15. School of International Liberal Studies
…sounds fancy?? …or dodgy??haha
My name is Akihiro Nakayama, who is SP1 Student of SIILS. I am
now studying abroad in the UK, and will go back to SILS this
summer.
So, here is an introduction of SILS from my PERSONAL
perspective.
Language spoken in this department: English, Japanese, some
kind of pidgin English (,which is called “Japanglish”)
Courses available in this department: Basically, any kind of
courses, such as Business, History, and Politics. Rather
superficial study before studying abroad, in-depth study while
studying abroad, in-depth research after studying abroad.
Some advantages of being a SILS student:
(1) You might become able to speak English and/or some other
foreign languages fluently because SP1 students have to
spend a year abroad during your college life, and most of SILS
courses take place in English.
(2) Apparently, for some reason, SILS students tend to get a good
job.
Some disadvantages of being a SILS student:
(1) Basically, you HAVE TO spend a year abroad during the MOST
ENJOYABLE PERIOD of your college life (or, Niji life).
(2) You will definitely become poor at writing/reading/speaking
Japanese.
(3) This may sounds rather surprising to you, but I personally
think that it is a bit difficult to make foreign friends in SILS.
I’ve got many foreign friends not because of SILS, but
16. because of Nijinokai. I am not exaggerating. This is my honest
opinion from my experience.
The impression that students from other departments have got:
(1) SILS students speak fluent English.
(2) So many weirdos in SILS
(3) No Border
(4) SILS Building is like somewhere outside Japan
(5) So many Americanized people
(6) So many returnee from the US
(7) Even those who are not returnee can speak English fluently
somehow.
My answers to them
(1) Not all of them. Some students are better at other foreign
languages.
(2) That’s really true. You will see.
(3) Because many of SILS students are sociable, I think that’s
true.
(4) When I was in SILS, I used to hear more than 3 languages
every time I get in SILS building. So, the SILS building was like
somewhere outside Japan, indeed.
(5) &(6)Indeed. Even some of those who never been to the US
become Americanized…for some reason.
(7)It really depends. Actually, there are some students who
cannot speak English fluently.
…so, to sum up, SILS is a nice department.lol
