I started learning Japanese on my parents’ advice when I was in middle school. However, by the 3rd year of university, my thoughts on Japanese learning had changed a lot. This is the most special time in my Japanese journey so far. From the 3rd year, besides Japanese lessons, the amount of knowledge in specialized subjects such as history, society, Japanese literature, etc. also increased significantly, which helped me understand more about various aspects of Japan. Thanks to those subjects, my studies also became more fascinating. Gradually, I found myself more enthusiastic in my university studies and began to actively seek opportunities to gain more exposure to the Japanese language and culture. That wonderful feeling kept growing in me day by day, and I couldn't contain my desire to study abroad in Japan, so I applied.
By studying abroad in Japan, I would like to enhance my ability, not only in Japanese for daily life, but also in academic Japanese. In addition, I want to immerse myself in real life in Japan, through chatting with locals as well as other daily activities like shopping and taking a train. I hope my own experiences can help me discover a more authentic, captivating, and special Japan than what I knew when studying in Vietnam.
In the blink of an eye, two months have passed since I arrived in Japan. I have enjoyed every happy day with many new interesting experiences.
In Kobe, where I am studying abroad, I have had many opportunities to experience Japanese culture, from traditional culture found in a Danjiri Festival, Sorakuen Garden, Himeji Castle, and various shrines and temples to Western-style architecture in Kitano-cho. I fell in love with charming Kobe, which has a blue sea and a green forest.
Regarding university study, teachers always create opportunities for me to experience Japanese culture in courses such as flower arrangement and calligraphy besides my main classes. In addition, Japanese friends enthusiastically guiding me around town and teaching me the Kobe dialect made me really happy. During Golden Week, it was amazing to see the splendid Danjiri floats decorated with beautiful lanterns at the Danjiri Festival. I know that the festival was canceled a few times due to COVID, so I think I'm lucky to be able to enjoy the festival right when I'm studying abroad.
In addition, every day I feel the warmth of the people around me through the little things in my daily life, like the cake received from my host after a busy day, or the cheers of “Do your best, sister!" of the neighborhood kid every time I climb the slope on my way to school.
Due to the influence of COVID, the period of living in Japan has been shortened from 1 year to 6 months, so I no longer intend to work part-time. But thanks to the HUMAP scholarship, I am saved. The problem of money has disappeared, and I have been given the opportunity to experience Japan more freely. I would like to discover more new values in Kobe City and use my study abroad time wisely.
As August approaches, my study abroad period in Japan is nearing its end. Due to the impact of the covid pandemic, I have only been able to experience real life in Japan for just about six months. However, thanks to that, I could share both online and face-to-face lessons with the full support of the teachers. Furthermore, I felt even more grateful for this moment in Japan. From every class at Kobe Shoin, every outing, to every conversation with people around, all of them help me learn and give me chances to discover something new every day. After all, I found “a more special Japan than what I knew when studying in Vietnam,” as I thought when I applied to study abroad.
HUMAP has made me more confident in experiencing life in Japan. Thanks to these valuable experiences gained through studying abroad, I have begun to have more positive changes in my thoughts about my future direction. In the future, I would like to return to Japan, especially Kobe, with a better and newer version of myself.
