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Real Stories of International Students in Japan Vol.1

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Real Stories of International Students in Japan Vol.1

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:Emma Clark
  • Age:22 years old
  • Hometown:Toronto, Canada
  • Study Abroad:Department of Japanese Literature, Faculty of Letters, National University of Kyoto
  • Study Abroad Duration:From April 2023
  • Study Abroad Purpose:Study of Japanese literature and history, further improvement of Japanese language skills
  • Hobbies:Reading classic literature and touring Japanese castles

Interviews with international students

Hello, Emma! I am Chihiro, the person in charge. Nice to meet you.
First of all, please tell us about the background behind your decision to study abroad.

Of course. I love classical literature and have a deep interest in Japanese literature in particular. I began studying Japanese when I was in high school, after reading The Tale of Genji. I decided to study at a university in Kyoto because I felt it was important to learn about Japan's rich history and culture firsthand in its own language.

What has been a particularly memorable experience since you came to Japan?

It was a tour of Kyoto's old temples and shrines. In particular, I will never forget how beautiful it was to visit Arashiyama during the season of autumn leaves. I was also able to visit the actual settings of classical works that I had studied in my Japanese literature class, which further deepened my understanding of literary works.

Indeed, it is a wonderful experience to experience Japanese culture and history.
Is there anything that surprised you about life in Japan?

The beauty of Japan's four seasons and the richness of the culture that accompanies them. Although Canada also has four seasons, I did not realize that seasonal events and foods were so deeply rooted in the culture as they are in Japan. In particular, the customs of celebrating cherry blossoms in spring and autumn leaves in fall made me feel that respect for nature and people's lives are deeply connected.

What difficulties did you encounter while studying abroad?

One of the difficulties was understanding advanced Japanese literary terms and ancient texts. Although I had studied Japanese before, I had a hard time interpreting technical terms and literary works. However, with the support of my teachers and classmates, I am gradually deepening my understanding.

I was very bad at ancient texts, so just imagining it gives me a headache... (laughs)
Are there any problems you are facing in your life as a foreign student?

Yes, the language barrier is still my biggest concern. I find it difficult to fully express my thoughts not only in daily conversation, but also in class discussions and in writing papers. There are also misunderstandings that arise due to cultural differences, but I view this positively as part of my study abroad experience.

It is wonderful to see the positives!
How did your study abroad experience change your understanding of the Japanese language and literature?

I feel that my ability to read and understand literary works has improved, not to mention my ability to speak Japanese. In particular, a deeper understanding of the history and culture behind literary works has made the meaning of these works clearer. I also found enjoyment in reading poems and tanka poems in Japanese.

What are your plans for the future?

If possible, I would like to study Japanese literature and history at a graduate school in Japan. It may be difficult...but if not possible, I would like to return to Canada to continue my research on Japanese literature. In the future, I would like to work in a job where I can spread the appeal of Japanese literature to the world.

Finally, do you have a message for those who are considering studying abroad?

At first, you may be bewildered by the language and cultural differences, but when you overcome them, you will find that you have grown a great deal. Studying abroad is a wonderful experience that will broaden your horizons and give you new values. Please have the courage to take on the challenge and follow the path of study abroad. Kyoto is especially recommended as it offers a deep sense of Japanese history and culture!

Thank you very much for your valuable talk today.
I am sure Emma will be accepted to a graduate school in Japan!

Thank you Chihiro! I will do my best!

A Day in Japan for International Students

Here is Emma Clark's daily schedule.

7:00 AM - Wake up

I try to get up early in the morning. I often eat Japanese bread and fruit for breakfast.

8:00 AM - Study Japanese Literature

In preparation for class, I do preparatory study of Japanese literature. I am currently reading "The Pillow Book" and am fascinated by its delicate expressions. I enjoy being able to gain a deeper understanding of Japanese history and culture through literary works.

10:00 AM - Class

Classes at the university are about to begin. As a student of the Faculty of Literature, I study a wide range of subjects from classical to contemporary literature. I actively participate in class and enjoy discussions.

12:00 PM - Lunch

I have lunch with my friends at the university's café-restaurant. Japanese set menus are well-balanced and delicious. There are also cafeterias and chain cafes on campus, so I change depending on the day.

1:30 PM - Study at the library

I often spend my afternoons in the university library. I read materials on Japanese literature and prepare reports. Sometimes I do research on the places where literary works were set.

4:30 PM - Plan a tour of Japanese castles

Recently, in between classes and studies, I plan to visit Japanese castles, which is one of my hobbies. I plan to visit a castle in the suburbs next weekend. Researching its history and architecture makes me more excited to go.

6:00 PM - Dinner

Since I live alone, I often buy my lunch at a supermarket or convenience store near my house. Japanese convenience stores have a really great selection of items, and I never get tired of going there. Eating the new desserts is one of my favorite things to do.

7:30 PM - Japanese Online Lesson

I have difficulty with Japanese intonation, so I take online lessons where I can talk with a Japanese teacher in order to learn natural Japanese. Since the teacher is a woman, she is easy to talk to and I always enjoy chatting and conversing with her. My university friends have complimented me on how natural my Japanese has become recently!

8:30 PM - Free time

Since I study in the morning and during the day, I spend my evenings relaxing and making the most of the time I have. I watch Japanese anime or write in my diary to reflect on my day. I also often talk with my family in Toronto via videophone since that is just the time they wake up.

11:00 PM - Bedtime

The time I go to bed varies from day to day, but I try to go to bed before the date changes. Inspired by the Japanese Pillow Book, I sometimes read a little before going to bed.

Recommended Japanese language study methods for international students

Emma Clark tells us how she 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 and animations

I learned a lot from watching Japanese dramas and anime. At first, there were many things I could not understand without subtitles, but my listening comprehension gradually improved. I especially enjoy learning expressions and slang that appear in everyday conversation.

2. write a diary in Japanese

By writing daily events in my diary in Japanese, I can practice writing. I started with simple sentences at first, but I try to actively use newly learned Japanese as much as possible. It is a little embarrassing, but sometimes I show my diary to my teachers and friends and ask them to correct it.

3. Japanese language workshops and language exchanges

There are many language exchange groups and Japanese language study groups in Kyoto. Studying together with other foreign students helps me to understand the Japanese language from different perspectives. In addition, the language exchange has allowed me to build a relationship where we can learn from each other by teaching my English skills to the Japanese.

4. online lessons in Japanese

Since Japanese study groups and language exchanges are infrequent, I try to take speaking lessons on Goandup Nihongo+, an online service that allows me to utilize my spare time. Since I can learn while conversing, I think it helps me develop my speaking and listening skills in particular.

5. explore Japanese cities on foot

It is also important to actually go out into the city and practice reading signs, menus, and information boards. Japan is full of historical sites and beautiful nature, so we recommend that you visit various parts of Japan to both learn and explore.

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.

    Emma Clark's study abroad experience in Kyoto is a wonderful example of an in-depth exploration of Japanese culture and language. Her experience of the beauty of Japan's four seasons, the fascination of classical literature, and her daily language study show how enriching studying abroad in Japan can be. The language barriers and cultural differences that one faces when studying abroad are a great challenge, but the growth and learning that one can achieve by overcoming them is immeasurable.

    In addition, Emma's efforts to learn Japanese through online Japanese speaking lessons and Japanese dramas and anime are valuable tips that will help her before she studies abroad.

    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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