CP#4

I usually hang-out with my second CP, Nishimura Takuya, at Starbucks a couple times a week.  We both have thing or ice coffee, so its a good break from our busy schedules.  The first time we met up, we discussed each other's goals for the future.  He, graduating with his bachelor's from a private sports college in Japan, wants to pursue his master's in Sports Management at FSU.  I suggested that he get in contact with one of my previous Japanese Instructor, Brian-sensei, as he went to FSU for the same program and has a set job with ESPN.  Furthermore, Nishimura-san explained the diffrence between Japanese and American education.  In Japan, it is common to take entrance exams to enter middle school, high school, and most importantly, college.  The most serious exams are for the collegiate level as the higher your scores, the easier it is to enter a prestigious school on a big or full scholarship.  That is how Nishimura-san was able to enter his school as he did well on his exams and had a nice basketball record, which gave him a spot on the college team.  Due to his height, he has always had a leg-up in basketball and he says it is still an unpopular sport since many Japanese people tend to be petite.  He still plays here in America, but this time with the CIES students and his roommates.  I have never been athletic and I shared my only sport experience, which is Kendo.  I was suprised to hear that it wasn't as popular either in Japan. Nishimura-san said its due to the fact that it is such an old sport and requires exceptional discipline that people rather put towards soccer or baseball in Japan.  Oh la! And I was really looking forward to finding as many dojos as possible once I reached Japan!