STUDENT INTERVIEW: Aziza Zakhidova (Acceleration)

Aziza Zakhidova

Aziza Zakhidova, a student from Uzbekistan, kindly agreed to do the interview for this week's newsletter.

Patty: Thanks for agreeing to do the interview.
Aziza: Oh sure, no problem. Is the interview going to be in Japanese or English?
P: Which do you prefer?
A: Let's do it in Japanese because I want to practice what I know.
P: Sure, why not.

P: I'll go straight into the questions. How did you find out about Yamasa?
A: Basically through the homepage. Well, I got into Princeton's Kanazawa Program, but I didn't go there due to bad timing. So I was looking for various schools and then I found Yamasa because it has the most flexible programs you can find.

P: What program are you in right now?
A: I'm in Acceleration Format 2 for eight weeks. It's good because it starts every two weeks, so it's very convenient for me.

P: How are the classes?
A: Well, I studied some Japanese back in university, so the grammar part was alright. But since I don't know enough vocabulary, I still need to work on my conversation skills.
P: What are your teachers and classmates like?
A: Our class is very international, with students from lots of different countries. My teachers and classmates are very nice and friendly.
P: That's good to hear. How do you normally study?
A: Basically, I try to do my homework, have my homestay mom check it for me, and then review it on the bus ride to school.

P: A bit change of subject. Tell me about your background.
A: Well, I was born in Uzbekistan and I stayed there until I was six years old. Due to my dad's job at the National Scientific Institute, we came to Japan, in fact to Okazaki. So, I went to a Japanese elementary school between first and third grade. During that time, I went back and forth between Japan and Uzbekistan. Likewise, I was also in Italy for a year during that time. After I finished third grade, we went back to Uzbekistan and I skipped fourth grade and went straight to fifth and sixth grade. After that, we moved to U.S. and now I'm a student at the University of Pennsylvania under the Huntsman Program of International Study and Business. My topic language is Japanese.
P: You seem to have moved around quite often. You mentioned that you lived in Okazaki before - what was it like back then?
A: When I was in Okazaki, I went to Mishima elementary school for about two years. That's one of the reasons I choose Yamasa when I discovered it was in Okazaki. Just recently, I went back to Mishima elementary school for a visit and got my old friend's addresses and phone numbers.
P: So I guess that's what you do with your spare time, hanging out with friends?
A: Yeah, that's right. I spend a lot of time writing a conference paper at the moment.

P: What is the conference paper for?
A: Well, I'm in a Japan-America Student Conference, where 30 Japanese students and 30 American students get together and discuss globalization, business, and Japan-U.S. relations.

P: So what are your plans after you finish studying at Yamasa?
A: Well, I'll be at the conference in August and hopefully do some traveling since the conference takes place in Kyoto and many other cities. I'm planning to go to Hitotsubashi University in Tokyo two years.

P: And finally, any advice or suggestions for new students?
A: If you already know some Japanese, it's a good idea to review it before the placement test, so you don't find yourself in a class that might be a bit easy. Likewise, come to Japan with a good attitude and an open-mind set, so you can make lots of friends. Also make the best use of the resources around you (that the school provides). And finally, exchange your money at the airport for a better rate.

P: Thanks for being this week's interviewee.
A: You're welcome.