My Experience with School in Japan

I chose this school after searching various kinds of information about the school such as the classes offered (EJU, N1), the international environment, chance to meet many people around the world, and the fact of the school dormitory. As a student who already passed the N3 level before coming to Japan, my first class at the language school was the "intermediate class". So it was not necessary to study at the beginners class again. When I got selected to the "upper intermediate" class, I had a chance to choose the elective classes on Wednesdays and Fridays. My hope was to enter a university in Japan. So, the EJU class was really matching with my expectations. The teachers there were always helping me, not only in the lessons but also in the day to day life in Japan.

During my stay in the language school, there were some events where the students could experience Japanese culture. For the Tanabata festival, there was a decoration of a bamboo tree, and when there are special events in Japan, the teachers explain about them in the classes. Additionally, there was a matcha experience, Japanese traditional dancing experience, origami experience, and an experience of a Japanese museum.

Language Skills

To improve my Japanese language skills, I always tried to speak with native speakers. So that I could improve my speaking skills. To memorize kanji characters, I used to write them when I had time. The method used to improve myself is to get involved with native speakers as much as I can. If so, it would be the best way to learn about cultures and to improve language ability as well. Once I could not find the train line at the Shinjuku station, (when I just came to Japan) one kind lady helped me with it and we talked for a while. After a few days, I met the same lady and it was so nice to see her. Even at that time I had a chance to practice Japanese with a native speaker. So I think speaking with Japanese people is also one of the best ways to improve.

Working Part-Time

I was doing two part time jobs while studying. One of them is a convenience store and the other one is a Blowfish restaurant (Fugu). The beginning of life in Japan was quite harsh for me because I didn't know how to find a part time job at first and I was shy to speak in Japanese. One of the teachers of our school helped me to find a part time job at first (the convenient store close to our school). After that I wanted to experience something different from the convenience store. Then I found an advertisement on the internet and started another part time job at the blowfish restaurant.

It was so hard for me to balance both the studies and the part time job. Especially as I was studying for the EJU exam. Further, I'm not a student from a country which uses Kanji characters. So the situation was quite harsh. Finally, I think I was able to manage both of them because I was able to get selected to my dream university, Tokyo University of Foreign Studies.