Embracing Osaka

Hey! My name is Will, I am in my third year at UTS and am on a global exchange at Osaka University for the next 6 months. What a hectic past 2 weeks! Osaka offers a rich blend of tradition and modernity from intense nightlife to beautiful landscapes, temples and shrines.

Orientation day gave me a chance to experience a tour of the campus which showed a vast array of facilities such as a large open field for all kinds of sports, a tennis court, a huge library and a shuttle bus to other campuses. This was also a great opportunity to meet some of the other exchange students and make new friends that are new to the country.

I live a five-minute walk away from the Toyonaka campus where all my classes are held which is incredibly convenient. I am taking all elective subjects, so I focused mainly on Japanese language and culture as my choice of units. The University offers subjects specifically for international exchange students so they are taught in English and have a more relaxed teaching style. I also chose a Japanese language subject for me to learn Japanese while I am here and already after 1 week of classes, has already been useful for me in everyday life in Japan.

The things that I am enjoying the most here are food and social activities! We have organised within the exchange group that we have a “family dinner night” on Sunday nights where 2 people cook for everyone, while we sit and have a beer and conversate about nothing. The quality of food in Osaka is incredible and very rarely not delicious. I find that even in the early hours of the morning when I want a midnight snack, the 7/11 down the road still provides top tier hot meals for relatively cheap. I found that the best restaurants that I have eaten at so far are ones that are hidden in an alleyway.

Initially, I was very concerned about the language barrier, but there is a very relaxed and accepting vibe to the people in Osaka. When I practice Japanese with people in restaurants or convenient stores, they help me with my pronunciation or general vocabulary while they practice their English simultaneously. There have been many times where I have had a funny conversation with a local over google translate.

My number one top tip for students in the future is to get out of your comfort zone. There will be many times where you will be anxious about something, but I can guarantee you it will pay off. The best experiences that I have had so far are ones that I am initially very nervous and uncomfortable about.

Come to Osaka! You won’t regret it!

Will Caligiore
Bachelor of Science in IT/Diploma in Professional Practice
Osaka University
Japan

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