Exchange Students’ Voice / 交換留学生の声

Japan is a beautiful country, has a great environment, and an abundance of great culture. When I was a child, I used to watch TV and there were many stories about Japan, like movies and stories on the news. There were features of the atomic bomb and the rapid development of the Japanese economy. The country then became a fascinating place that piqued my curiosity. Although I have never lived or studied abroad before coming to Japan, I love to travel and experience new cultures, and therefore, I believe studying at Meiji University as an exchange student is an opportunity to expand my horizons while doing something I love which is learning new languages. Moreover, I believe that not only is studying abroad a great way to expand your perspective, but it can also boost your employability. This is why I have decided to study abroad away from my home country. I wanted to challenge myself by going out of my comfort zone. 

 Meiji University was an excellent fit for me because I have always been captivated by Japanese culture and ociety. Meiji University has a good environment and SPSE was also belonging to what I was looking for. Japan is currently Vietnam's third-largest export market behind China and the United States. Studying in Japan, therefore, gives me a more realistic view of the global economic situation. I believe that the outstanding practical courses in SPSE offer me the opportunity to acquire what I need the most. It also allows me to live in Tokyo, study in an international and diverse atmosphere, and interact with locals, allowing me to experience many aspects of raditional Japanese culture that I had always wished for.

After landing in Japan and meeting so many wonderful students, I was astounded by the Japanese students' and other international students' desire for learning about my culture. This made me happy and enthusiastic, because not only did I want to share with them about my culture, but I also wanted to learn about cultures other than my own. I realized how critical it is to have a broad understanding of the world's various cultures because we must come to understand one another as world citizens in order to live in harmony. At Meiji University, I've developed lifelong friends, and I honestly believe that all of my fantastic experiences overseas have made me a better version of myself.

■Things you particulartly enjoy / 楽しいところ
Studying in Japan provided me with the opportunity to learn about other cultures and lifestyles. I got the wonderful opportunity to study under eminent Japanese teachers and engage with students from all around the world. I gained a new perspective on the world, which broadened my awareness of life's opportunities and challenges. I enjoy visiting new sites both inside and outside of Tokyo. What fascinates me the most is how Japan has managed to preserve both traditional and modern lifestyles. You can enjoy both, modern lifestyles in places like Shinjuku and Shibuya but also the more traditional based style in Kamakura and many other places.

■Things challenging for you / 大変なところ
During my first week in Japan, I was barely able to communicate. Partly because I was shy and hadn't had the chance to speak to Japanese people much, I couldn't speak the thoughts in my head. I think most exchange students experience this. However, all of my negative thoughts were blown away when university life began. I appreciated the great offer of events to pull international students and Japanese students together and there is also a large variety of clubs called "サークル" that you can participate in. I also got to meet other international friends while staying in the school's dorm. Days passed, and the university and Izumi International House began to feel like home. I made a lot of friends and some of them became my best friends. I treasure our friendship and still keep in touch with them now. Moving to an entirely different environment can be daunting and challenging, but it is definitely rewarding and enriching in the end.

I'm working at a subsidiary of Marubeni Corporation in Vietnam. My work is related to supply chain management and thanks to the knowledge I acquire while I studied at Meiji University learning from the Japanese working manner, the living culture as well as the innovative education system, I am able to work for Japanese enterprise in order to promote the trade between the two countries. 1 year from now, I would like to attend graduate school and conduct research with a focus on international trade since Japan is Vietnam's fourth largest strategic trade partner after China, the United States, and South Korea. After finishing graduate school, I hope to get a job at a multinational company in Japan and serve in a bridging role between Japan and Vietnam.

I was born and raised in Vietnam, a country with thousands of years of culture and a strong sense of respect for the land, sea, and people. Vietnam's war-torn history— the French, Americans, and Chinese have all left their own distinct and not always positive imprints on the country—as well as its stunning and varied geography, incredible cuisine, plentiful beaches, and near-endless shopping are all compelling reasons to visit our country. We, like other developing countries, face societal issues such as pollution and excessive traffic, but for the time being, Vietnam is expanding at its own speed and in its own way, and there is so much to love about this great country. If you're bored of fast-paced days, just take it easy, try our Phở, and be my guest in my country! 

 I had always wanted to learn Japanese, but there were no high schools in Vietnam that provided such a program at the time. So I began my Japanese studies as my major Bachelor's degree at the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, where I had the opportunity to learn with dedicated and dynamic Japanese teachers. They had taught me a lot of things, not only the language but also the Japanese culture/history/economy, etc., and way of life. After years of study, my deep love for Japan has been rekindled in such a way that the Japanese people have left an indelible imprint on me. They are so dedicated to their work, even when it is small and insignificant. Our faculty also hold multiple events and club that are related to Japan and Japanese culture, for example, Satsuki Matsuri or Japanese Speech Contest, Tonichi, etc

If you plan to study in Japan, you should familiarize yourself with Japanese culture first. Learn about the differences between your home country and Japan to discover if they're something you can live with. I believe this will be the key to ensuring that your time as an exchange student is worthwhile. It's not always enjoyable to live in unknown surroundings. However, I believe that by conquering these obstacles, you will have achieved a level of complexity considerably greater than if you had entered the industry after graduating from a university or graduate school in your own nation. Everything you learn is always worthwhile. The more you understand something, the better and more fascinating you become to talk to. Any time you get the chance to truly immerse yourself in another culture, you should take advantage of it, work hard, try new things, make the most of the many opportunities Meiji Univerisity will offer, and enjoy your time here! Travel far enough to meet yourself, I am sure you will have the best time at Meiji University!

 Thank you for having me as an exchange student, I had a really good time at Meiji university. As a country with cutting-edge education innovation, Japan attracts a great number of international students every year. This becomes a very good chance for everyone to acquire more knowledge from students of different nationalities. Maybe you can try to share with the international student your own country's culture and learn some from others because that's something only you can do. Personally, I think everyone we meet daily has their own stories that each of us can be a listener, to enjoy, and learn from. It's up to you to use those opportunities to the fullest and make your stay in Meiji University totally awesome.