Gunma University Kiryu Campus Photos!

This will possibly be my last blog post. If there are any questions or comments, please comment on the respective blog post. 

I will be dropping some photos of the Kiryu campus! 

Also called the 群馬大学工学部 (gunmadaigakukougakubu).

(Also, if you are planning on coming to here, get used to the 24-hour time format).

Above: This is the Co-Op Cafeteria building. The cafeteria is on the first floor while the Co-Op store is upstairs. The store sells bentos, onigiri, school supplies, books, etc. There is also seating upstairs plus a sink area. The store is open from 9:30-18:00. The cafeteria downstairs is split into two times for lunch and dinner. Lunch is from 11:00-14:00 and dinner is from 17:30-19:30. Lunch has more variety and also more people than during dinner time. Sometimes there are random promotions outside the front entrance, as you can see in the photo there is a stand selling yakitori. (I've seen cars promoting energy drinks before parked right in front, with people handing out samples). The store and cafeteria are weekdays only.

Above: the building on the left-hand side is the Administration building, also known as Building 1. The administration handles foreign students and international housing, although they don't know everything so you should also contact your personal supervisor(s) in the university just in case. Past it, you can see the Co-Op Cafeteria building.

Above: This is the third place where you can eat at, Cafe Toen. It only opens for lunch time from 11:00-14:00. Weekdays only. You have to talk to the cashier in order to place your order so make sure you can read the menu (or have a friend who can). There are also pictures and wax models so at least you'll have a rough idea of how it'll look like.

Above: A news bulletin board and vending machines. There are also ATMs on campus however they do not accept foreign-issued credit or debit cards. You will need to go to a post office or 7-11 or MEGA Don Quihote(shopping mall).

Above: This is the library here. This probably isn't a very good photo as the entrance isn't visible and also the library is a lot bigger than it looks in this photo. You can check out Japanese and English books with an ID. There are also study rooms, quiet study rooms, computers, etc. You can only enter the library if you have a Gunma University ID. The library is open from 9:00-22:00 on weekdays, 10:00-18:00 on Saturday, and closed on Sunday.

Above: The pond near the Gunma University Kiryu Campus Main Gate.

Above 2 Photos: These are of the inside of the bus. The buses are all referred to as the Orihime bus, with many different lines. You board the bus by getting on through the door in the middle of the bus, as shown in the first photo. There is a little orange box next to the door. Take one piece of white slip of paper from the box. You will then take a seat if there is space. The fare for all Orihime buses is a flat fare of 200 yen, no matter the distance. The second picture shows the front of the bus. You will drop your fare and the white slip of paper into the clear box next to the driver. Below the clear box is a change machine if you do not have the exact change. The change machine can change only 1000 yen bills and coins. Simply change your money right before getting off at your stop and then drop the 200 yen and the paper into the clear box. Leave through the door at the front of the bus. Also, at the front of the bus at the top, there is a display showing what is the next stop and whether or not if the bus will stop at the next stop. In the second photo, it says the next stop will be Honcho Go-Choume. The display board will sometimes vary, sometimes it will be malfunctioning or it will not say if it is stopping at the next stop. If you wish to get off at the next stop, simply press the button on the walls or poles. If you don't, the front door literally will not open for you, even if the bus has stopped and there are people getting on the bus.

Above: One of the Orihime buses stopped at the Gunma University Kiryu Campus Main Gate stop. I think that was one of the few that are actually colored yellow. I've seen pink ones as well. Just look out for the hiragana おりひめ. The front of the bus displays what route the bus is on. If it is heading towards the Shin-Kiryu station, then it'll say that. If it is heading towards the Girls' High School, then it'll say that. 

That is all that I have. Please enjoy this reaction mechanism of the Grignard reaction with an carboxylic acid chloride and I hope you will choose to go to Gunma University Kiryu Campus! The people and atmosphere here are excellent!

Last Day in Japan

My last week here in Kiryu, Gunma was full of laughter, fun, and sadness.

Last Saturday morning was very cloudy and foggy. Me and two France students went up to the Tokyo Skytree Tower. We climbed (elevatored?) all the way to the highest platform but we really couldn't see anything! It was really a disappointment. But afterwards I found the FujiTV shop and the Sumida Aquarium in the Skytree Town. Whheeeeee Shoppiinnnggggg~

My farewell party was my first experience in an izakaya. Although I'm not old enough to drink alcohol yet, I had a lot of fun drinking juice and talking with my laboratory members. They get more talkative once drunk! But most of their personality remains the same. Afterwards, we headed to karaoke! I was super sleepy by that time so I left early, but most of the people remained until 5 am in the morning! I had a ton of fun singing songs before I left though. Hontounisubarashiidesu! 

Sunday I just spent time on finishing my presentations and reports. -0- 

Monday was my last organic chemistry lab. I enjoyed it and all the other labs we had. :) 

Tuesdayyyyy Presentation Ddaayyyy

I was so nervous. I spent the last final moments hyperventilating to R. Luckily, the presentations appeared to go smoothly and people appeared to like it? But I saw some people dozing off! I guess it's difficult to pay attention when you don't understand the presentation. Afterwards I had some Himokawa Udon, a Kiryu specialty. It was difficult to eat and quite honestly, tasted like normal udon.

Wednesday, I woke up late. I think I deserved it for once! I managed to draw some of my lab members. At night, I headed out to karaoke with 3 other girls for a girls' night out~ I had a ton of fun with them and thank you for the precious memories.

Thursday was the day two reports were due. So I barely slept. But after class ended, I took a nice and long nap. I also ate the first sandwich in Japan. It was.....okay.....different from what I'm used to in America. I then went to play Mario Party and Mario Kart! SO OLD. He still had a Nintendo 64. AND IT WAS STILL WORKING! A miracle! I think I basically imposed myself and stayed over longer cause I knew I had to spend the day packing tomorrow. Shitsumongaarimasuka was played. Thank youuu~

Friday was my last laboratory seminar. I'm sorry I couldn't pay attention to your report as well as I wanted to. I had the last lunch with mah Viet friend~ we hung out in the international room and talked a lot. I also returned my bike, got my scholarship, and paid off my rent. I then got to work speedily trying to finish drawing everyone. But I didn't have enough time. D: gotta work on it in America. I left the lab after taking a final look around. I also took a video of my walk back to the International House! And gave away some of the stuff we had accumulated to the France students who are staying longer than us.

Saturday Morning. I got up at 6 and speedily cleaned up. At maybe 10 minutes after 7, some of the fourth year students came and helped me with my luggage and futon. We drove to the JR Kiryu Station. Three other students were already waiting for us. It was a cool and slightly drizzling morning. I spent the last couple of minutes talking with them. I'm still very sad about leaving but I hope to come back to Japan again and meet them again. 

Thank you all so much for the last six weeks! ;-;