Exchange Students’ Voice / 交換留学生の声

I chose Meiji University because I wanted to receive a high-quality education in Japan while broadening my perspective.

Meiji University has a long history and an excellent reputation. I was especially attracted to the School of Political Science and Economics because I could study a wide range of topics related to economics and society. I was also attracted by the support for international students and the opportunity to meet students from diverse backgrounds.

During my time at Meiji University, I had many opportunities to interact with students from different cultural backgrounds, both inside and outside the classroom. These experiences gave me new perspectives and inspired me in many ways. I feel that what I learned and experienced at Meiji University has been a valuable part of my personal growth.  

I joined Professor Takeda Takumi’s seminar (zemi) , where I mainly studied Japan’s fiscal and monetary policies. We learned about issues facing the Japanese economy, such as fiscal consolidation and the Bank of Japan’s policy interest rates. After lectures, we conducted research on these topics and deepened our understanding through presentations and discussions. We also had many opportunities to read articles from The Nikkei,, which helped me connect what I learned in class with real-world economic news.  This was my first time studying economics in depth, but Professor Takeda explained things clearly, so I gradually developed my understanding from the basics. Through presentations and discussions, I also learned how to express my own ideas and developed the ability to think about economic issues from different perspectives.

My favorite place on Meiji University’s campus is the library. During my exchange program, I visited the library many times. In particular, I was able to read The Nikkei, which helped me deepen my understanding of Japan’s economy and society. The library was also helpful when I worked on assignments and reports. I liked it because I could study in a quiet environment and concentrate on my work.  

日本に来て驚いたことの一つは、物価の高さです。特に、外食や交通費について、中国と比べると少し高いと感じることが多くありました。普段の生活の中で、食事や移動にかかる費用の違いを実感し、日本で生活する上で大きな違いの一つだと感じました。


One thing that surprised me about Japan was the high cost of living. In particular, I often found that eating out and transportation were a little more expensive than in China. Through my daily life, I noticed the differences in the costs of meals and getting around, and I felt that this was one of the major differences in living in Japan.

やはり武田先生のゼミで初めて日本語のディベートに挑戦したことが楽しかったです。また、日本のアニメやマンガなどの二次元文化を身近に感じられたことも楽しかったです。明治大学は秋葉原に近いため、私はよく秋葉原に行きました。週に2、3回訪れたこともあり、日本独特の文化を楽しみました。さらに、日本の建築や街並みもとても好きです。きれいに整備された街や、伝統と現代的なデザインが融合した建物を見ることができる点も、日本での生活の魅力だと感じました。
　　

I especially enjoyed trying debates in Japanese for the first time in Professor Takeda’s seminar. I also liked experiencing Japanese anime and manga culture. Since Meiji University was close to Akihabara, I often visited there, sometimes two or three times a week, to enjoy Japan’s unique culture. In addition, I really liked Japanese architecture and cityscapes. I found it fascinating to see clean, well-maintained streets and buildings that combined traditional and modern designs.

日本での学生生活で大変だと感じたことは、やはり言葉の壁です。日常会話の中で、相手の話をすぐに理解できないことがありました。例えば、大家さんと電話でやり取りをするとき、早い日本語や普段使わない表現が出てくるため、聞き取ることが難しい場合がありました。しかし、そのような経験を通じて、もっと日本語を勉強したいという気持ちが強くなり、自分自身の成長にもつながりました。

As expected, the biggest challenge of studying in Japan was the language barrier. Sometimes, I could not understand what people were saying right away in everyday conversations. For example, I sometimes had trouble understanding my landlord on the phone because he spoke quickly or used unfamiliar expressions. However, these experiences made me more eager to study Japanese and helped me grow as a person.

I want to become a person who contributes to society.

Shenzhen University is a comprehensive university located in Shenzhen, Guangdong Province, China. It was founded in 1983 and has developed alongside China's reform and opening up. Today, it offers many undergraduate and graduate programs in a wide range of fields, including economics, engineering, information technology, literature, and law.

The university also focuses on international exchange and welcomes many international students. Shenzhen is one of China's leading cities for innovation, and the university works closely with companies. I think one of the best things about Shenzhen University is that it offers many opportunities to gain practical experience.

Studying abroad means stepping into a new environment, so it is natural to feel anxious at times. However, taking that first step can lead to many new encounters and learning opportunities. I was also worried about my Japanese language skills and daily life when I first arrived, but thanks to the support of my professors and friends, I was able to enjoy a fulfilling study abroad experience.

I encourage you to actively participate in classes and extracurricular activities and interact with a wide variety of people. I am sure these experiences will become unforgettable memories and help you grow as a person. I hope you all have a rewarding and meaningful exchange student life.