7/26/10

Today was my dissertation proposal defense. In order to prepare for this day, of course I practiced my 20 presentation, but I also cut a few veggies, made dip, and had water ready for the professors...you know, to relieve any anxiety.

Well, the proposal defense consisted of a 20 minute presentation and 1 hour of question and answers. After that, I was kicked out of the room so they could talk amongst themselves my destiny. I returned to the room to find out that I need to revamp my research questions, and do more reading, and more researching on the "elite" dual language education field.

So...yes, it is a relief to have this step done. However, at the same time, A LOT more works needs to be done. I just checked my email and my advisor just sent me a 4 pages-single-spaced notes on today's event. Not to mention my exploratory case study has now changed into an ethnographic study.

On that note, I must say, I love my advisor. I really, really, really do. Without his help and guidance, I would not have been able to get to where I am now. It is because of him, and his hard work, and his faith in me, that I am where I am.

I am very happy that my committee is strict, but at the same time very supportive of my research and ideas. They are a great bunch of people and I am happy to be working with them.

It's going to be a tough road ahead, but well worth it in the end...I know.

7/17/10

Date, Time and Place has been set for the dissertation proposal defense! Now, I'm scrambling to create a 20 minute Powerpoint presentation. Hopefully I can get it done by Wednesday, so that there's more than enough time for my advisor to look it over before my presentation on July 26! So close! So excited! So nervous.

Visa...well, nothing yet.

Housing? Well...nothing yet either.

7/10/10

So I've sent my dissertation research proposal to my committee. There's 2 things that I need to hope for at the moment. 1) That all 5 committee members agree on a date and time to meet 2) That they approve my study.

Of course I still have visa to tackle.

Now that the paper is in their hands, I need to start working on my Powerpoint presentation. It needs to be about 20 minutes or so. After that, I'm questioned for about an hour. That's the proposal defense. Yikes, right?

7/6/10

So close yet it still feels so far! I just got word this morning that my committee has been approved by the graduate division at UH! Now only 2 more steps!

1) Committee approves of study
2) Visa

...and then it's off to go to Japan! I can taste Japan.

Looking to submit my research proposal to the committee by the 10th. They need 2 weeks to read/review my research and then I must meet with them to defend my proposal. That's nerve wreaking. Really....they're gonna ask everything and anything about why my research SHOULD be conducted and what GOOD will it do. *rawr* I better start preparing.

6/29/10

Yet another milestone in my "road to a completed dissertation"!

I am looking at the acceptance letter from Tokyo University! Yes, Tokyo University. Although I did receive a scholarship to go study in Japan for a year, that did not come with a "free" entry into a university. I needed to apply to see which university would accept me as a research student to conduct my research. I was looking to return to Keio University, where I attended for undergraduate, but I thought why go back when I can get another "brand" name attached to my name. How about Tokyo University?...THE number ONE university in Japan. Why not? Let's give it a shot...was my thoughts.

To my surprise, I have been accepted and will be going to Tokyo University for a year to conduct my research. Words can't express how happy I am. It's like being 2nd/3rd tier your entire life and all of a sudden you reach 1st tier. That kind of feeling? You get my point.

Still have lots to tackle though. Here is the list:
-Dissertation committee approved
-Dissertation proposal accepted by committee members
-Research approved by University of Hawaii
-Visa

Alright. I did my happy dance. It's crunch time. Back to my desk.

6/7/10

Dissertation Committee Members Set!

Yes, after all the rejections, I have finally gathered 5 professors who will determine my faith. In the end, I'll be needing 3 of the 5 to agree that whatever research I did "adds to the body of knowledge" and that I should graduate.

So, obviously this is a big step. So when the last professor agreed to serve on my committee naturally I got teary eyed. I'm so thrilled I don't even know where to begin.

Shay's Dissertation Committee Members
R.H. - Chair
S.R.
P.S.
T.H.
D.E.

Preparing for Japanese summer school has taken time away from the proposal and IRB papers, but I must get back to them. Oh, should I mention that IRB has denied me twice already...I wonder how many rejections this is going to take until they finally accept. Hm...

1/12/10

It is a new year with many new beginning! This is it! Or so I would like to think.

So, what happened between then and now? Well, I was awarded a scholarship. The scholarship is for a year study in Japan along with $45,000! WoW! So, how am I going to use all that money? Well, I'm thinking of using it as an opportunity to collect data for my dissertation. Grand idea.

Grand idea and all, but it entails loads of work. What kind of work?

*Finish last course work EDCS 768

*Field Study

*Gather 4 more professors for my committee

*Write my dissertation proposal

*Get my proposal approved by my committee

*IRB approval

*Comprehensive Exam

...all before I leave to Japan in August. Possible? Well, it's not a matter of possible. It's a matter of it MUST be done.

So, here is my preliminary research question.

What are the perceptions of parents and students towards whether or not the program goals and expectations are being met at English-Japanese two-way immersion schools in Japan?

Reasonable? Understandable? I know it needs work, but it's a start!