やっぱり、あの「トトロ」を見た後で高校と大学で日本語を勉強して、色々な日本の特徴に感動されました。しかし、「日本がわかる」と心からぜんぜん言えません。多分、決してそんなことが言えませんが、頑張って、ちょっとだけ日本のことがわかるようになれたら、とても嬉しいです。今朝、初めて有名な成田空港に飛行機に乗ってすぐ日本に着きます。この留学経験の一番の目的は、子供の時から聞いている質問をちょっと答えてみることです。
でも、あの質問の答えを探しに行く前に、たくさんの人達に「ありがとう」と言わなければいけません。実は僕の生活で、トトロのように、色々な方で手伝ってくれる人達はいっぱいいますよ。まず、家族です。トトロが不思議な森の鍵をあげるように、父と母と始め、家族は僕にこの留学経験と大学の勉強をさせてくれます。でも教育のことだけじゃなくて、生活のほとんど全部のいいことは親と兄弟達のお陰様でありますね。「ありがとうございます」と言っては十分ではないです。
それから、先生達です。日本語の先生のお陰様でここまで日本語が習えました。高校生の時から今まで、日本語の勉強はずっと楽しみでした。何度も間違えをしてしまいましたけれど、いつも親切なトトロのように我慢して、日本語の練習のチャンスをいっぱいくださいました。あの先生たちに、いつもありがとうございます。そして、生物学を専攻している学生として化学の先生にも「ありがとう」といいたいです。あの先生たちは、僕が日本の留学プログラムで化学の勉強ができないとわかるんですが、僕は日本の勉強も大切にするもわかりますから、日本で留学させてくださっています。本当にありがとうございます。
最後に、友達です。僕の友達は宝です。いつもひらめきと励ましをくれています。こんな友達で嬉しくて明るくて面白い生活ができています。僕が迷っているところにニコニコしている友達がトトロのように、すぐ来て僕を元気にしてくれます。僕の日本語でちょっと伝えにくいですが、生活のトトロ見たい人に感謝をたくさん表したいです。
それで、日本に行きます。着いた後ですぐ書くのを楽しみにしています。
Ten years ago I occasionally watched Hayao Miyazaki's film My Neighbor Totoro with my family. My interest in Japan began with that movie. As a child I was delighted with Totoro, an umbrella-toting, rain-loving, forest-inhabiting giant with plate-sized eyes who was generous, patient, and kind in any circumstance. After watching the movie several times, I gradually became more fascinated with background features of the story, such as the rural Japanese setting and the cast's exquisite politeness. From that point forward, I wondered to myself "What kind of country is Japan?"
After first seeing Totoro and proceeding into Japanese classes in high school and college, I've been deeply impressed by various things I've learned about Japan. Yet after these years of studying Japanese language and culture, of course I cannot say something like "Me, I know Japan." Actually, I will never be able to say something like that truthfully. But if I try hard and eventually come to understand just a little bit about Japan, I think I will be very happy. This morning, I'll board my first Tokyo-bound flight ever and arrive in Japan. In this study abroad experience, my utmost goal is to answer (at least to some degree) the question I've been asking myself for ten years: what kind of country is Japan?
Before I go off searching for that answer, there are a lot of people that I've got to thank. As a matter of fact, there are a whole bunch of people in my life who resemble the ever-loving Totoro. First comes my family who, starting with my parents, grant me this chance to study abroad with my university education; just as Totoro gives the key to unlock the magical camphor forest. But my family goes beyond providing education and straight to providing every sweet thing in my life, so no "Thank-you" can really suffice for them. Especially I am grateful for my parents, who first taught me the joy of pure, scholarly inquiry.
Then come my teachers. I have studied Japanese since my junior year of high school, and I can say confidently that it has been a joy all along. Well, at least it's been a joy for me as a student, but maybe not for my poor instructors. Even though I made (and make) countless mistakes, my Japanese professors have guided me with the patience of a true Totoro, and have furnished me with generous opportunities for me to practice. I am always indebted to them! And, as a biology major I owe huge thanks to the UNC science faculty. These professors know that I cannot take science classes in Japan through the available exchange programs, yet they are allowing and even encouraging my pursuit abroad because they know the importance it has to me and my education as a whole. Thank you truly for that.
Finally come my friends. In my troubling times, they materialize and come to my aid, whether that involves making an international video-call or running for miles around town or geeking out about biology or watching obscure Japanese dramas with me. It's a little hard to express in writing, but I am so thankful for all of these real-life Totoros who surround me and make my life bright, happy, and *very* interesting. But I would like to express great thanks for all of them on this early morning.
Now, I will go grab my bags and leave for Japan. I look forward to writing to you soon after my arrival.
P.S. If you haven't seen Miyazaki's Totoro, you probably should. But watch with caution; you might end up going to Japan like me!
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