Ochanomizu University, Japan

Hi everyone! My name is Rebecca and I’m currently studying a combined Bachelor of Science in Information Technology and Bachelor of International Studies! Here’s a quick 3 month check in of how my life in Japan is going.

What am I studying?

For my ICS (in-country study) component, I’ve had the honour of studying at Ochanomizu Women’s University in Tokyo as part of the first cohort for the EDI (Equity, Diversity and Inclusion) program. This program is in collaboration with Ochanomizu’s counterpart universities in the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia and from next year USA. This program is approximately 7 months, starting from July up until the end of January, and my schedule looked a bit like;

1. Starting the online component of Ochanomizu’s Summer Program (2 weeks)
2. Participating in-person during the Summer Program (2 weeks)
3. Break (1 week)
4. Internship (2 weeks)
5. Summer Holiday (3 weeks)
6. Autumn Semester (October to January)

My Autumn study plan currently consists of 8 subjects/16 credit points – which is what I was informed to be the legal requirement in maintaining your student visa status – with 3 completely in Japanese and 5 other subjects ranging from topics such as language and globalization, gender and social sciences, and Japanese society related subjects. Since these are part of the program, there is a requirement to study subjects related to career design, gender, and globalisation. All these subjects are technically not direct equivalents because my UTS study plan only has Exchange Elective 5, 6 & 7!

How’s my host university?

My host university has quite a small campus with buildings and classrooms that remind me of my primary school and high school. Despite this, it’s really homey and has great areas to lounge around. The best parts include our campus animals (we’ve got 3 campus cats, a bunch of turtles and koi fish – all of which live right outside our library!), as well as the school cafeteria! The cafeteria has such an amazing variety of Japanese food, all for such a low cost (you can definitely get full off of ~6 AUD). There’s also this tree in the middle of the main building courtyard, that blooms cherry blossoms during Spring (around mid-late March!).

Although Japan is perceived as a technologically advanced society – just like how its acknowledgedfor still using fax machines and manual labour in business operations – Japanese universities still thrive on paper handouts and online portals/systems that look like UTS Blackboard (for those who remember what that looked like…)

The teaching style for my classes mainly consists of lectures, with some student collaboration here and there, not so much tutorials or workshops like what I’m used to in Australia. Most classrooms are set up like a typical high school classroom, with tables and chairs arranged in pairs or rows and a blackboard up the front, or a projector with white pull-down panels.

How is my life outside of university?

I’ve got a bit more of a genuine local experience, being that I live in the suburbs as opposed to on campus accommodation. It’s still an international student dorm, but I’m commuting around 40 minutes a day to and from university, which in itself was challenging but it’s grown on me.

One thing about Japan is that you’re going to be walking a LOT. I’m averaging around 10,000 steps a day, and the first few months was incredibly challenging. The stations are huge, the shopping districts are equally huge, and many station exits don’t have elevators or escalators so if you’ve got weak knees like me… best of luck.

In all seriousness it does grow on you, and it feels (not necessarily factual…) like I’ve been a more fit since arriving in Japan than in Australia. My friend who arrived back from exchange said that ‘walking becomes a happy lifestyle’, but I’m still waiting for the happiness that comes from walking so much. Maybe it’ll dawn on me when I arrive back in Australia.

What do I do in my spare time?

I’m the type of person that is terrible at planning overseas trips and can’t really get around to all the ‘touristy’ or ‘Instagrammable’ locations. I’m also terrible at booking in advance as well as waiting in line. So, what can I really do in my spare time?

My answer is: a lot. The best thing that I’ve done in my 3 months here so far is exploring the small cosy suburbs and streets in my area and around Tokyo, as well as really fleshing out my hobbies, discovering what I can do with those hobbies, as well as pick up some new ones along the way.

I love coffee, street dance, art, photography, fashion and exploring. A lot of my time is really dedicated to scoping out great cafes, thrifting clothes, art gallery hopping, or appreciating the local scenery and foods. I also love taking a train to a really far destination and taking pictures – sometimes it’s planned, sometimes it’s spontaneous and often it’s a mixture of spontaneity and planning. I’ve met some lovely locals and internationals along the way, and always make sure to ask for recommendations on what my next adventure should be. I’ve also attended some street dance battles to see what the Tokyo scene looks like in comparison to Sydney. I’ve also planned on trying out some new hobbies. I’ve been meaning to get into physical activities such as bouldering, badminton, and taking more street dance classes. One new hobby – and skill – that I’ve been able to hone is making my own drip coffees! I really recommend you try out something you’ve been meaning to start, or think of new things to explore, because the best time is when you’re away in a different country for a short period of time with the luxury of not having to work.

Closing thoughts

People often say that exchange is a ‘life changing’ and ‘identity defining’ experience. I would agree to that to an extent, but in my experience it’s not as glamourous or romantic as it might sound like on paper. I’ve had my hardships and struggles with loneliness, feeling like I’m wasting my time and not being productive, or even just feeling like why am I even in this country? It’s very human to feel like this, because being in a new country where no one knows you (and a country as respectful and reserved as Japan) is terrifying and incredibly lonely. But in this short time away from home I have been able to find out what I like, what I don’t, what I can do if I put my mind to it, and who I can meet if make the step to get out of my house and step out of my comfort zone. I’m incredibly fortunate for my experiences and opportunities thus far and wouldn’t change any of it at all.

Tips for those looking to study in Tokyo/Japan

1. Don’t stress too much about not getting a spot on your campus dormitory – if you have a backup in the suburbs of Tokyo or larger cities in Japan, this is an equally rewarding experience, and you tend to find even cuter and niche areas of your local area/city!
2. Don’t ever compare your own exchange experience to others in the light of ‘I should’ve done that”, or “I should travel around more”. Do what you enjoy, and don’t think like you’ve missed out on making the most of your exchange experience because you didn’t get that one Instagram picture or visit that incredibly famous location/restaurant that you had to wait in line for 2 hours for. I felt like this a bit as I flicked through my friends’ social medias, but in the end I was happy with where I was in my stage of life, and my experiences along the way.
3. If you can speak Japanese (or not!) make sure you ask your baristas, bartenders or owners or places you frequent about their recommendations for other cafés, restaurants, or locations! You can often make a friend along the way, as well as experience a whole different side of Tokyo every time.

If you struggle with loneliness or you’re an extrovert like myself, the best way to meet people is just put yourself out there. Go out to somewhere by yourself or with a dorm buddy. Talk to the person next to you in the bar. Join a local event or meetup. Don’t let rejection or failed attempts to talk to people get to your head. Japanese people are typically quite reserved and don’t tend to make the first move to talk to you, so if you don’t put yourself out there then it’ll be a tiny bit harder getting to know people here. Also please do so respectfully – treat others how you’d like to be treated!

Rebecca Lu
Bachelor of Science in Information Technology and Bachelor of International Studies
Ochanomizu Women’s University
Japan

For more information about the UTS Global Exchange program please visit: www.uts.edu.au/thinkglobal