Joyce Ng

STUDENT INTERVIEW: Joyce Ng, Singapore, AIJP

Euan: Isogashii desu ka?
Joyce: Eh?

E: Isogashii desu ka?
J: Uh?

E: Are you busy?
J: No, no. [that was no, I'm not busy, not no, leave me alone!]

E: So, what course are you following, Joyce?
J: The AIJP. I've just started this month.

E: And what were you doing before you came to Japan?
J: Ummm, bumming around? Well, freelancing actually, but that gives you a lot of freedom so.....every day depends on projects, what you're working on at the time.

E: What kind of freelance work do you do?
J: Interior design - renovations, interior projects, redesigning the interior of peoples houses, commercial property. I've been doing it for about 4 to 5 years.

E: Why did you decide to come to Japan?
J: This is tough! Right, because I decided to quit my job, and I didn't feel like working....really I wanted a change of environment. Also, my work was kind of stressful, so I wanted to have a break.

E: Did you study Japanese before?
J: Yes, the last year I was taking night classes, and then when I decided to take a break from work I thought I would concentrate on that for the year. So at the moment, I'm thinking of studying for 6 months, and then I'll decide what to do afterwards.

E: Do you have any plans for after graduation from Yamasa?
J: Probably go back to my work in Singapore....or maybe try to do the same work here in Japan. That would also be nice - have a change of setting, but carry on with my work.

E: How do you get to classes?
J: I walk! I can't find a bike! All the shops have just sold out! I'm going to try another shop this weekend a bit further from the school, but the shops around here are all sold out!

E: Ahh. I guess that would be the summer rush. [thinks: $$$$...I could rent you a bike....cheap, one careful owner....] I'm sure you'll get one soon. What about your accommodation? Where are you staying?
J: Villa 3. No problems at all, no complaints so far!

E: What about languages? What languages do you speak?
J: English, Mandarin, Cantonese, Taiwanese dialect, Japanese ha mada desu.

E: What is the biggest challenge you've faced so far in Japan?
J: The language of course! I'm still struggling! It is pretty hard - lots of different forms to learn - polite forms, normal forms, all the keigo, all the transitive/intransitive verbs....it takes time, but needs a bit of rote learning. You have to learn a lot of stuff by heart.

E: Well, thank you very much. Have a great weekend.
J: Thank you.