While a large cyclone was battering the coast of my home state overnight and this morning, the weather here was being more like the Tokyo spring we expect, just a little colder than usual. The blue skies on the way to work made a picture (or four).
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| Blooms near the bus stop |
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| The TOC building near work |
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| The tower |
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| The wheel peaks over the upper entrance at work |
And while the semester doesn't formally start for a few weeks yet, I had another round of meetings with students to encourage their participation in a range of study activities, on campus and overseas. And just as it was with students back home, students today are keen but cautious about taking up studying overseas opportunities.
I recall my own undergraduate years when I figured to get any fluency in the language, I was going to have to spend some time, any time in Japan. I didn't worry about scholarships (none--except for a one way airfare), credit for my studies (none--I had to go after I'd finished my studies), or not understanding Japanese well enough to live there (that was the whole point)...
These days, students want scholarships, credit, pre-travel fluency and not too much work. Yes, I know, times have changed and the world is a different place but the fundamentals of studying overseas haven't really changed.
(Nor does a day on the port.)
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| Speaking of overseas adventure, the research ship is back |
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| Getting supplies |
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| The reassurance of the everyday |
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| The little yellow fellow |
Often times, it is reassurance for their parents just as much as the students but I'd encourage a sense of adventure--think blue skies and big oceans...just go!
[Camera : iPhone6S, 8.34am, 10.12am-10.16am; Lumix TZ-85, 10.31am, 12.48pm, 1.31pm, 2.48pm; 28 March 2017]
