Exchange Student Things

This is the place where you can feel free to submit some when you have ideas, ask questions about being an exchange student, or share your own exchange experience (either as a host family or a student).

[ny0om-deactivated20200812]

What’s the grammatical difference between

雨そうです and 雨のようだ

Aren’t both saying “it seems like it will rain/looks like rain” ?

[ny0om-deactivated20200812]

Also 雨が降るらしいです？

[aidoku-deactivated20191023]

雨だそうです (gotta have the だ) you’ve heard that it will rain from an outside source and you believe that it’s probably true (weather forecast told you, etc.)

雨のようです you looked out the window and there are dark clouds so you think it will rain. (making a direct observation)

雨らしいです you’ve heard that it will rain, but you’re not particularly confident that it’s actually going to happen. (Weather forecast told you but they often get it wrong, etc.)

[japanese-with-anime]

Article: Verbs in Japanese - How do They Work? - Conjugation Grammar

[hazel3017]

So I’ve been working with a lot of Brits lately, and inevitably, they’ll ask about Norwegian phrases (being that we’re in Norway), and someone recently pointed out that a lot of them seemed rooted in fruits and vegetables after I had called him a potato as a compliment. He was not, in fact, very accepting of this compliment, as he thought I meant he was a couch potato, which apparently means something entirely different than what I was trying to say.

So having to clear up that whole thing, I made a list of some of my favourite Norwegian words and expressions based on fruits and vegetables that might not translate well in English!

Du er litt potet, du - You’re a bit of a potato: Compliment, meaning you can do a bit of everything. Like the potato, you’re versatile.

Din løk - You onion: Insult, meaning someone is a bit dim. Like the onion, if you peel it all away there’ll be nothing there.

Det er bare blåbær - It’s just blueberries: Expression, meaning something is simple, or something is only a minor issue.

Bite i det sure eplet - Take a bite of the sour apple: Expression, meaning having to do or accept something you don’t want to or like.

Borte som ei sviske - Gone like a prune: Expression, meaning something has completely disappeared.

Dra dit pepper’n gror - Go where the pepper grows. Insult, meaning ‘go to hell’.

Fotsopp - Mushroom foot: Medical condition, meaning athlete’s foot.

Eplekjekk - Apple handsome: Expression, meaning someone who is being cocky.

Ferskenhud - Peach skin: Compliment, meaning soft, nice skin.

Få mye pepper - Get a lot of pepper: Expression, meaning getting a lot of criticism/being reprimanded.

Høy på pæra - High on pears: Expression, meaning someone who is arrogant (head gets so big it looks like a pear)

Som plommen i egget - Like the yolk in the egg. Expression, meaning someone is perfectly relaxed and comfortable.

Nappe seg i løken - Yank the onion: Expression, meaning a man who masturbates.

Smårips - Little redcurrant: Expression, meaning young girls. Often in connection with an older person taking a romantic/sexual interest in someone significantly younger and/or underage.

Sur som en sitron - Sour like a lemon: Expression, meaning someone is angry.

Tråkke i salaten - Step in the salad: Expression, meaning having done something inappropriate or something foolish.

Tyttebærpoliti - The lingonberry police: Expression with a negative connotation, meaning a security guard. Originated with the private security firm Securitas because of the logo.

Være på bærtur - To be picking berries: Expression, meaning someone is completely lost/wrong.

Slippe en bønne - Release a bean: Expression, meaning someone farted.

Prinsessen på erten - The princess on the pea: Insult (sort of), meaning someone is high maintenance. A reference to the fairy tale the Princess and the Pea.

[linguistisch]

How To Pack For Exchange

So in two weeks I’m leaving for Austria to go on exchange, and two years ago I was in the same situation about to leave for Brazil. So now I have experienced one and am preparing for another, thinking a lot about what I have learned and can improve on now. So I have a few suggestions.

Most of this stuff would best relate to people going on year long high school exchanges, as that’s what I did and am doing again but I’m sure it would apply to other kinds as well.

In all reality the amount you need to pack is one large checked suitcase and a medium sized backpack. BUT… you need a small suitcase to take with you on trips. I was able to borrow from my host family, but really… just bring one. But don’t use it as extra packing space, just bring it empty or basically empty..

Bring some things to decorate your room! I brought my little toys I kept on my bookshelf, my pride flags, and a few other things. It’s nice if you can put something up in your room and make it feel like yours.

Roll your clothes. It’s pretty simple just do it, it’ll make life easier

Don’t bother packing in an organized way… just make it fit. If you’re like me, most of the time when you travel you don’t really unpack but rather make your bag organized so you just grab what you need. You’ll have to unpack anyways so…

If there are certain products that you’re very picky about (for me, it’s conditioner) bring a bit of it, it will take you a second to find the brand you like in your host country and you can use something manageable in the meantime

You’re going to buy the clothes you like in your host country more. It’s going to make you feel good dressing like the locals and fitting in. Don’t bring too much because you will end up just leaving those in your closet and wearing all the new stuff.

Pick your shoes carefully

Sort all your clothes into yes, no, and maybe piles… look at them and yes should be the smallest pile. Do it again until it is, then go through the maybes

Don’t buy clothes in your home country before going on exchange. You’re gonna change your style when you get there.

Pack gifts first, it’ll give you better perspective on what to bring

WEIGH YOUR SUITCASE!!! just jump on a scale, then jump on it again holding your bag. Don’t go over the 50lbs/23kg limit or you will be really awkward at the airport when you have to take stuff out.

If you’re with rotary, wear your blazer in the airport. Just do it.

You should have like a few different kinds of gifts. Have personal gifts, I’m bringing dyed fabrics I made. Bring something sort of touristy. And bring cheap but fun stuff. DADS LOVE HATS

if anyone else has suggestions feel free to add on!

[00jo00]

Bring no more than two weeks of clothing! And if you do make sure that extra amount you would be fine leaving behind. I brought two large suitcases on exchange. One was just filled with stuff I would end up using or leaving behind (gifts band aids, shaving cream, face wash etc) because then you have plenty of room for souvenirs! Airlines don’t really care about the size of your personal item as long as it fits under the seat, don’t worry about having exact dimensions. There are things you can get in country that don’t need to be brought or tight on space (umbrella, winter jacket, etc). Personally I need my own pillow after doing multiple exchanges due to terrible bed situations, I also bring a small blanket that can be brought into the plane.

[usagistudies-jp]

A very handy little chart I got as a ‘gift’ for completing lessons on marugoto!

(*•̀ᴗ•́*)و ̑̑ feel free to print it out or save it to your phone I personally keep a katakana chart above my desk because I rarely write/type them, making it a lot easier to forget

[takjeu]

Advice on better Chinese handwriting by “going” on Stack Exchange:

1) Ensure correct proportions between all parts. Don’t scrunch in. Don’t squeeze down. Don’t squeeze together.

2) Radicals should be smaller on top and thinner on sides. Don’t make radicals the same size as the rest of the character.

3) Horizontal strokes appear much nicer if they go up at a slight angle.

4) Ensure vertical strokes don’t go off at a weird angle and if there are multiple horizontal strokes make sure they are in harmony.

5) Top to bottom = thin to fat

6) Ensure left hand side radical height is similar in height to rest of the character (this has some exceptions).

7) Make sure second tier horizontal lines are long enough and longer than first tier horizontal lines.

[studyingsenseless]

Hi everyone, I’m back with another writing challenge for you! I tried my best, but please let me know if I had any repeats from last month. 

If you don’t know about this challenge: Want to maintain or improve your writing skills in your target language this summer? Try this 30-day writing challenge for June: Every day, answer the following prompts in your target language (in a personal journal or in a tumblr post). Good luck!

Translate the first few sentences of your favorite book into your language (make sure to include the author and title!!).

If you could live in any era (i.e. the roaring ‘20s), what would it be and why?

Write a summary of your favorite TV show or movie.

List 3-5 facts about your country (or your family’s country of origin).

What are 5-8 songs that would be on your summer playlist? Translate their titles into your target language.

Look up and list 3-5 slang terms in your language.

Describe your favorite summer outfit.

Name 3 things that have made you smile this week.

Write today’s to-do list in your target language.

How will you improve as a student next year?

What is one goal you hope to achieve by the end of this month?

Name a funny childhood memory.

Where is your favorite study space? Why?

Translate a few lines from a favorite song.

Give a basic physical description of yourself (if you are posting online, protect your own privacy - don’t list anything super specific!!).

Briefly describe some of your personality traits.

What’s one nice thing that you’ve done for someone else recently?

Why do you want to learn the language you are studying?

List 3 useful phrases in your language (such as “Where is the bathroom?” or “There is an emergency.” I feel like we never learn these things in class lol)

Name some terms and phrases that are specific to the career you are pursuing.

Describe your favorite scene from a book, show, or movie.

What would you do with $100? Why?

What’s one good thing about the world in this day and age? What’s one bad thing?

What are some things on your bucket list and why?

What is one thing (food, a scent, a stuffed animal, etc.) that is nostalgic/brings back memories? Why?

What is one thing that stresses you out, and what do you do to de-stress/avoid stress when you have to deal with that thing?

Write a short letter to your past self (maybe 5 years ago?).

What is your Myers-Briggs personality type? Describe it? Is it accurate?

What is one worry/problem you have right now, and what are you doing/going to do to fix it?

What is the nicest thing someone has said to you/about you?

Favorite memory from this month?

If you participate in this challenge and post your prompt answers, make sure to tag me with #studyingsenseless or #writingchallengejuly ! I’ll be liking/reblogging them :)

[rinkodesu]

Saturday langspo x

[jibunstudies]

One of the questions I get asked the most often is “How do I make my Japanese more colloquial?” or “How do I sound more like a native?” There’s also a lot of discussion about “Textbook Japanese” versus Japanese you’ll hear while on the train, in line at the store, or out with friends.

This post is quite long and explanatory, so here is a list of what’s covered under the cut!

TABLE OF CONTENTS 1. Plain form 2. Dropping particles 3. です to だ 4. Sentence ending particle の 5. 〜ています → 〜ている → 〜てる 6. て form does not always equal command 7. じゃない & じゃん 8. と to って 9. さ 10. なんか 11. なんて

Keep reading

[nyahongo]

This is incredible, thank you so much! I just got to lesson 8 in Genki, and I see ~だ in here! :D

[words-and-coffee]

“You get a strange feeling when you’re about to leave a place. Like you’ll not only miss the people you love but you’ll miss the person you are now at this time and this place, because you’ll never be this way ever again.”

— Azar Nafisi, Reading Lolita in Tehran

[langblog]

Do you have any Chinese music recommendations?

ooohh yes i do!! i’ll link some songs below:

很不低調 - Khalil Fong

味道 - Khalil Fong ft. Zion. T & Crush (this song is half in korean btw)

李白 - 李榮浩

接下來如何 - Hello Nico (i seriously cannot recommend this song enough i love it so much)

花 - Hello Nico

荒蕪 - Hello Nico

小日 - Heidi

我的新衣 - VAVA

魚 - 怕胖團

幸福特調 - Show Lo ft. Suzy

Mood - Meng Jia & Jackson Wang

On Call - Luhan

某时某刻 - Luhan

勛章 - Luhan

时间煮雨 - 吴亦凡 

There Is a Place - 吴亦凡

What U Need? - Lay

独角戏 - Lay

皇冠 - 黄子韬

T.A.O - 黄子韬

Lucky One (Chinese Version) - EXO

Growl (Chinese Version) - EXO (this song is kinda the reason why i started learning mandarin lol)

上瘾 - EXO M 

雷电 - EXO M 

if anyone else has any recommendations feel free to add on to this! :)

[xuexiblr]

I’m Sorry - Acrush

行动派 - Acrush

给我一个理由忘记 - Xufang Deng

给未来的自己 - Fish Leong

后来 - Rene Liu

有太多人 - Gary

還沒往下想 - Evan Yo

南山南 - 马頔

星月神话 - 金莎

凉凉 - Aska Yang

kinda a wide range in terms of genre but all pretty good

[dailydoseofkorea]

Korean Culture- Hanbok

For this culture post, we’ll be learning about 한복 (han-bok)! Y’all, I got up at 5am to write this post because some youtube studyblr like motivated me xD I hope you enjoy this post!

한복 (han-bok) is a traditional outfit for both men and women. Traditional women’s hanbok consists of 저고리 (jeo-go-ri), a blouse shirt or a jacket, and 치마 (chi-ma), a wrap-around skirt, which is usually worn full. The ensemble is often called 치마 저고리 (chi-ma jeo-go-ri). Men’s 한복 (han-bok) consists of 저고리 (jeo-go-ri) and loose-fitting 바지 (ba-ji), which are pants.  Although the term literally means “Korean clothing”, 한복 (han-bok) usually refers specifically to clothing of the 조선 (Jo-seon) period and is worn as semi-formal or formal wear during traditional festivals and celebrations. 

한복 (han-bok) is classified according to its purposes: everyday dress, ceremonial dress, and special dress. Ceremonial dresses are worn on formal occasions, including a child’s first birthday, a wedding, or a funeral. Special dresses are made for shamans and officials.

한복 (han-bok) is the traditional attire of the Korean people. It was worn daily up until just 100 years ago, it was originally designed to facilitate ease of movement. But now, it is only worn on festive occasions or special anniversaries. It is a formal dress and most Koreans keep a 한복 (han-bok) for special times in their life such as wedding, 추석 (Chu-seok) (Korean Thanksgiving), and 설날 (Seol-nal) (Korean New Year’s), Children wear hanbok to celebrate their 돌잔치 (dol-jan-chi) (a child’s first birthday) etc.

Aristocrats wore a 갓 (gat) on their heads as well as a slightly longer  저고리 (jeo-go-ri)

[ling-n-lang]

pronunciation rules in Korean & further reading

a lot of this stuff you learn naturally but it’s nice to know about it beforehand. if you’re barely learning hangul then don’t worry about it tbh! it’s just a reference for some of the rules in case there’s a word with pronunciation that you don’t understand

[solipsexual]

Beautiful Language Fact:

In French, you call a person you love your “pomme de terre” which literally translated means your “hold on the earth,” or the one who keeps you here on earth, the one who keeps you grounded.

[cosmicrystalwitch]

[nicistrying]

Lmao, an actual nice thing you call people you love is your ‘petit chou’, your ‘little cabbage’. I’ve seen people on Instagram refer to their followers as ‘biscuits’ and ‘loups’ (wolves). French terms of affection make about as much sense as their numbering system 🤷🏼‍♀️

[plyglct]

Verbs relating to cooking in Mandarin

冷冻 (lěngdòng) to freeze

解冻 (jiědòng) to defrost

蒸 (zhēng) to steam

炒 (chǎo) to sauté

削皮 (xuēpí) to peel

切片 (qiēpiàn) to slice

注水 (zhùshuǐ) to pour

搅拌 (jiǎobàn) to mix

搅打 (jiǎodǎ) to whisk

煮沸 (zhǔfèi) to boil

煎 (jiān) to fry

擀 (gǎn) to roll

搅动 (jiǎodòng) to stir

烘制 (hōngzhì) to bake

拷制 (kǎozhì) to roast

烧烤 (shāokǎo) to grill

[exchangestudentthings]

What are your opinions on having multiple host families during your exchange apposed to just one. Would you develop a stronger and long lasting relationship with the host family if you stayed with just one? Do you feel unsettled all the time having to move between 3 or 4?

I only had 1 host family, but my brother had 3 on his exchange! The second host family he changed from due to some issues, but his first “welcome/temporary” host family he continued to keep in contact with and visit even after he moved to his third “permanent”  host family! In the end he left the country with great relationships to both, so just because you have more than one doesn’t mean you can’t develop lasting relationships.

-M

[exchangestudentthings]

Any advices for exchange students that only go for 1 semester? :(

Just try to make the most of it! It’ll be hard since you may be dealing with some culture shock and homesickness the first month (although not everyone does!), but remember that your time there is limited and to do as much as possible! (which I feel really applies to any exchange students)

-M