I have visited Japan before for Christmas vacation in 2022 with my family as I had experience visiting Japan. Being and living there was my first time, and certainly the first time I have gone independent to do things on my own, especially living in a country that is around 9000km away from my home in England.
Firstly, arriving to Japan was a rollercoaster of experiences. I was afraid to go in the wrong direction and make a mistake, specially making the wrong impression towards. This was not the case. Everyone there was helpful, I was able to get directions on where to go in which proper area for my clearance, as well as everything else regarding my concerns. It was seamless and straightforward, despite the hurdles of documentation and the steps to take.
I came on the 26th, that meant I had plenty amount of time before University starts, for class briefing and appointing your language level for Japanese classes. I had a blast exploring through the areas of the city. There were so many new sights for me, and I loved checking out new sights of the area.
I went to the mountain in the city, Shinobuyama mountain, to take a hike and explore the foliage and sights. Every bit of the journey I had was fresh and breathtaking, I enjoyed every bit of the journey. At the top of the mountain at the observation deck, you get an amazing view of the city. It is a very rewarding sight to see.
Prior starting University, the briefing was helpful and the teachers and student buddies were there to help you out with the briefing. However, to choose classes, you had to reach a credit requirement. For my degree and my university back home, the credit requirement was much higher than other students, which caused stress and confusion with how much to take. Nonetheless, I took as many classes as it requires for my credits, and it didn't bother me much anymore after.
Attending classes and taking them are fun, entertaining and have a lot of charm in them, especially with whom you are being taught by. For example, my CEFR English classes with He Min Sensei allow you to participate easily, be involved in the activities with rapid succession, and even able to learn new informative content and teachings from it as an English speaker. Japanese classes with Sasaki sensei are enjoyable, informative and with a small tight-knight class of 5 students, it is not competitive at all, and everyone works together to learn! Lastly, Joost Sensei's classes are filled with passion, peaked interests from our ideas such as our cultural sensitivities with Japanese society and education, as well as our perspectives and mindsets we grew up with to educate ourselves and our students in our class from other countries and cultures!
I have many places around Fukushima prefecture that I would love to share that are my favorites. These are places around in Fukushima city and in the prefecture.
First one is Momijiyama park. I always go here when I can to relax, rest and have my own time. The park during autumn times has a beautiful spectrum of orange and yellow, as well as the view of the river with the mountains far in the background. I recommend it so much if you live near the international dorms, it's only a 5-minute walk and you get to enjoy and savour the moments.
Second one is Castle Ruins Park in Nihonmatsu city. It is a spectacular place, and I visited there with my friend. The best views I've ever seen, especially visiting the place around Autumn times, it was an unforgettable experience and I enjoyed each sight I saw, from each leaf on the trees to the curves of the ground, even to the way each tree and plant was positioned, every place and spot in the park screams to have pictures taken of it.
Being here for around 4 months only, there is so much more for me to learn, and I am loving Japan and Fukushima even more as time goes. I feel like myself when I come here and I have found a second home for myself and will make an effort to go out and explore more of what Fukushima has to offer for me!
福島大学への留学案内・年間スケジュール
