Exchange Students’ Voice / 交換留学生の声

Japan is my first target country because I have had a high aspiration to study or work since I was young. It is interesting to touch and learn about Japanese culture as I am delighted to join them every time. In 2017, it was my first time visiting Japan to join the JENESYS program 2017 for a week, and I met a lot of people in this program. After this program, I tried my best and found the way to go back to Japan again. When my dream was successful, I got an opportunity to study in Japan; moreover, I could get the experience, skills and knowledge here. If possible, I would love to go back to Japan again for any reason.  

Meiji University is located in the center of Tokyo, campus surroundings are lively with many places and it is very easy to go to the campuses. It is not only about location, but the education quality is also excellent whether it be academics, course subjects, sports, activities and international affairs. Meiji University is reputable for Thai students especially my university (Srinakharinwirot University) as there are many programs and connections with Thai universities. It is implicitly proud to be a student at Meiji University and an advantage to apply for a job in the future that once I was an exchange student at Meiji University.

My life in Japan was amazing, I had tried many things that I have never done before. First, it was my first time to travel alone (single trip). I found that I am passionate about travelling alone since I can do everything I want and learn more and more about myself. I also can travel in Japan comfortably because it is much safer than in Thailand and public transportation is very convenient. Last thing surprising me is that studying in Japan is shorter than in Thailand (In Japan: 1.40 hours per class but in Thailand: 3 hours per class). In my opinion, when I study for 1.40 hours, it is very reasonable and effective to understand the lessons “LESS is MORE.”  

■Things you particulartly enjoy / 楽しいところ
Comparing my life both in my home country in Thailand and life in Japan. I always enjoy speaking Japanese and taking the class with foreign students, it encourages to express my attitude and opinion and it is enjoyable talking with them. And outside the class, we can go out and travel with each other. Moreover, I love traveling in Japan as it explores my experience of travelling in different areas, especially sightseeing in the natural side, temples and so on. I also enjoy taking the public bath (Onsen / Ofuro) because it makes me feel relaxed and relieves stress, and it is rare to find a public bath in my home country. It is not only taking a public bath for relaxing but it is enjoyable to talk and play some jokes with Japanese friends. In the other words, I lived in Meiji University dormitory (Meiji Global Village), there is an ofuro in this dormitory and I and my friends take it together almost everyday.

■Things challenging for you / 大変なところ
There are many challenging things for me, the most challenging is trying to speak or read Japanese when I was traveling. It is impossible to speak English every time when I travel in Japan, I tried to speak Japanese with the people whether it be merchants, local people, policemen and so on. Moreover, I have to memorize the Kanji as the name of cities or stations, for example, when I have to take bus in Kyoto, I have to read the sign in Kanji, of course, it is easier to take the public transport and challenge me to learn Japanese in the real situation without anyone can help me. Another challenge for me is doing a part time job! It was my first time doing a part time job. I worked at Thai restaurant “Kaffir Lime,” and cooked Thai food for the first time.

There are two ways of dreaming about what I would like to be in the future. First, I would like to be a diplomat. Personally, I have good human relations with others and like learning new things in the international society as it is interesting to find many things unlimited. Second, I would like to be a lecturer (University Professor) because I like expressing the knowledge and experience, it is not only love lecturing but I also like giving advice to others. Both diplomat and lecturer are my target dreams, even though it is difficult to follow this dream but I will not definitely abandon dreams. In addition, besides my dreams mentioned above, I would like to have a social business or social enterprise about processed agricultural products such as aroma diffuser, presume and cosmetic products.

In my home country “Thailand,” there are many things that you want to see and try to join. It is highly recommended to eat Thai food as it is very delicious and not expensive, when you try, you will never forget. Moreover, Thai people are traditionally friendly, or at least perceived to be so. Maybe it is their traditional Thai greeting, the Wai, which is when someone slightly bows with their hands together almost as if they are in prayer. Maybe it is the way many Thais eat family-style, with some visitors lucky enough to be invited to join in on a delicious meal. In addition, there are many unique tourist attractions such as Grands palace, Wat Arun, Siam Paragon department store and so on. I recommend you to travel here, the cost of travelling is not as expensive as you think!

Chulalongkorn University is the first university and institute of higher education in Thailand and located in Pathumwan District Bangkok. At present, my university consists of 19 faculties and 1 academic school covering both science and technology fields. Health Sciences, Social Sciences and Humanities And there are departments in the category of 3 colleges, 1 graduate school, 14 institutes and 2 affiliated institutions, totaling 506 programs, comprising 113 undergraduate programs, 393 graduate programs, of which 87 are international programs and 87 English language programs. Personally, I am studying in the Faculty of Political Science, this my home faculty has 4 main majors consists of International Relations, Government and Politics, Public Administration and Social and Anthropology.

 Hi there! I am very proud to send messages to you guys. My Meiji life was amazing and I will never forget about it. If possible, I really want to go back there again. Then, there are 9 things I would like to tell you.
1. There are many friendly students, keep in touch with them!
2. Travelling in Japan is amazing, you should go everywhere you want and there will be many things that will surprise you.
3. If you live in a Meiji dormitory, you will have more friends and can do lots of activities with them.
4. Taking the classes in Meiji is perfect, I was enjoyable to discuss with teachers and classmates, if you choose the course you like, you will be happy but trying new style learning is also challenging for you.
5. Punctuality is very important; time will never wait for you.
6. Try to eat local Japanese food/dessert and go to a local shop, it is pretty cool!
7. If you like hot baths, Onsen or Ofuro is the best way to relax!
8. Meiji University library is amazing!! It is the heaven of Reading lovers!
9. Let’s make the most of your life in Japan!

I am proud to be your friend and exchange student at Meiji University. I was delighted to join the class or activity and talk with friends. It was my good memory of studying there, if there was no coronavirus, everything would be better and we can do lots of activities together. Thank you for welcoming me. Absolutely, I am also glad to welcome you to be an exchange student in Thailand. You can get new experiences from here and understand the truth of "Amazing Thailand." I hope you enjoy your life as well and achieve what you want.