With Translation as my major, I would like to master both Japanese-English and Japanese-Chinese translation. That would require high Japanese proficiency and rich knowledge in Japanese culture, the two items best to learn in Japan. Through studying in Kobe University, I have a chance to make friends with Japanese local students, and experience Japanese culture and living habits. Kobe University, with such a long history of education in economics, would definitely offer me great exposure to the subject. This motivates me to start self-studying, and I hope, I could use this precious year to study the field not so familiar to me in the best way.
It is a very good experience to study in Kobe University. I have made a lot of friends, both Japanese and people from all around the world. I have observed that Japanese students are mostly diligent and nice. When I speak with them in Japanese, they always speak very much slower so that I can listen and comprehend clearly. Taking courses in Japanese, Economics, and International Culture, I have learnt a lot of the fields which I had no access before. I have read a slogan of student exchange programme in Japan, and it suits perfectly well with my thought, ‘I have never met one regret for his decision to go for an exchange, not even one.’ Neither have I.
I have improved quite a lot in Japanese. In the very beginning, even the teacher just spoke words as easy as ‘name’, I still could not understand. The start was hard, but when I tried to speak up in the classes with my friends, I have observed quite an improvement. Persistence is always important. Never give up halfway. Still a long way to go!
The one-year exchange to Japan has proven to be very fruitful. I have taken courses of Japanese language and of economics. These are not the fields I am good at, but I am thrilled at the chances of challenging myself, to expose myself of some unknown domains. Not just the knowledge I acquired makes me grow, but more than that, the bravado for me to step out of my comfort zone.
I have made a lot of friends here, both Japanese and foreigners. This can largely be attributed to the dormitory I live in, the Sumiyoshi International Student House, in which students of different origins mingle together. In the dormitory I can speak in either Japanese and English. I find this most convenient for a Japanese beginner or an intermediate learner – if you can’t present yourself well in Japanese, English is always an alternative, and the other way round. I must convey my thankfulness to the professors and staff members of the Department of Economics in Kobe University, who never hesitates to offer a helping hand. The warmth they bring has melted my loneliness in the time of my early arrival in Japan.
I wish I could work in a company in which my Japanese ability could play a part. No matter a Japanese company or any company with relevance to Japan business, I just wish I could use Japanese in practical business setting. I will not give up on learning Japanese after my return. I have spent a good deal of time in practicing the language, and with all the memories to Japan, this will be the very link between me and Japan.
