My Exchange at Kyoto University
Exchange Report
I found out 360 International through my very first UoA Open Day that I went in Yr 12. I knew that I wanted to do a semester exchange before starting University. However Covid started in my first year, and I thought I could never do a semester exchange ever, but thankfully with a conjoint degree, I had the opportunity to study abroad.
Life in Kyoto
My first impression for Japan and Kyoto University was that they had a high standard academically and meritocracy. I stayed at the Kyoto University Okazaki International House, where we have international students around the world. Our dorm is quite quiet, but helpful.
One of the fun experience was getting crochroach alerts from the residents through Whatsapp. It was funny to me as I used to live in Hong Kong, hence am very familiar with roaches, whereas other students from the colder regions aren’t. It was a great experience teaching them how to deal with roaches or “Gokiburi / G-San” in Japanese.
My biggest highlight in Kyoto is definitely the friends that I met through uni clubs. I was part of the KGK and Student Impact. These are two Christian Fellowships belonging to two global movements that also has clubs here in UoA. I received great support and love through the clubs, help me navigating through Uni and day-to-day life. They remained as long-term friends, and I can’t wait to visit them again in Kyoto.
Cost of living in general is way cheaper than Auckland. One big part of it was the rental cost. It costed me around $350-450 a month, including the utilities, which is almost a weekly rental in Auckland. Secondly, food and grocery is really cheap in Japan. If you buy seasonal vegetables, it is so much cheaper than Auckland. On the other hand, fruits are very expensive, even in season. It’s because those are all export grade and they have high quality controls, that requires a lot more effort and cost.
Advises to prospective students
Physically prepared
It is important for students that are going to Japan for exchange, that they knew how much time they want to spend on travelling and holiday in March before the semester starts on April 1. I decided to visit my family and friends in Hong Kong for 3 weeks, travelled to Taipei for 3 days, and did some travelling in Chubu and Kansai in the last week of March. By the end of March, I felt I’ve achieved so much in the past month, that I’m ready to head home (Auckland). I was all drenched and tired from all the fun that I had, and was just not prepared to start the semester fresh and refreshed.
The documentation and registration period from 1-5 April was exhausting and troublesome, but it was a great chance to meet new people, and running into familiar faces from the dorm, who end up becoming long term friends that we are still in touch.
Mentally prepared
My physical state resulting in a bad mental health to start the semester strong. The documentation, registration and enrolment period was particularly challenging. It requires a lot of footwork, visiting new places, finding the right bus to go to the right place, whilst getting all the daily consumables such as shampoo and shower gel that’s crucial to survival. The back-and-forth communications with Kyoto Uni and UoA could be tedious during that period, trying to sort out the course approvals. Finding time to rest and breath is extremely important otherwise would burn out before the actual start of the semester.
Financially prepared
The last thing is to hold on the urge to buy lots of things when there are so much more options at a way cheaper price in Japan. I found it super easy to buy food outside, stationaries that I seldom use, and taking bus more than walking. These things cost a lot in a long run. I would definitely recommend meal prepping and cook whenever possible, one day a week is enough to cook for a week.
Q&A
What were some of the highlights of the academic experience at your host university?
1. Hanging out with international students in English taught classes
Most English taught classes require group works, and most classes that I take are either in period 4 or period 5 (there are only 5 in a day), which means that we get to hangout in the evening spontaneously.
2. Making Japanese friends in Japanese taught classes
I think it would be a lot harder to make Japanese friends if I couldn’t speak Japanese and hadn’t taken Japanese classes. Although there weren’t any group assignment, it was a lot easier to walk in as an international student and ask them questions that I don’t understand in the class as a conversation starter.
Would you recommend any particular activity/activities unique to your host country or university?
1. Gion Festival
Being the biggest and one of the oldest festival in Japan, I highly recommend Gion Festival. People from around the world to see the floats and experience the festivity.
2. International Networking Meeting
This is a prime opportunity for international students, especially those who do not take any Japanese taught classes to make Japanese friends. This is a lunch activity hosted by IESMD to connect international students and Japanese students that wants to study abroad.
What are your top 3 tips for future students attending your host university or going on exchange to your host country?
1. Physically prepared
Don’t underestimate the physical strength you needed to go to different places to submit documents and the hot weather!
2. Mentally prepared
Be prepared for the exhaustion that you get simply from shopping at a busy mall on a Saturday.
3. Financially prepared
Following from the shopping theme, hold back on impulsive shopping when seeing cute things in Japan!
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 saved up to $17,000 for the whole exchange + student loan living cost. This covered my flight ticket and accommodations for travelling and study. It was a bit tight towards the end as I underestimated how much I would spend to ship my belongings back to Auckland because of weight and distance. Highly recommend to take this in mind when spending, especially towards the end.
What are your most significant takeaways from your experience abroad?
The biggest takeaway was independence. Living by myself overseas was unique yet challenging. It was hard to settle down, to overcome the cultural shock and knowing the area. It was also very hard to leave a place that I dearly loved and lived for one semester alone. This feeling was particularly strong when I see my international friends posting their summer break in Japan, and I was one of the earliest international students leaving Kyoto, immediately after the exams and feedback period. This process gave me a lot of growth mentally to be prepared of independence and tolerance against loneliness.
Do you want to share anything about travels you did outside your host city/country?
1. Universal Studio Japan
Osaka is just around the corner, it’ll take around 90min to get to USJ. This could be an easy weekend outing.
2. Nara
You have to check out the deer in Nara!
Final Comments
I think there’s nothing more important than to enjoy the experience and value the friendships.