Fulbright Orientation

So...I am in Tokyo right now for the Fulbright Orientation. I should have been arriving in Japan around this time like almost everyone else but my university started earlier. The hotel is pretty nice and is paid for the next 4 nights.

Met up with Reed and other Fulbrighers. The group is pretty interesting and most of us went out for dinner together. Everyone seems pretty nice and it seems like we will get along together. I wowed them with my appetite (not intentionally), but I still think Reed beats me in that category. Actual briefing (mostly redundant for me) will begin tomorrow morning and we have a dinner party later that night. Supposedly, the American ambassador to Japan is going to drop by.

Most "frustrating" thing I found out, one of the Fulbright Fellows (Keaton) went to Middlebury for language study this summer. He was in the same boat as I was at first; he got accepted but without financial aid. I decided to reject admission because it was wayyy too expensive for me ($9000 + plane ticket). However, Keaton called the office and asked about his financial aid. They were hesitant to give him an answer until he name-dropped Fulbright on them and wound up getting over 90% covered. If only.... I would be so much more prepared for my reaserch and time here if I actually went to Middlebury like I originally planned. Sigh... then again, I wasn't sure I was getting a Fulbright back then either. I just wish my Japanese was better...