Sophia University, Japan – Global Exchange

My time at Sophia university has so far been the most valuable experience of my adult life. Firstly, it is an international university and is very English friendly. This may seem like a strange statement in a world where English is the de facto international language, however, I was not prepared for the lack English proficiency among the general Japanese populace. Largely I have seen this as a positive thing, it has forced me to go outside my comfort zone and attempt the little Japanese I have so far managed to learn. This does become quite tiring for someone who hasn’t come here to study the language, and so the ability to express any potentially major concerns or ask important questions (such as where to find an English speaking doctor) is a welcome convenience when the more mundane activities can at times be difficult to navigate.

Sophia is located in central Tokyo at Yotsuya station, only one stop away from Shinjuku. A major benefit of the location is that it is on the Chuo Line which runs from the very west of the prefecture all the way into the city centre. I live in Koganei, some half an hour away by train and between my station and Yotsuya there are countless suburbs with plenty of interesting and fun activities just a short walk from their respective stations. Living on this line is therefore extremely beneficial as the student Suica pass, which cost me around $400 for the entire stay, covers all trips going from Koganei to Yotsuya and vice versa. This means I can depart the train at any of the stations in between, or even visit these stations on weekends, all covered by the Suica card. While living in Japan has been far cheaper than Sydney, without the student Suica card, the train fares can become quite expensive if you are travelling two to five times per day, which is quite common.

My favourite place to visit after school is Kichijoji where they have an incredibly beautiful park and pond as well as many izakaya and yakatori as well as the Harmonica Yokocho famous for its standing bars. Here I often sit with a book and watch the ducks swim around as the sun sets on the water.

One of the courses I have been studying is a comprehensive introduction to Japanese religions and the park at Kichijoji has a gorgeous shrine dedicated to the incredibly important kami (Japanese deity) Amaterasu. Much of the course has been focused on religious practice of Shinto and so I have been able to observe the veneration and care of the shrine during my afternoon visits, a perfect way to see what I have studied be put into practice in the real world. Here is where I implore anyone reading to enrol in subjects specific to Japan. I study courses in Japanese history and religion and have found them to enrich my travelling experience. Not only have I learned about interesting historical and religious sites that would otherwise been unknown to me, but I have developed a far deeper understanding of their significance, making visits far more interesting than they otherwise would have been.

Adam Montefiore
Bachelor of Arts in Communication (Journalism)
Sophia University, Japan
New Colombo Plan Mobility Grant

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