My Exchange at Hiroshima University
How I found out
I found out about 360 International through emails, friends, and also one of my lecturers mentioned it sometime.
Your feelings/first impressions when you arrived at your host university/city/country
I felt like it was really peaceful with a lot of nature but I felt like it was a bit isolated. Although it felt a little depressing at first, I got used to it and I think because it was so isolated, it was easier to get close to people. Everyone hung out around uni and was always close by so making plans last minute was relatively easy.
What was your accommodation like?
I stayed at Ikenoue Student Dormitories (池の上学生宿舎) in building 11 which cost about 16000 yen. The room I stayed in was relatively clean, and I was content with what I got for my money, but on the other hand, some other exchange students didn’t seem too happy with the state of their room when they moved in, regardless of building type. Some people had the choice of staying in Mirai Crea, which is quite a bit more pricey, but everyone who stayed there said they were more than satisfied. Students who were really unhappy with their room transferred to Mirai after convincing the university and going through some paperwork.
For building 11, we had our own kitchen, and a rental company had a connection with the dorms, so I rented a fridge and microwave from them for around 3000 yen per month for both. I bought my own bedding but I heard that you could also buy a bedding set from the Ikenoue dorms.
One of the problems was that I was only informed regarding move-in dates for my dorms until a few weeks before my departure, so I had to book my flights without knowing when I would be able to move in. And unfortunately, I booked my flight to arrive on a Saturday morning, but I could only move in on weekdays, so I ended up staying in a hotel for two nights. In my case, for Ikenoue Student Dormitories, they allowed us to move in one week ahead of the term dates, but only during the daytime on weekdays.
Orientation
On the first day of the term, there was an orientation to explain the basics of living in Japan where I met a few other students. They had two sessions, one during the day and one in the evening for students that had classes during the other session.
What you thought of the courses/teaching at the host university
The main issue I encountered during my exchange programme was the lack of support for international students during classes. I took 8 courses, all of which in the syllabus, had stated that the language of instruction was both Japanese and English. Some of these courses were fully Japanese, even the in-person exams. The others just provided English versions of the slides and exams so non-Japanese speaking students had to teach themselves. So if you’re planning to take specialised courses such as Engineering and Data Science, I would recommend you to contact the professors for each subject, so you have an idea of how the course will be conducted.
What the host city/country was like
Hiroshima city is vibrant and historically significant, known for its tragic history as the first city to suffer a nuclear attack during World War II, but it has since emerged as a symbol of peace and resilience. The Atomic Bomb Dome and Peace Memorial Park lies in the city centre, just beside the main shopping district.
What the cost of living was like compared to Auckland
Cost of living in Japan overall is a lot less than in Auckland. Everything in general is less than half the price it would be in Auckland.
Extracurricular activities you took part in
I was part of a circle (club) called United Community (UC), which had weekly meetups on Tuesday evenings, where we just played board and card games to get to know each other well. The purpose of these activities was to foster bonds between international students, foreign residents living in the area, and Japanese people. After each meetup, we would usually split into groups and go grab dinner together, or even go to Karaoke. I made really close friends through UC and would highly recommend joining them.
Life on campus
My day mainly consisted of just going to classes, having lunch at the cafeteria, studying in the library, and then going out for dinner every now and then with some friends.
Food
As mentioned earlier, the cost of living in Japan is quite low, so you can have a decent meal for under 1000 yen which is around $10. The University has around five cafeterias all around campus, where most students go to have lunch because it’s quick and convenient. One thing I found quite inconvenient is the fact that we couldn’t eat inside libraries. There weren’t many other places to sit and study other than the library, so if you brought your own food, it was difficult to find a place to sit and eat, especially when it was raining or cold outside.
Highlights of your exchange
I really enjoyed the day trips with my friends that I made because we always explored places we had never seen before, did some shopping, and ate good food. There were lots of unforgettable memories made.
Challenges of your exchange
The first two weeks were tough. Trying to get settled in, opening a bank account, getting a sim card, making friends etc.. After the first month there, I felt more comfortable but still wasn’t really close with anyone, but after that, I gradually made new friends, got closer with people, and enjoyed my time with people around me. Another challenge were the fights. A lot of people got too close and ended up having fights and arguments so try to avoid any conflicts. And of course, the last challenge was saying goodbyes.
Any advice you would give to students thinking about the exchange programme
Get to know as many people as you can, both Japanese students and International students, have fun while the experience lasts, and keep track of your spendings so you know roughly how much you have left to spend.
Q&A
What were some of the highlights of the academic experience at your host university?
During my exchange, I got to meet other students during class who have similar academic interests. This gave me different perspectives, especially on how they see employment and what kind of fields and companies they want to work in.
Although taking technical courses taught in Japanese was difficult, it forced me to memorise and learn key Japanese terms that are frequently used in every day life. My ability to read and write Japanese kanji characters improved a fair bit, which would most definitely help me in the future if I were to go back and live there.
The study spaces in Hiroshima University was amazing. There were lots of power outlets and seats that were comfortable and quiet.
Last but not least, I got to experience two different university systems and compare the differences – the pros and cons of both.
Would you recommend any particular activity/activities unique to your host country or university?
Hiroshima University is in a rural suburb of Higashi Hiroshima, hence I got to experience the countryside of Japan, but it’s less than an hour by train to the bustling city centre of Hiroshima. In Hiroshima City, there’s the famous atomic bomb dome, lots of shopping areas, and food places.
Some activities I did during my weekends include karaoke, shopping, arcade games, going for walks, bowling, billiards, skiing, ice skating and just exploring different areas.
The university gym is free for students so for those that work out, you can go with friends and bond over it.
I met most of my friends through the HUSA Welcome Party – a gathering for both International students, Japanese students, and supporters with ice breakers and food.
Another place where I met more people is a university circle (club) called “United Community (UC)”, so I highly recommend joining that circle (free of charge). They have an instagram, Line group chat, and weekly meetups on Tuesday evenings to play card games or have a chat. The best part is going out for dinner and/or karaoke with everyone afterwards.
What are your top 3 tips for future students attending your host university or going on exchange to your host country?
1. Go out and have fun when you have time before you get too busy but also try to keep a good study life balance.
2. Get to know as many people as you can.
3. Don’t spend money on stupid things.
How much did you budget for your exchange? Was this enough? Were there any lessons learned that would help future students budget for their own exchange?
I used roughly 700,000 yen for my half-year exchange, from October to February, excluding flight tickets. For the Christmas break, I was with my family so they paid for all my things during that period so if you plan to travel around, I think you would require significantly more than me. I didn’t do much shopping, almost the bare minimum, but did spend quite a lot on eating out.
What are your most significant takeaways from your experience abroad?
At the start of my exchange, I thought I wouldn’t make close friends or lifelong friends because I’m only there for four months. The first two weeks were really tough, but after that, I slowly made new friends and met more people through them and got really close with some of them in particular. After one month of being there, it really felt like home and I didn’t want to think about having to leave the University at the end of my exchange period.
It was also my first time living alone and away from family, so I felt lonely and depressed at the start, but once I got used to it, I really enjoyed my time there and having the responsibility of doing everything myself.
Last but not least, my knowledge and perspective have broadened in many aspects after getting to know not just Japanese people but other international exchange students from all around the world.
Do you want to share anything about travels you did outside your host city/country?
Over the weekends, I explored some nearby areas such as Kurashiki, Onomichi, Miyajima, Kure, Takehara, Shobara, and so on. Most places are less than 2 hours away by public transport.
For any winter or summer breaks, I would recommend making plans with friends, way ahead of time so that everything’s planned out well.
Tags: 2023, Computer Science, Report