Helpful Japanese Resources

       Hey everyone! So, if you guys are alot like me and can't really find any Japanese tutors near you then, you must be studying Japanese all alone. I know that it is quite difficult learning a new language all by yourself so, I thought that I'd recommend some helpful Japanese resources! Now just to let you all know I got most of these from another blogger, her name is Ashley and here is a link to her blog so check her out: http://exchangeyear-japan.blogspot.com/ .

      Alot of her stuff was really helpful (I have tried them all out) so, I will include links to those sites and some other sites/videos/blogs/ apps I have found that will hopefully help you guys get to know Japan a bit better. Hope you guys enjoy it and, please let me know if you found these helpful!!!! :)

Grammar: http://www.guidetojapanese.org/learn/complete/

Vocab: http://livemocha.com/

Practice Japanese/Meeting Japanese People: http://lang-8.com/ and  http://www.interpals.net/

Dictionary: http://www.jisho.org/

Reading and Writing: http://www.realkana.com/ and http://japanese.about.com/library/blkodarchives.htm

Testing Your Japanese: https://momo.jpf.go.jp/sushi/tomainJsp.action?request_locale=en_US

Apps: I found a few apps on the apple store they were all free and, I found them really helpful.
      1.) Learn Japanese- Phrasebook for Travel in Japan
      2.) Japanese English Dictionary
      3.) Trip Lingo
      4.) Learn Japanese Easily

Just About Everything: http://japanese.about.com/ , http://www.erin.ne.jp/  and http://www.renshuu.org/

Blogs: http://exchangeyear-japan.blogspot.com/ http://hiraganamama.wordpress.com/ http://www.kimdaoblog.com/ http://ciaela.wordpress.com/
 http://www.kanadajin3.blogspot.jp/ http://www.youtube.com/user/kanadajin3
http://www.orangetummy.blogspot.com/ http://www.travellingtalesofciara.com/
http://tokyohometown.blogspot.com/

Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/user/Ciaela http://www.youtube.com/user/JyuusanKaidan
  http://www.youtube.com/user/kanadajin3 http://www.youtube.com/user/mimei
http://www.youtube.com/user/Orangetummy

Thanks for reading!!!!!

Traveling Abroad To Japan

Hello, my name is Brittany Cote and I am from Howell, New Jersey. I am a junior at Howell High School. Recently, I applied to go abroad to the 2013 summer program to Japan, through the AFS (American Field Service) Intercultural Student Exchange Program.

 During my stay I hope to make a difference and gain a better knowledge of the world and who I am as a person. I have always loved Japan's culture and language since I was young. Ever since I could remember, I have always dreamed about goin to Japan and emersing myself with the people and, their communities. This program is something I am very passionate about and, I hope to succeed and prosper in the language and culture. AFS has always been apart of my life, when my Dad was 16 he went to Africa and, my Aunt also went to Japan when she was a teenager through AFS as well. My family and I have also hosted a girl from Japan (Ayumi), who stayed with us for a whole year in 2011. It is my dream to become either a garphic designer or an ESL teacher. Before that though, I hope to become a better person and, help others along my way in Japan.

Right now, as a junior, I have to manage to keep myself organized. Whether it's dealing with a mass of homework, SAT's, studying, sports, friends, and trying to get some sleep. In my school I am on the lacrosse, and field hockey team. and part of a club called "Next 2 Records". In this group we produce/record our own school record label, its very fun and exciting to watch how everything comes together at the end. I am also in a special program at my school called, FPAC. It's a performing arts program and I am in the technology/music branch of it. In the technology/music branch (ET) we work with computers, music programs, and help work school shows. This is a very hectic and busy program but, its very rewarding in the end to see how hard and, well you've worked over the past 4 years of high school.

Learning and experiencing new things is a huge part of my life, so are my family, friends, and school. In my family giving back and, helping others is a big part of who we are. I am ecstatic to be apart of AFS and, to let others know what they stand for. And, I hope that I will be apart of such a great opportunity.

Hopefully, I can raise enough money for this once in a lifetime experience-along with this blog and fundraising/working-! My goal is to raise between $2000-$3000 in the next 4 months to help cover a fraction of the costs. I have already raised half of the money with my job but, hopefully you can all help make my dream come true. I thank you all for taking an interest in my blog and, for helping me out. Remember, evey little thing counts, any amount helps! I greatly apprecitate every donation and, this will help me get one step closer to my dream. Click on the Chipin! widget to support me, by making a secure non tax-deductible donation. I would also greatly appreciate if you could forward my blog to anyone else who might be interested in sponsoring me. Here's the link: http://brittanyinjapan721.blogspot.com/. Thank you so much!

~Brittany