I decided to stop by Clark College to see my previous Japanese teachers to tell them about my experiences at PSU, today. I was originally going in to speak with Okuhara sensei, but once I got there I noticed that they were conducting their midterms. I didn’t think I’d have time to catch up with either of them, but fortunately I caught Okuhara sensei during a break in between her classes and she spoke to me entirely in Japanese. Although there were times where I couldn’t translate bits and pieces, I was surprised that I could still understand the conversation we were having.

She introduced me to another volunteer named Maho, who is an international student from Tokyo. We had a great conversation, and I may be seeing her again, as she’s a volunteer for Sato sensei’s class. I feel sorry for her, though, because as an international student she doesn’t have a car and has to commute by bus for approximately an hour and a half, one way, when she has class. So much time wasted in a commute.

In other news, Sato sensei’s class had their written exam today, so I wasn’t able to speak with her until her class finished with their exams, but I will be volunteering in both Sato sensei and Okuhara sensei’s class as an unofficial tutor on Tuesdays and Thursdays. The first half of the two-hour course I’ll be in Sato sensei’s class, then the following hour will be spent in Okuhara sensei’s class. Fortunately, I have classes at Clark in the afternoon on said days, so volunteering in the mornings shouldn’t bother me too much. Although I feel like my term is busy enough as it is, I feel like I could always spend more time volunteering to help people in a language that I enjoy. Not only that, but I feel as though it’s mutually beneficial in the long run. Anyway, that’s all I have for now.