Photo 1: (I am in centre, back row). My host Mum insisted on a serious face as she wanted to look like the serious member of the family

General Tips for Future Exchange Students
Accommodation
I wanted to stay with a host family; however there were not enough host families so I had to stay in the university dormitory in the first semester of my exchange. I was lucky to be placed in a dormitory that is almost brand new and which has an elevator and 24 hour computer lab. It all seemed perfect except for one thing – there were only 6 Japanese students out of 100 students staying there. I was surrounded by foreign students and there was nowhere for me to speak Japanese.

Now in the second semester, I finally got the chance to stay with a host family and they’re GREAT! The downside of this arrangmenent is that it costs more to live with a host family, since most host families don’t live close to the university. It takes me more than half an hour to get to school in two trips by bus, and the monthly bus ticket is very expensive (approximately NZ$120 per month). But you get to talk in Japanese everyday, become friends with your host family, get to try different kinds of Japanese food, and actually live a Japanese lifestyle. Personally, I think it’s worth it!

Photo 2: 'Kansai Gaidai'

University Classes
Life in KG is very different from Waikato. I feel like I’m back in high school, having Japanese speaking class every morning, Japanese writing class three times a week, and two elective English courses, which are compulsory. Depending on your home university policy, some students can cross credit the English courses back to their degree. The Japanese speaking class really helps to improve Japanese conversation skills, because the teacher can correct you whereas it is difficult to find Japanese people who are willing to tell you when you have made a mistake.

It is also difficult to find Japanese people who will talk to you in Japanese. If you do find this a problem, try and talk to them about it. They would understand, and some people come to an agreement to talk in English on every second meeting – this works!

Money
While you’re in Japan, it’s always important to have sufficient money on you, especially during the period of settling in. Though not every university has one, KG has an ATM machine that takes international bank cards, so I can make withdrawals directly from my bank in New Zealand. However, when I traveled to Tokyo, I was surprised to find that I couldn’t find such ATM machine anywhere. Japan is still very much a cash oriented country, so make sure you always have cash. Keeping a record of your spending is also important. We all try to buy the cheapest stuff without realising that the price adds up to a large amount.

Food
I had to cook for myself while I stayed at the dormitory, and I was shocked to see the price of fruit, vegetables and meat! It’s hard for exchange students to get a balanced diet in Japan, because we would rather spend money on travel than anything else. Eventually I learnt to go to the supermarket half an hour before it closes so that I can get the discounted price of certain food, eg. sushi, meat, etc. There are also certain foods on sale on certain days of each month. Although it might seem hard to find out information in another language, all you have to do is ASK! Shop assistants are usually very helpful and polite.

Photo 3: Yukata experience is one of the 'experience-Japan' activities organised by Kansai Gaidai. I am at extreme right.

Homesick
I have to admit that I was little homesick during the first semester. It’s normal, and it is OK to feel that way, just don’t spend too much time feeling sorry for yourself. Look around you, you want to be here, and people want you to be here too. It’s an experience of a lifetime! Have no regrets while you’re here.

Acceptance
When you have decided to go on an exchange, you have expressed the fact that you are ready to learn and accept another culture. Keep this thought in mind. Value every opportunity to try new things. Don’t be afraid just because it’s different. You will be surprised about how much you are able to learn other than the language itself.

Personal Encounter
I look no different to Japanese people because I’m an Asian, so I have to experience a moment of awkwardness seeing the shock I their faces when I try to converse in Japanese. This is one of the barriers that I have to overcome when I try to speak the language. I have got used to introducing and explaining myself now, so that it doesn’t bother me anymore, but if you’re an Asian and you want to come to Japan as an exchange student, my suggestion is to be ready for such an experience and don’t think too negatively about their reaction.

At the opening ceremony of KGs’ Asian Studies Program, the Australian consulate general came and gave a speech. I’d like to share his words with future exchange students. “Lose yourself to find yourself! No one knows that you’re shy, so you can be outgoing or you can be whoever you want to be. Forget about the assumptions that you’ve had about Japan, and accept how it really is. Find something that interests you and look into it closely. You will fall in love with Japanese culture once again”.

Finally, I’d like to thank the Sasakawa Fellowship Fund again for the scholarship.

Photo 4: Our Bon Odori Dance circle performance. This was taken at a party hosted by the teachers for the exchange students involved in the performance. I am third from right, bottom row.