Ben Sang (Auckland University) on exchange at Jouchi (Sophia) University in Tokyo

I'm presently studying at Jouchi (Sophia) University in Tokyo, for one academic year (two semesters). My major back home is Japanese, so naturally the best place to not only learn the language, but experience the culture is to come to Japan! It has been one of the best decisions I have ever made in life...

I had taken two years of Japanese at university before coming out here, and I am really glad that I had a solid foundation of hiragana, katakana and some kanji before navigating my way around Japan. It helps a lot to be able to read at least all the signs written in hiragana.

Last semester I took a regular Japanese course, and several other classes in areas such as Linguistics, History and Japanese Literature. This semester, I chose to advance my Japanese language skills even further, by focusing on Intensive Japanese which lasts three hours a day.

My advice for future exchange students would be to seriously consider which path you take. Intensive language programs can be just that. They can be very time-consuming, you end up mentally exhausted at the end of the day and you only have a limited amount of time to explore the country.  However, at the same time, your Japanese comprehension (and more importantly, your confidence) will radically improve, even after a few weeks. Despite all the hard work, I am really grateful that I chose to opt into this class for the second semester.

I chose to live at Azalea House - an international apartment residence that Jouchi offered me. While this may limit the amount of Japanese that does get spoken around the home, I have broadened my friendship base with people from around the world. It also means that I have turned to classmates, and joining clubs to meet Japanese people and hopefully make lifelong friends.

I wholeheartedly agree with the others on this website that joining a club might be one of the most useful things that you do! Jouchi has clubs for pretty much every interest you could imagine - from hip-hop dance to traditional Japanese instruments, and art-museum-viewing to ultimate-frisbee clubs. There is definitely a possibility that you will fall into the 'gaijin trap' and spend all your time talking to foreigners - be conscious of it, and make sure you get out there and interact with the millions of people in Japan!

One thing that you really have to pay attention to is your money... Budgeting is really the most important thing ever! Tokyo is the city of play, and you can spend money like water if you are not careful! This is why I am really grateful for the Sasakawa scholarship. It has definitely opened up some invaluable opportunities and experiences that I have learnt a lot from.

You do end up spending the majority of your savings on food. It's not that food has to be expensive, but eating is important. There are plenty of places to eat a decent sized meal for about 500 yen; and usually it's cheaper to just cook a meal for yourself. I budget at around 300-400 yen for dinner a night, and eating at the university campus is actually a really good deal too. The best way I save money on dinner is by cooking for your friends as well. It'll definitely bring the joint cost down and it'll also add a lot of variety to what you are able to cook.

Whether you choose to come to Tokyo or another part of this amazing country, there is one thing you need to do: get lost regularly. I managed to get a bike for cheap off another exchange student who was leaving - invaluable for urban exploration. There are so many intricate places and sights that you will stumble upon. Even just walking (or biking) around the streets where you live will produce something! So plan some trips with the friends you will inevitably make, get the "seishun ju-hachi kippu" rail pass if you are in Japan in March or August, and see the world from a different angle.

But most of all, don't be afraid or disheartened on days when you feel like you aren't making friends or just having a rough time - they happen. Give everything your best shot, and make use of the opportunities to have some fun! Be proud that you are from New Zealand: the land renowned for its sheep. And don't forget - if you fall asleep on those early morning trains after a late night, you might end up in the Japanese wilderness.

Thanks so much once again for awarding me with the Sasakawa Scholarship. It has helped make my exchange in Japan so much more profound and meaningful. I am excited that other students from New Zealand will be able to broaden their horizons with the same opportunity. All the best everyone! Thanks!