how to start! :(
@zealandiajpn62758 жыл бұрын
+Julia Bernard Do you want me to assist you? I am japanese citizen but currenty living in new zealad as a resident. if you want me to translate or find a source. let me know
@Ciaela12 жыл бұрын
っていうか、I tried to be rebellious and dye it brown, then when I got my haircut I asked for highlights, and they turned it blonde/orange again. :'(
@luckyme113311 жыл бұрын
I do have a question about studying in Japan, going there, knowing so little about the language, how did you manage school? Like, how did you manage to understand the textbooks, the teacher, and pass the tests at first? Was there someone there to help you translate it at first or was it through just tons of independant hard work?
ciaela, you're one of the few people on youtube who knows what they're talking about, thanks for your advice, thats exactly why I'm going on wednesday
@Tiffehhhhh12 жыл бұрын
I really want to go to a language school this summer and can't decide between Tokyo and Osaka. Which in your opinion would be better? I'm just concerned that if I don't go to Tokyo I might regret it since it's one of the biggest cities in the world, etc. Thanks, Tiffany. (:
@iBug12 жыл бұрын
I'm not really interested in coming to Japan, but the "going outside of your comfort zone" part makes sense for almost anything in life. Real life begins when you step out of your comfort zone and try new things. Thanks Micaela :D
@Ciaela12 жыл бұрын
Desigual! My current favorite brand!
@sukiXrose12 жыл бұрын
My faveourite video you've made for aaaages :D I loved it, and thank you for the encouragement x
@Ciaela12 жыл бұрын
You're one of the smart ones!
@k1mpman12 жыл бұрын
Thank you for this respons. It's really helpful. The school that I will attend in Japan gave me this tip aswell. I'm saddened to say that I have got so much on my plates untill april (3 finals and 8 assignments at university) but I'll try to read as much as I can!
@cypdxmfight0212 жыл бұрын
Hey Ciaela, I agree with everything you said here. When I first came to Japan, I felt like a baby! I think it's important to go to the country with an open mind! I learned a lot by keeping quiet and simply observing and listening. I think if people go to a new country with this in mind, they will learn and assimilate quickly.
@OniNoOdori12 жыл бұрын
I found this video very interesting since I am currently living as an exchange student in Osaka. Speaking of culture shock, I did not experience it very strongly. One reason may be that I already knew enough of the language to lead daily conversations with locals. After just 4 months everything has settled down and I feel totally at home :)
heey, wonderfull video! It's nice to know you was Exchange student with AFS! Actually I'm living my exchange year in Thailand! :) Love you girl!
@SilverDragonSpirit12 жыл бұрын
I just wanted to know if it is possible, how hard is it learning Japanese because I have always wanted to learn and I plan on visiting or maybe even living there one day? would it be more hard for me right now because I am studying Russian because my father is Russian so I am half Russian and scotch/ Irish or should I just stick to learning one language then learn Japanese. Thank you so much if you could answer me and I really love your videos, they are very informative :)
@oktobernights11 жыл бұрын
love your videos. i am no longer in japan, but i lived in nagoya, aichi, for many months, on several different trips. thank you for explaining oden to me, finally! :)
@Samanthagax12 жыл бұрын
Would you recommend buying a Canon t3i (or whichever I decide to buy) before going to Japan or while in the country? This is potentially a dumb question, and perhaps one that you get all the time.
@jt038412 жыл бұрын
I'm planning on doing an exchange program in my second year at uni and also wanna get a part-time job while in Japan. I don't know much about visas, but do I have to apply for a specific one before I can get a part-time job over there?
@blizzardwizdom12 жыл бұрын
the photos of when you were 17 are awesome!
@Psykrom12 жыл бұрын
watching your video made me feel a bit more confident. When I'm going to visit Tokyo at the end of april I'll be more or less as clueless as you've been at your first visit. I'm a bit afraid of the language barrier because I want to make friends and I like to have conversation. I am very interested in Japan; even more in it's people (far more than in my own) and I want to see what it is like and I hope I can have a great time there. I think you are interesting, gonna watch more of your videos :)
@nagahoriikumu12 жыл бұрын
we love you!! とっても力となるアドバイスです!ありがとうございます!! My dream is going to abroad for study This video make me more ambitious man to english!! Thank you for make this video!
@MeggieKay12 жыл бұрын
I was suppose to go to Japan when I was 17 for exchange, but it fell through and ended up in Germany instead. And Japan wasn't available for my exchange in University so I went to Singapore for that one... Even though I've never been an exchange student in Japan, your points still apply to any exchange student.
@B1uEM4oM4o12 жыл бұрын
You forgot to mention how incredibly difficult it is at first to learn japanese! But very inspirational. are you living/working in japan now?
@iluvpie14311 жыл бұрын
I've been learning Japanese for a couple months now and have always been fascinated with Japan. I am trying to work out doing an exchange program for my grade 12 year of highschool. I am currently in grade 10. The biggest obstacle I'm facing is whith how many credits I need in order to graduate. :/
@Jonnyeth12 жыл бұрын
I'll be doing a year's Placement at Waseda University this september, so no doubt I'll come to see first hand for myself all those things. Still really nervous about the thought though. Do you think you could maybe give some advice about writing 志望動機 if you get a chance?
@IanHollis12 жыл бұрын
"Nothing worth happening comes without struggle" - I like it. (You should put in a pic, and post it on facebook).
@Ciaela12 жыл бұрын
This made me laugh way harder than it should.
@Gamefreak010110 жыл бұрын
ミカエラさんきみのビデオが大好き!!すごく面白い!!!!日本に行きたい! Honestly, your videos have helped me so much; they're exactly what I need right now. I'm thinking about doing a study abroad to Japan for a summer semester in 2016 (planning WAY ahead here) after I finish my Advance Japanese courses at my university. I really, really, really want to go... like... now. P.S. I love you. :3
@kurosukichuu86011 жыл бұрын
:D I went for the 1st interview with AFS Malaysia and I'm quite scared and anxious for the 2nd interview(not comfirm yet but had a panicky feeling)...May I ask what question would they ask or give them confidence on picking me to go to Japan and what knowledge should I prepare? I only know about pop culture Japan...is that enough?
@nihonchique12 жыл бұрын
Awesome Vid!! :D You addressed some very real problems that people don't get sometimes. I didn't think I would have culture shock, but I did. Reverse culture shock was even worse when I went back home to finish university and I just had to go back to Japan, so I am back for 2 years for graduate school!! :D
@SashikuChan11 жыл бұрын
You've empowered me. I think about it a lot, and there are so many things I am afraid I will be no good at. The language is one hurdle I'm not worried about. x3 I can say a *tad* more than you could when you first started, but I don't know kanji. I hope to attend a language school because the community college here doesn't have enough students wanting to take Japanese for me to continue. I will start immediately, thanks SO much for giving me inspiration once again!