9/24/10

Update Update Update! Read all about it!

Housing - I moved into my hole in the wall on 9/16. It's only for a year, so I think I can manage. It's nice and cozy, but it was a like a puzzle putting things away because there's no space! LoL. I ended up putting my shoes, books, and dry foods all in the shoe rack/box/closet. LoL

Certificate of Alien Registration Card - Picked up my card on 9/15, opened up a bank account, deposited my money to keep it safe, and paid the school's tuition. Oh, and along with my Certificate of Alien Registration Card, I also got health insurance too.

University of Tokyo - My first meeting with my advisor here is on 9/30. I'm a bit nervous.

Now, for the good stuff.

Week 1 of observation at the first school is done. How many more? 12? How did it go? Well, I thought it went quite well. I got to meet the teachers, and the students and spend the entire day with them. But I did run into a little bump in the road. One (or more, who knows?) didn't agree with my research question. Great...after ALL that work. *hrmph* So basically, after talking to my advisor, I had to ex-nay the part where they felt as those I was evaluating the school/teacher. That's fine. Less work for me.

Gotta stay strong and pull through. Tough times are there to make you a better, stronger person in the end. I believe.

9/5/10

w00t! I'm writing this in Tokyo, Japan! I made it over! Here's a quick run down of what happened so far.

Student Visa - After waiting for nearly 2 month, I took my Certificate of Eligibility to the Japanese Consulate in Honolulu to apply for a student visa. This process usually takes 4 days. However, with some connection and push, I expedited the process to 1 day. So I pick up my student visa the next day and flew out to Japan! (Literally, the day I picked up my visa was the day I flew out!)

Housing - It took 10 days, but I FINALLY found a place to live for the year. Finding a place isn't easy, but it's even harder when you're a foreigner. They don't trust you. I don't blame them...but c'mon. With the help of Nippon Keidanren, I locked down a place. It's super duper uber small. There's a bed, and a desk. That's pretty much it. LoL. But it's fully furnished down to the sheets and towel, and electricity and water is included. Sweet deal!

Certificate of Alien Registration Card - Now that I have an address, I went down to the Ward Office to apply for this card. It takes 2 weeks for it to process. Without this card I can't open a bank account and/or pay for the school's tuition. The law requires the bank to confirm the person's address...without the Alien Registration Card, I have no proof.

School Observation 1 - I visited the first school I'll be observing. I thought I could start right away, but the school needs to inform their parents that I'll be around campus and I also need parent/student signatures approving me to observe. Hopefully by mid September I can start collecting data.

University of Tokyo - I visited the school and met a few important people in charge of the education department. They were all very nice and made me feel welcomed. They even have a "camp" for incoming foreign students that I will be joining! So excited!

So basically, I'm playing the waiting game at the moment. Waiting for the Alien Registration Card so I can open up a bank account and pay for school; Waiting for the school to notify and get parent/student signatures; Waiting for the university to start.

8/21/10

Initially I didn't think I'd still be around for COEDSA's orientation, so I didn't sign up to help with anything...but I'm still here! So I decided to go help the orientation. I ended up being on the student panel to share my journey so far with the new incoming phd students.

Two most important thing I can share:
1) Take breaks to do what you enjoy.
2) Research what you REALLY want to do.

When I first began this journey...somewhere along the lines...someone told me I shouldn't REALLY do what I am interested in since I'll get burnt out and lose interest. So I decided on the whole "humor in the classroom" theme. Well, that didn't go very well. My advice, stick to what you really want to research.

Oh, and after speaking, one guy, Jesse, even came up to me after to ask further about my studies and plan. It was nice to know that someone actually cared enough to follow up on what I said. ^__^

As for when I'm leaving to go to Japan, still no date.

8/16/10

So I was suppose to leave on 8/18/10, but that won't be happening anymore. I will be needing my visa so I'm waiting on that. As soon as I get the visa I'll be on my way.

Today I met up with some other Ph.D students for dinner and one of them said that she's planning on graduating in Fall 2011. She said that she'd want me to graduate with her then. Seriously? I don't know if I can do that...I'd have to really concentrate on school and write my dissertation while I collect data. We'll see.

8/7/10

Here's an update. I rewrote my research questions:

Dual Language Education:
Main: What are the mission, purposes, structure, and program characteristics of dual language education in international schools in Japan?
Sub: What are the characteristics of the school setting, features of the program, personnel and participants involved? How is the curriculum and instruction organized?

Within Students' General Education:
Main: What are the essential educational experiences that underlie students' learning within these types of dual language education programs in international schools?
Sub: How do students understand these experiences? What parent processes (i.e., values, goals, behavior) underlie the roles parents play in supporting student learning? How do teachers structure and influence student learning activities in the classroom? What other features of schools appear to support the learning process in these types of schools?

Ethnography:
Main: Are there any discrepancies between the schools' mission and values and what students actually experience?
Sub: What meanings do participants (e.g., students, teachers, and parents) attach to those discrepancies?

So, a little birdy named, Fred, told me I don't need my Visa. muahahaha. So, I booked my flight and getting ready to leave for Japan. (Fred is a made up character in my world.) I've been saying my goodbyes and slowly packing, while attempting to rewrite my first chapter.

I also got my first scholarship check in the mail today! $10,000 to my name! I'm excited.

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.