Exchange Students’ Voice / 交換留学生の声

I’ve always wanted to go to Japan, and to live here to really experience the country and its culture seemed like the perfect idea to do so. 

My home University had several partners, Meiji University appealed to me because of its strong international focus.

 I like the feeling oft studying here, very friendly students and professors so i always felt welcomed.
My favorite place on the campus is the cafeteria in liberty tower because of the view and the outside sitting area on the third floor, it’s super calm and the perfect spot for a drink during lunch time.

 It is very different than Europe, obviously. But in what way you can only find out and really experience when you live here! Social norms and rules differ, sometimes it can feel weird, sometimes it is pleasant (riding the trains here is amazing and people feel to care much more about others in terms of politeness but also not to invade your space or disturb you) .

The food, since I was vegan before coming here. That is not really existing here, so I had to adapt haha. But food is part of culture, so I was happy to try it out, even though it was kind of a contradiction to what I would eat at home.

■Things you particulartly enjoy / 楽しいところ
It is a little less stressful, but that’s probably due to me almost only taking classes designed for internationals.

■Things challenging for you / 大変なところ
Probably making friends that I don’t live with or are not internationals. It is not very easy to get to know Japanese people (if you don’t really speak Japanese).

That’s very vague. For my personal life, find a career and further studies I like and actually feel good about doing. Also, I want to settle in a city I feel comfortable in and stay there for some time to develop a social circle, habits and not move around too much. My bachelor’s degree was going on in a lot of different places, which was super nice, but I feel like staying in one place for now.

 I study at Heinrich Heine University in Düsseldorf, Germany. I participated in this program over the faculty of economics and Business.

Go abroad to study! It is such a privilege to have that opportunity, use it. Nothing makes you learn as much as going to a totally different setting and getting around in a new country and city, finding new friends from scratch and settling in in a new university, speaking a language you don’t speak at home. Even one semester is such an experience, don’t miss out on that!!

Pretty much the same, as it applies to anyone who considers going abroad: Just do it, you won’t regret and it will be always a special time to look back to.