Maximum security prison II - Jan. 24 2007

Today I meet Okaasan and Otousan, the heads of seminar house III, husband and wife, probably older than my parents. They are very kind and humourous. Otousan makes jokes about Charles and I always being together although I only catch the joke an hour later (once my brain processes the informaiton and translates it to English). I have to say that my first impression of the dorms are just that: prejudicial first impressions. The dorm is a great life for students who want liberty (no curfew, they have a key to enter the dorm at any time) meet friends from all over the world (almost only international students in seminar houses). In my studio of 8 people, there are 3 Americans, 1 Brazilian, 1 Mexican, 1 Korean, 1 Swede and myself. However, the vast majority of exchange students are American: 300 out of the 408 students are American. When Japanese people see us in the neighborhood, they ask us first if we are American! Back to the dorms, internet connection, heating and everything needed for cooking is included. A computer room 24h on the first floor a coin laundry room at the basement. There may be many rules, but you are taken care of very well in dorms. Some staff members also come in twice a week to clean up.The only big disadvantage is that no one speaks Japanese in the dorm, whether they are experts are eager learners. That is why I decide to sign up for host family to experience Japanese culture and practice Japanese everyday, although it might mean to lose some liberty compared to dorm stay.