# Moments by Serina **@flowerserina23** ## Quick Navigation - [Find Partners](https://www.hellotalk.com/partners.md): Discover language exchange partners worldwide - [Language Exchange](https://www.hellotalk.com/partners/exchange.md): Practice with native speakers worldwide - [Moments](https://www.hellotalk.com/moments.md): Share your language learning journey - [Topics](https://www.hellotalk.com/topics.md): Explore trending topics and discussions - [Chat & Messaging](https://www.hellotalk.com/features/chat.md): Text, voice, and video conversations - [Voice Rooms](https://www.hellotalk.com/features/voiceroom.md): Join live audio conversations - [Live Streaming](https://www.hellotalk.com/features/live-streaming.md): Interactive classes and language sessions - [Certified Teachers](https://www.hellotalk.com/features/certified-teachers.md): Learn from professional language instructors - [Immersive Learning](https://www.hellotalk.com/features/immersive-learning.md): Learn everywhere with instant translations - [Translation Tools](https://www.hellotalk.com/features/translation.md): Instant translation between any languages - [AI-Powered Apps](https://www.hellotalk.com/aiapps.md): Access specialized learning tools - [Language AI Apps](https://www.hellotalk.com/aiapps.md): Discover our AI-powered language learning applications - [All Features](https://www.hellotalk.com/features.md): Explore all learning features and tools - [Download](https://www.hellotalk.com/download.md): Get HelloTalk on iOS and Android Showing 10 of 31 moments --- ## 1. 7/23/2025 Hello there 🎀 I speak Japanese as my native language, and I have embraced learning English, French, Korean, and German along my journey. Living and studying in Germany has given me a chance to immerse myself deeply in new languages and cultures. Today, I want to share the advice and experiences that have helped me navigate language learning with honesty and clarity, hoping it inspires your own journey. Travel and Full Immersion 🧳 Take Intensive Classes in the Beginning 👩🏻‍💻 Learn Through Music and Films 🎶 Talk with Others on Language Exchange Apps 📲 Use Children’s Books and Songs 🧸 Practice Alone with Apps Like Lingo Deer 🤳🏻 Changing the language of your phone absolutely helps too. 📱 How Long Does It Take to Become Fluent in Japanese? 🇯🇵 Japanese is considered one of the most difficult languages for native English, French, or German speakers to learn. According to the Foreign Service Institute (FSI), which trains US diplomats, here is a general idea: Estimated time to reach fluency: around 2200 classroom hours That means: 5 to 7 years with regular study (if you're learning part-time) Or around 2 to 3 years if you study intensively (like full immersion, living in Japan, using it daily)If I had to share one ultimate piece of advice from my experience, it would be this : immerse yourself fully in the country where the language lives.Learning a language isn’t a straight path. It takes time, patience, and a lot of trial and error. There will be moments of doubt, frustration, and even burnout. That’s part of the process. I have more advices but I'm a little limited so don't hesitate to reach in DM 👋 **Language**: English *95 likes · 5 comments · 1625 views* [View this moment](https://www.hellotalk.com/moments/D0NaWWpJE1OtHD.md) --- ## 2. 6/2/2025 Halli Hallo. Today I want to talk about Hokkaido, but more precisely the Ainus. When we think of Japan, we often imagine temples, cherry blossoms, anime, or bustling cities—but few speak of the Ainu, the indigenous people of northern Japan. Their language, culture, and deep connection to nature have survived centuries of silence and erasure. The Ainu lived in harmony with the land—honoring the spirits in rivers, animals, and even everyday tools. Their traditions, like the bear-sending ceremony (iomante), show a worldview of reverence and reciprocity. Although official numbers are low, many more Japanese may carry Ainu ancestry without knowing—my own family included. For years, this identity was hidden out of shame. But now, more Ainu voices are rising again, with pride and quiet strength. If you want to know more about them, please contact me in DM 🌺😌 **Language**: English *131 likes · 2 comments · 2111 views* [View this moment](https://www.hellotalk.com/moments/OaMWzUtwxOVtHD.md) --- ## 3. 5/23/2025 Hello everyone!! 🏝️🌊 Having myself indigenous roots, I felt like I needed to talk about Okinawa today. Okinawa is becoming more famous and many people know more about it. Okinawa was once an independent kingdom — the Ryukyu Kingdom — with its own language, customs, diplomacy, and spiritual traditions. Colonization by Japan in the late 1800s, the devastation of WWII, and now the burden of foreign military bases have all taken a toll on Ryukyuan identity. The Ryukyuan society was traditionally matrilineal in many important ways, especially before Japanese assimilation policies began to erode those structures. In villages, women had strong community bonds. Mothers, grandmothers, and aunts played active roles in decision-making and social structure. When Japan annexed Ryukyu and imposed patriarchal systems (especially during the Meiji era), women’s roles were diminished, and matrilineal customs were suppressed. At this day, anti-base activism is strong and ongoing in Okinawa. Many Okinawans have long opposed the heavy presence of U.S. military bases on their island. If you want to know more about it, please DMs, I'm limited to 2000 characters but I have a lot to say about Okinawa. **Language**: English *37 likes · 3 comments · 844 views* [View this moment](https://www.hellotalk.com/moments/tLPJMDpGHuHDHD.md) --- ## 4. 4/30/2025 みんな, I'm not a huge fan of this topic but I want to share my favorite animes with you. Maybe it can open an interesting conversation 🫣 My favorites : - Attack on Titan - Naruto - Parasyte - Death Note - The Promised Neverland - Assassination Classroom - Erased When I was younger I loved - Fairy Tail but got a bit disappointed with the last seasons. Also - Bleach (but I forgot everything 😂) I also loved - Demon's Slayer but never finished it. Another anime that fascinated me was Code Geass. My favorite genre, even if it look like I love shojo (with my style) is gore, horror, psychology and seinen 😋 **Language**: English *134 likes · 38 comments · 2008 views* [View this moment](https://www.hellotalk.com/moments/qFANuxTSZ2rMDD.md) --- ## 5. 4/17/2025 Japanese people don't help?! I want to talk about it today. Some people (especially visitors or foreigners) might feel like Japanese people don’t “help” others in an obvious or Western-style way, like jumping in to assist a stranger loudly or directly. I want o talk about it today : that’s not because they don’t care or lack compassion. It's a different cultural expression of it. Japanese compassion (jihi) is just wrapped in modesty, restraint, and respect for boundaries. 🪷 Cultural Norm: Avoiding Interference In Japan, there's a strong social value placed on not imposing on others and not interfering unless invited. This ties into the cultural idea of meiwaku (迷惑), which means causing trouble or inconvenience to others. Because of this: People may hesitate to jump in unless they’re sure help is needed. They often help quietly, in subtle or indirect ways, to avoid embarrassment or making someone feel dependent or exposed. For example, if you look lost in a train station, someone might wait until they’re sure you’re struggling before offering help or they may guide you silently without saying much. 🪷Group Harmony (Wa 和) The Japanese deeply value social harmony (wa). So they may avoid standing out, even when helping. Assistance often happens within in-groups (like family, coworkers, or community), where responsibilities are clear. In emergencies, though, the collective support is powerful during disasters like earthquakes or tsunamis, Japanese people are widely praised for orderly, compassionate behavior and massive volunteer responses. 🪷Helping Behind the Scenes Compassion in Japan is often shown through: Respectful behavior, like giving up a seat or returning lost items. **Language**: English *62 likes · 5 comments · 1038 views* [View this moment](https://www.hellotalk.com/moments/TEt0xFuFIGvWDD.md) --- ## 6. 4/16/2025 Yahhoo 🌸 Hmm, today I feel like talking about Shinto ⛩️. I think many people know what shinto is, since you learn japanese so I won't write a big essay 😆 I actually feel deeply connected to shinto because this is an animist religion. I'm not necessarily religious tho. Shinto is more a way of life than a strict religion, and many Japanese people themselves practice it in that exact way: not as a religion, but as a set of spiritual, cultural, and nature-based traditions (mixed with Buddhism). Shinto focuses on simple, meaningful acts: purification, gratitude, seasonal festivals, respect for ancestors. So it's perfect if you love forests, rivers, mountains : Shinto honors those places as sacred. Since I'm limited to 1000 characters, I will share the link of 3 articles I wrote about : - Gratitude and Respecting the Flow of Nature, inspired by Buddhist Mujo and Shinto Harmony and - How gratitude and flowing with nature (Mujo & Shinto harmony) help with accepting life ☀️ - And I personally live in Harmony with Nature through Shinto, without being religious. You can read if you're interested by this topic : https://boo08sasaki.wixsite.com/seri-2/blog/categories/spirituality Are you interested by shinto, did you already visit a shrine ⛩️? **Language**: English *63 likes · 12 comments · 988 views* [View this moment](https://www.hellotalk.com/moments/qQEVEbIMSlrWDD.md) --- ## 7. 4/13/2025 Hellow🌸 It's been now more a year than I landed to Germany 🇩🇪. Here, I'm a student in Transcultural Studies and I also work as a nanny. I've been learning German very intensively but it wasn't always easy. The beginning was so hard and there were moments I felt alone but I overall, grew up a lot in this experience. I wrote everything on a blog post, from the preparation to the arrival, how I manage work and studies... And some advices for people who would like to do the same. If you're interested : https://boo08sasaki.wixsite.com/seri-2/post/a-journey-of-growth-my-experience-as-an-international-student-and-nanny-in-germany 🌸☺️ **Language**: English *52 likes · 6 comments · 1011 views* [View this moment](https://www.hellotalk.com/moments/VMNLqIWORxJWDD.md) --- ## 8. 4/11/2025 What are the main reasons you learn the languages you are learning now? Is there any culture shock you encountered when you visit a country for the first time? 🌸🤔 "Culture shock" is one of the reasons why I wanted to study social sciences back then. Understanding that everything is subjective. I'm studying social sciences btw, my favorite topic always been gender. If you want to know more about my studies (Transcultural Studies and why gender roles is my favorite topic, I wrote an article about it : https://boo08sasaki.wixsite.com/seri-2/post/in-a-world-full-of-rich-cultural-diversity-the-meaning-of-gender-is-anything-but-fixed-explori) 😊 **Language**: English *47 likes · 3 comments · 723 views* [View this moment](https://www.hellotalk.com/moments/xuq5tzNcqLBWDD.md) --- ## 9. 4/7/2025 After a long break from Hello talk (sorry I didn't answer to many people 😅), I've realized that some people been triggered by some of my posts portraying women's rights evolution in Japan. Just a reminder : I'm a social sciences student so talking about history is literally part of my job. Secondly, even if Japan always been more or less male dominant, it wasn't only fully patriarchal. Women had comparatively more rights and autonomy during the Heian period (794–1185) than in many later eras of Japanese history. Heian Period (794–1185): Women had relatively more freedom. Noblewomen could own property, get educated, write, participate in politics and even divorce. Marriage was matrilocal—husbands often moved into the wife’s household. Meiji Period (1868–1912): Japan’s modernization paradoxically further reduced women’s autonomy. The Meiji Civil Code (1898) institutionalized male dominance: Husbands controlled all family property. Women needed permission from male relatives to marry or divorce. Wives were legally subordinate to their husbands. Women were banned from participating in politics or voting. Today I'm a student at the university, I'm a traveler and sometimes a worker thanks to these reform and if this is trigger some, I'm not sorry about it. For everyone, especially women : keep learning languages, traveling and exploring the world 🌸🌹 **Language**: English *76 likes · 14 comments · 1081 views* [View this moment](https://www.hellotalk.com/moments/t5STSkZlxTPWDD.md) --- ## 10. 3/11/2025 People are often surprised to know that my name is Serina. They often think this is even an English name. Probably because of Serena Gomez, I don't know.... 😅 But Serina is a name in Japan. My kanji is 芹那. Yes this is relatively modern compared to many ancient Japanese names but this isn't a name a chose to travel in Europe. Serina isn't the only japanese name with so called western influence. Many Japanese girls are named Sara, Elina, Rina, Marina, Erika.... And this isn't a second English name. We are born with! **Language**: English *87 likes · 14 comments · 1529 views* [View this moment](https://www.hellotalk.com/moments/SlNGrGWlOTOcDD.md) --- [View all moments on HelloTalk](https://www.hellotalk.com/partners/flowerserina23/moments.md) [Back to Serina's profile](https://www.hellotalk.com/partners/flowerserina23.md) --- ## Language Exchange Partners - [English Exchange Partners](https://www.hellotalk.com/partners/exchange/english.md): Connect with native English speakers - [Spanish Exchange Partners](https://www.hellotalk.com/partners/exchange/spanish.md): Connect with native Spanish speakers - [French Exchange Partners](https://www.hellotalk.com/partners/exchange/french.md): Connect with native French speakers - [Japanese Exchange Partners](https://www.hellotalk.com/partners/exchange/japanese.md): Connect with native Japanese speakers - [German Exchange Partners](https://www.hellotalk.com/partners/exchange/german.md): Connect with native German speakers - [Chinese Exchange Partners](https://www.hellotalk.com/partners/exchange/chinese.md): Connect with native Chinese speakers - 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