How come Japan?

As I often get asked about it, I decided to reflect a little about how my fascination for Japan did come along - now that I had a little time to actually do so. Maybe some things will become clearer that way...

Anime

Anno 2002 (at high school): Vision of Escaflowne (shown on german TV) becomes my first anime, that I become a fan of. Some fansites later I actually realize what an anime is and that Escaflowne is one. I also stumble across some simple Japanese "language courses" by some enthusiastic fans trough those sites.

Now aware of anime, I start to watch more anime on TV. And because of the general lack of anime in Germany I begin to watch online streams as well. Last Exile becomes the first anime, that I watch in Japanese with English subtitles online. Inspired from my friends I also start to read manga at that time.

Japanese

Fast forward to 2004: Having graduated from high school, completed my civilian service and being accepted for studies of Computer Science at the LMU university in Munich, I have to decide my minor subject. On the one hand I am surprised how many different choices there are, but on the other hand a lot of subjects seem so closely related to computer science, that they almost look a little too boring. So I decide to settle for the subject, which seems most interesting to me: Japanese Studies!

Two semesters later in winter 2005: As expected Japanese Studies take up a lot of my time, but for the first time, I am feeling like I can actually understand significant parts of at least some anime. Through the gained language proficiency I am also becoming able to start watching Japanese dramas.

Some semesters later in 2007: Through my courses of Japanese Studies (and also due to watching Japanese dramas, I guess), I develop a growing interest for Japanese Culture and Japan in general. In parallel I have become interested in the Software Engineering master program, which specializes in certain engineering aspects of Computer Science, that particularly interest me. The possibility for an semester abroad comes in as a plus, so I decide to apply for the program, and later I get accepted for the winter semester.

Japan

Welcome in the current day in 2009: I have completed all courses and exams for my master program except for my master thesis. While I have been extremely busy the first two semesters (2007-2008), this semester I had some more leisure, which enabled me focus once again a little more on my Japanese. Reviewing what I had learned and finally getting serious with learning the kanji via Heisig's method, I feel at least back on track regarding my Japanese.

Furthermore I have been accepted by the National Institute of Informatics in Tokyo for writing my master thesis there. This will be my first stay in Japan, so I am already very much looking forward to it! I will go there in March and stay for approximately six months with two of my fellow students, who also applied for NII.

Of course I do not know for sure now, but it might also be possible, that this stay will influence my decision of what I will do after graduating in some ways ;-)