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Real Stories of International Students in Japan Vol.1

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Many foreign students dream of studying in Japan. However, actually living in Japan as a foreign student can be more challenging than one might imagine, with language and cultural barriers. Nevertheless, international students are growing and gaining invaluable experience day by day as they adapt to their new environment.

In this "Real Stories of International Students in Japan" series, we spotlight international students who are currently studying in Japan and bring you their real voices. We hope you will feel the importance of cross-cultural understanding and international exchange through their real stories of their life in Japan, including their reasons for coming to Japan to study, the joys and troubles they experienced in their life in Japan, and their dreams for the future.

We hope that this series will provide new insights and encouragement to those interested in Japan and those considering studying abroad in the future. Please take a look at the real stories of international students studying in Japan.

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Introduction of International Students

  • Name:Avinash Shrestha.
  • Age:24 years old
  • Hometown:Kathmandu, Nepal
  • Study Abroad:Japanese Language School in Tokyo
  • Study Abroad Duration:From November 2023
  • Study Abroad Purpose:To work in Japan
  • Hobbies:Photography, Travel

Interviews with international students

Hi Avinash, nice to meet you! I am Chihiro, the person in charge. Nice to meet you.
What made you decide to study in Japan?

Originally, my dream was to work in Japan. To do so, I needed to understand not only the language but also Japanese culture, so I chose to study at a Japanese language school.

Why did you choose the Japanese language school you are attending now?

I am attending a Japanese language school that I heard from an agent that it has a good reputation. I chose this school because it offers practical Japanese language study and excellent job placement support.

What new skills or knowledge have you gained from your studies at the Japanese language school?

In addition to Japanese language, I am learning Japanese business etiquette and knowledge necessary for job hunting. I find business Japanese especially useful.

Is there anything in particular that surprised you about living in Japan?

The public areas are clean. I was also surprised that everyone is very strict with time. I really respect that.

Do you have any problems in your life in Japan?

At first, the language barrier was a major difficulty. It was especially difficult to keep up with the specialized terminology and the speed of everyday conversation.

Did you have any enjoyable experiences while studying abroad?

Yes, I have. I enjoy visiting beautiful natural and historical places in Japan and taking pictures of them.

I was shown a photo earlier, and Avinash is very good at taking pictures!
How did your Japanese language skills change through your study abroad?

Thank you, I will try to get it up on my site. I have it on my instagram.
I had quite a bit of trouble with Japanese at first, but I am finally able to keep up with the speed of everyday conversation. I am very happy.

It is wonderful to have a short study abroad experience!
What are your future plans and goals?

I would like to do a job where I can make use of my Japanese language skills. I don't have a specific job in mind yet, such as a job that would serve as a bridge between Nepal and Japan...

That's a nice goal!
Thank you, Avinash, for your time today.

Thank you very much for your time here.

A Day in Japan for International Students

Here is Avinash's daily schedule.

8:30 AM - Wake up and go to school

After waking up, we shower, get ready, and head from the dormitory to the Japanese language school.

9:00 AM - lesson

Japanese language classes. Students hone their skills in grammar, conversation, and listening comprehension.

12:00 PM - Lunch

Have lunch and talk with classmates.

1:00 PM - Class

Classes will continue to be held. Recently, many of the classes have been for learning business Japanese.

5:00 PM - Part-time

I work part-time at a convenience store. I think my Japanese has improved thanks to my part-time job.

9:30 PM -Dinner

After my part-time job is over, I buy food at the convenience store where I work and eat it in the dormitory.

22:00 PM - Free time

They spend their free time doing school homework or playing games on the computer.

23:30 PM - Bedtime

I'm going to bed to get ready for school tomorrow.

Abhinash told us how he is learning Japanese in Japan. If you are currently studying in Japan or plan to study in Japan in the future, please refer to this article.

1. watch Japanese dramas

Dramas are great for learning natural Japanese conversation and expressions. Since there are no subtitles, it is difficult to understand everything, but I do my best to watch them.

2. talk with Japanese people

I have a senior Japanese employee at my part-time job, so I try to talk with him as much as possible when I work on the same shift. I also find that talking with customers helps me learn Japanese.

3. Use of online lessons

I am taking speaking lessons at "Goandup Nihongo+". It is fun because I can learn while talking.

About Goandup Nihongo+

Goandup Nihongo+ is an online Japanese language learning service that offers Japanese language materials and Japanese speaking lessons with Japanese people for a monthly subscription of 500 yen.

Particularly popular are the Japanese online speaking lessons, which start at 30 minutes per lesson, allowing you to practice speaking one-on-one with a Japanese person, and to develop your speaking and listening skills in the time you have available.

To learn more, check out the article below.
▶︎ No Need to Study Abroad Anymore? Goandup Nihongo+, an Online Japanese Learning Service

For those of you who want to further your studies at a Japanese language school

The Japanese language attracts attention from around the world for its rich expressiveness and profound culture. From movies, music, and literature to everyday conversation, learning Japanese is not only a way to acquire a new language, but also a gateway to a deeper cultural understanding and a broader perspective.

For those of you who want to study Japanese more seriously, enter higher education in Japan, or find a job in Japan, taking your Japanese language skills to the next level is the first step in turning your dreams into reality. There are approximately 700 Japanese language schools in Japan with various characteristics, but it is not easy to select the best school for you.

Therefore, we will do our best to help you choose the perfect Japanese language school to realize your goals and dreams! If you have any questions or concerns about Japanese language schools, please feel free to contact us using the inquiry form below.

We will provide you with the best support to meet your Japanese language learning goals. We hope that our support will make your Japanese language study more fulfilling and fruitful.

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    Finally.

    We hope that through this series, we have been able to motivate those of you who are interested in Japanese culture and language and dream of studying abroad to do so. We sincerely hope that by proactively engaging in language study before and during your study abroad, as you do with our online Japanese lessons, you will have a more fruitful study abroad experience. Studying abroad is a great opportunity to discover a new you and expand your world.

    In this "Real Stories of International Students in Japan" series, we have collected valuable stories from international students with various backgrounds. Please check out the stories of other international students!


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