STUDENT INTERVIEW: So Chi Wai (Hong Kong, AIJP)

So Chi Wai (Winnie)

This weeks interview is with Winnie by guest interviewer Brett Robson, with interjections from Lilla.

Brett: Hi Winnie, can I interview you for the newsletter?
Winnie: Isn't that Jon's job?
B: ...apparently... But he's gone to Hong Kong on business so I'm standing in for him.......So where are you from and what course are you doing?
Lilla (winnie's roommate): Can I be in the interview as well?
B: I think you were interviewed for the catalog weren't you?
Lilla: Yeah, I forgot about that.............

B: So Winnie where are you from etc?
W: I'm from Hong Kong and I'm studying in the AIJP, I started in October last year.

B: Why did you want to study Japanese?
W: I love studying languages and I think Japanese is useful in Hong Kong.

B: What other languages do you speak?
W: Cantonese and English, I understand a bit of Mandarin.

B: What were you doing before you came to Yamasa?
W: After university I worked in a manufacturing company for about a year.

B: Why did you choose Yamasa?
W: Yamasa had the best home page.

B: How has the course been so far?
W: The AIJP is a little different from what I expected. The emphasis is very strong on grammar.

B: You live in Villa 4, what is it like sharing a room?
W: Quite OK. The apartments are comfortable and modern but maybe a bit expensive. My roommate and I have become good friends.
Lilla: I'm going to Hong Kong in June with her.
B: Excuse me, I'm talking to Winnie.
Lilla: (laughing) Wakatta.
W: and I'm going to Hungary next year. (Lilla is from Hungary)

The interview is put on hold as Winnie, Lilla and Brett take another sip of the Hungarian wine Lilla brought.

B: Do you have any interesting stories about sharing an apartment?
Lilla: One morning Winnie got up and started speaking to me in Cantonese, I think she was telling me to stay in bed because she was going to wash her hair.
W: (laughing and blushing) .. but I had just woken up and you speak to me in Hungarian sometimes!
B: I was asking Winnie, but that's OK.

B: What are the good points about studying at Yamasa?
W: The best thing is you can meet people from different countries.
Lilla: It's very international
B: Do you mind?
Lilla: (laughing) gomen (sorry)
B: Are there enough Australians here?
W: (embarassed silence)

B: And the bad points about studying at Yamasa?
W: Mmm Okazaki is a bit boring compared to Hong Kong.

B: What are you going to do when you go back to Hong Kong?
W: Work at my old company and try to use my Japanese.

B: Any plans to return to Japan?
W: Maybe next year, I'd like to do a trip to Hokkaido.

B: Any messages for prospective students?
W: Okazaki is a good place for study and for a quiet relaxed life.

B: Thank you very much. Um... Pass the wine please Lilla.