- GaoJiewei from China-Japan program 2007

It’s been 3 months since I came to Japan. How time flies. Looking around my single room, it’s lonely to live alone, but international students always grow with loneliness.

I was excited facing a strange country. When I was on the plane to Japan, I was talking with a Japanese couple sitting next to me. They were very patient and nice, even though my Japanese wasn’t fluent. They proudly pointed the Mount Fuji for me when the plane flew over it. Before landing, they told me to study hard.

For these three months, the apartment university offers are pretty good. Although it’s small, it’s well-equipped. I live alone and cook every day. It’s difficult to cook in the beginning. Fortunately my mom taught me before I came to Japan.

The schedule in Japan is different from that in China. Classes are from 9 am to 12:10 pm, and resumed from 1 pm. The prices of commodities in Japan are high. Vegetables and fruits are sold by number and prices of meats are calculated by every 100 grams.

Garbage classification is not easy. You have to put a particular kind in a designated area. We had a lesson for it. Teachers in Japan are very nice and patient. They will remind us 2-3 times in case we don’t understand.

In November, I travelled to the ancient cultural cities Kyoto and Nara with three friends to experience the differences from Shizuoka. We participated in many activities here, which I think have expanded my horizons and enriched my experiences. These experiences are a treasure in my life and I need to have more.

Thank the journey overseas which makes be become independent. We’ve seen the world!