Charmaine, a Social Development Studies student, spent her 4A term studying at Kyoto University in Japan. Here's what she had to say about the experience.
What type of traveller do you think you are?
A documentarian!
Why did you choose your host school and country?
For as long as I can remember, I have been enamoured with Japanese culture. By going to Kyoto University, I immersed myself in the heart of Japan’s culture and history.
What was an average day like in your program?
During the semester, my day usually consisted of getting up, biking to school, and attending class. Everyone shared the same lunch hour, so I usually met up with my friends to eat. Sometimes, if my friends and I had the same break between classes, we would go out and karaoke! I'm not kidding! After class, I would bike home with a few friends and hang out at the dorm.
What was one of your favourite experiences from your time abroad?
My favourite experience during my time abroad was going on a road trip with the international friends I made at my dormitory. To decide where to go, we threw a dart at a map of Japan; it landed in the middle of Shikoku, the smallest of Japan’s four main islands!
On our first day, we drove north from Kyoto to Shotenkyo Beach by the Japan Sea. From there we drove through the Chūgoku Mountains to reach Okayama, where we boarded a ferry to reach art island, Naoshima. On our third and final day, we made it to Shikoku and Iya Valley. Iya Valley is very remote and is a prime location to experience Japan at its roots. It was such an incredible experience and I feel fortunate to have been able to create it with the friends that I made while abroad!
Were there any challenges? If so, how did you overcome or cope with them?
Navigating the language barrier was a challenge. I came to Japan with very basic Japanese, but I tried my best to not let it prevent me from meeting new people. This challenge became quickly manageable as I made friends who were also in the same situation as me. Many of the international students I had met were also dealing with the language barrier, so we were able to help and encourage one another to learn Japanese as the semester went on.
Did any of your experiences challenge the assumptions you held about your host country or culture?
I think going in with open ears, open eyes, and an open heart, eased me into my new environment and made me excited for all the new things that were happening around me.
Has this exchange helped you personally, academically or professionally?
This exchange has pushed me on a personal level to become aware of different cultures and think about my own relationship with the world. Being in an unfamiliar environment really made me focus on how my upbringing and my culture were reflected in my interactions. This also made me attuned to how other people may act. I really started to consider others’ experiences when I was connecting with the people around me. Through this exchange I also grew in my sense of agency. Being countries and oceans away from home meant that I would be responsible for myself, which was a good learning curve for me to experience.
What were your experiences like when you returned home? Did your understandings about your own life, or reflections on your experience, change after you came back to Waterloo?
Being from Canada and growing up in Toronto has given me a unique awareness of diversity. Leaving, and then coming back, really made me thankful that I can continue to grow in my interaction with a diverse world. I really enjoyed the cultural exchanges with Japanese people and other international students, and I hope that will continue.
If you could do it all over again, what would you do differently?
Perhaps I would’ve learned more Japanese before going abroad. Other than that, I honestly would not change a single thing. I happily did things at my own pace and I'm really satisfied with how my exchange in Kyoto went.
Do you have any advice for Waterloo students thinking of studying abroad?
Go! There’s a plethora of life to experience waiting for you! Also, take lots of pictures!