“I Will Always Have Japan”
From April 2008 until March 2011 I studied at Osaka University earning a Master of International Public Policy from Osaka School of International Public Policy, while I also received a Graduate Certificate in European Union Studies from the European Union Institute in Japan. However, the overall experience of living and studying in Japan was more than a studying abroad period but rather a once in a life time experience.
I first took Japanese lessons back in 2005, not motivated by a passion for manga, martial arts or the Japanese culture but just because I wanted to study something I found interesting and without any utilitarian reason. There, I had a wonderful teacher who amongst others talked to us about the scholarship of the Japanese government and the prospect of studying in Japan. I founded it very fascinating and in 2007 I applied for the scholarship.
The screening process was quite demanding, especially since I had to find a university and establish contact with my potential supervisor on my own. However, I had a lot of help from former scholars, which I am thankful for. What is more, shortly after I took the exams I went to a summer school on Japanese language held by Waseda and Oregon University in Tokyo. Therefore I had the opportunity to meet Japan at first hand and get to know how my life will be as a ryugakusei. Therefore, contacting current or former scholars and if possible, visiting Japan, are two things I highly recommend to people who are interested in applying for the Monbukagakusho scholarship.
On January 2008 I was notified that I was officially granted the scholarship of the Japanese Ministry of Education and that I was going to study at Osaka University-School of International Public Policy. From that time my university sent me numerous orientation e-mails, in order to make my adjustment in Osaka as smooth as possible. And on the 1st of April 2008, there I was, taking the LH740 flight to Osaka!
It is needless to mention that the first days were not very easy. My Japanese were enough just to order food and hold some basic conversation, while I had to deal with various issues related to my academic and social life. However it was very helpful that I was living in a dormitory and I had the opportunity to make friends and receive a lot of help as it regards my establishment. At this point I need to praise the Japanese volunteers and the dormitory’s personnel for their assistance they offered to us while I was living in my dormitory. As it concerns the scholarship it was definitely enough and I could easily concentrate on my studies without worrying about financing my staying in Japan.
During my staying in Japan, I participated in an intensive Japanese language programme through which I was able to improve a lot my Japanese language skills. On the other hand, bear in mind that apart from the classes you need to spend a lot of hours studying and most important, try to speak in Japanese at any given opportunity. Do not be afraid of making mistakes and remember that soon you will be rewarded as your life will become considerably easier.
Of course during these three years there were a lot of difficulties I faced as it regards my studies or my daily life. There were times I just could not properly communicate, or I had to deal with complicated bureaucratic issues that looked like more than amaze to me. I can still recall myself wondering what is the connection between econometrics and washing clothes (sentaku in Japanese, which also means selection)! Still, though, I never stopped feeling that I was in a very secure country where most of its people were helpful and honest in their transactions.
Apart from my studies, living in Japan offered me various once in a lifetime opportunities. Participating in Japanese culture, meeting people and making good friends from all around the world, practicing aikido in a traditional dojo have all been an incredible experience. What is more, traveling not only around Japan but also in East and South East Asia has been a real treasure and I consider it as one of the biggest benefits of my staying in Japan. Watching the autumn leaves in Kyoto, feeling the cosmopolitan atmosphere of Tokyo, but also walking in the Great Wall and visiting the Wat Phra Kaew in Bangkok are unique.
To sum up, living and studying in Japan has been definitely an incredibly strong and important experience. That is why, not only do I feel grateful to the Japanese people and their government as well as to the people who helped me during those years but I highly recommend it as well.
