My Exchange at Waseda University
I would have liked to know more about the experience from former students that have gone there. I met with someone through 360, but it was only for a few minutes. More chances to exchange words with previous students that have done an exchange to Japan would’ve been nice, especially since Japan is so different to NZ and any english speaking country.
Q&A
What were some of the highlights of the academic experience at your host university?
The highlights of my academic experience was getting to meet people from all around the world and seeing how every school around the world teaches a different way and learns a different way. Alot of my classes were pen and paper only, which took alot to get used to but I found I actually managed to listen and focus alot better with no distractions.
Would you recommend any particular activity/activities unique to your host country or university?
If you are based in Tokyo, make sure you plan weekends or weeks away outside of Tokyo. You do not want to miss Osaka and Kyoto. They were some of the highlights of my trip and I wish I was able to spend longer outside of Tokyo.
What are your top 3 tips for future students attending your host university or going on exchange to your host country?
I would greatly reccomend learning basic Japanese before going. The language barrier is tough, and I did not have great Japanese so it took a lot to get used to and the language barrier was insanely difficult at times. If you are able to learn Japanese before you go, this would greatly help.
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 budgeted around $5000, as well as getting my weekly student loan living costs. By the end of the exchange, I ran out of money. Definitely prepare more than you expect to use, as you will use more than you think.
What are your most significant takeaways from your experience abroad?
The most significant takeaway for me was just how different of a culture it is in Japan and the way they live is so different to New Zealand. Their lifestyle is extremely introverted and minimal. The city is in alot of ways set up for people that live solo or do alot of activities by themselves. It is an extremely judgmental country and is one of the biggest differences to New Zealand.
Do you want to share anything about travels you did outside your host city/country?
I would highly recommend going to Nara and the deer park.
Final Comments
360 international takes weeks to reply, so be prepared to wait a long time for replies. At times this was stressful to deal with, so make sure you take the time to ensure everything is in order regarding course approvals, etc, before you go.