WELCOME TO MY MAJOR PORTFOLIO!
My name is Giavanna Hampton and my major is Japanese: Language and Culture. I've taken many language and culture courses that has improved my proficiency well enough for my study abroad experience to be a breeze. In my portfolio, I have input four semesters of work in Japanese, World Language and Culture (WLC) in addition to my time abroad in Tokyo, Japan.
Statement of purpose
In 2008, the best martial arts film of all time was released, Ip Man. It was loosely based on the life in Hong Kong of Yip Man, a grandmaster of Wing Chun martial arts. However, it was during the time of the Japanese invasion in 1937. The first time I heard Japanese was when I watched this movie at 16 years of age. I was completely entranced by the Japanese language. To me, the vibrations sounded, elegant, aggressive, smooth, and beautiful all at the same time. The sound of Japanese was, and still is, my motivation for literally changing my major for the fourth time to Japanese language and culture. Along with that, I came across anime which was shown to me by a childhood friend. I became completely addicted to anime and then manga. My room became filled with anime DVDs and Manga book series. However, back then I was not very tech savi. Of course, once I got a computer, I sold all my merchandise because I was able to read and see everything free online. Anyways, for this I became interested in Japanese culture.
Honestly, I don’t see myself using Japanese as a career motive. I will continue to expand my knowledge of the Japanese language and culture solely for my entertainment and communication purposes. Also, studying abroad in Tokyo also has sealed my decision of taking a different career path. However, I have fortunately received a great job that has a variety of departments. So maybe, my hard work will land me in a department that somehow correlates with international relations.
After I graduate, I plan on working for the state of California as a staff analyst until the higher manpower feels I am advanced enough to be put in a particular department. Again, I can associate my knowledge of Japanese within the State of California of international divisions. Therefore, I’m striving to be admitted in that department. I strongly want to continue my Japanese and not forget anything that I learned at CSUMB. For that, most likely I will hire a tutor so keep updated in my oral, written and reading skills. The reason for hiring a tutor is because the people of my community are of Latino majority and it's very expensive to travel to Japan.
I enjoy speaking to others across the world for I feel learning another language is of great importance for the people. Knowing Japanese, I feel I can help the Japanese and American students come together. Learning the language has taught me to how to create a multicultural classroom and a multicultural group. My major has showed me to respect backgrounds and other cultures. Now, I personally know the different perspectives and the different traditions of various cultures.
Honestly, I don’t see myself using Japanese as a career motive. I will continue to expand my knowledge of the Japanese language and culture solely for my entertainment and communication purposes. Also, studying abroad in Tokyo also has sealed my decision of taking a different career path. However, I have fortunately received a great job that has a variety of departments. So maybe, my hard work will land me in a department that somehow correlates with international relations.
After I graduate, I plan on working for the state of California as a staff analyst until the higher manpower feels I am advanced enough to be put in a particular department. Again, I can associate my knowledge of Japanese within the State of California of international divisions. Therefore, I’m striving to be admitted in that department. I strongly want to continue my Japanese and not forget anything that I learned at CSUMB. For that, most likely I will hire a tutor so keep updated in my oral, written and reading skills. The reason for hiring a tutor is because the people of my community are of Latino majority and it's very expensive to travel to Japan.
I enjoy speaking to others across the world for I feel learning another language is of great importance for the people. Knowing Japanese, I feel I can help the Japanese and American students come together. Learning the language has taught me to how to create a multicultural classroom and a multicultural group. My major has showed me to respect backgrounds and other cultures. Now, I personally know the different perspectives and the different traditions of various cultures.
This statment contains information of how I came to CSUMB and how and why I became a Japanese: World Language and Culture Major DOC