Patchara Piampongsant, Study Abroad semeser at Kansai Gaidai, Japan

My semester in Japan was filled with so many memories that it is difficult to put everything into words.  I must say that I thoroughly enjoyed the experience and am thankful for the opportunity to study abroad.  In retrospect, I believe that I experienced a kind of personal growth that would have a lasting impact on my life.  

One of my fondest memories of Japan is of the dormitory life-of the caretaker, my roommate and fellow dorm mates.  The various dorm related parties that we had, whether it be Halloween, Thanksgiving, birthday parties or movie nights, were always enjoyable.  The anxiety of living in a foreign country soon faded away when I was the company of my new friends and started to explore the possibility that Japan has to offer.  

Weekends are usually composed of taking the train to near by town such as Kyoto, Nara and Kobe to witness the beauty of the culture.  Numerous temples, castles and festivals help enrich my understanding and appreciation for a different way of life.  Long weekends are spent on Shinkansen (bullet train) trips to farther destinations such as Tokyo and Hiroshima.  

Interaction with fellow Japanese students and the community was a great part of my experience.  I signed up for a speaking partner program where I was paired up with a Japanese student who is planning on studying abroad.  We exchanged our cultures and encourage each other to speak in our respective foreign languages, mine being Japanese.  I was also involved in another program called the home visit program where I was offered to visit a Japanese family in their home and to spend a day with them.  This opportunity opened my eyes to the Japanese family interaction, the architectural style of their house and Japanese customs. The Japanese family and students who participated in these programs were always willing to accompany me on cultural and shopping trips. They were always hospitable and eager to help.  

Apart from those programs, I also participated in the International Festival and a volunteering program.  At the Festival, known as INFES, I was in the fashion show where I wore traditional clothing from my country, and spent the rest of the day enjoying delicious of Japanese food.  As for volunteering, I spent a Saturday at a local elementary school interacting with a first grade class.  Though my Japanese was limited, we were able to communicate with the help of Japanese volunteers.  It was such an unforgettable and insightful experience to be with these kids even for a day.

Finally, Kansai Gaidai University is strategically located in Osaka which offers great shopping, night life and a lively lifestyle.  Hirakata city, where the university is situated is very exchange student friendly.  Public transports are always on time and are easy to navigate.  Moreover Japanese are very receptive of body gesture, thus it is not difficult to find the answers to the question you have.  Overall, studying a broad in Japan is one of the experiences I will never regret.  

All pictures courtesy of Patchara Piampongsant