Study Abroad Advice: Four Tips from Students

On July 11^th, 2023, three students returning from overseas study at the University of Calgary in Canada gave a presentation at Setsunan University to talk about their experiences. They talked in detail about their classes, life on campus, homestay families, and travels, and showed photos of their adventures to the audience.

One highlight of the presentation is the advice that they gave to second year Setsunan students who are thinking of studying abroad. Here are the top four tips they shared:

• Prepare to introduce your own country and culture. Students that you meet while studying abroad are deeply interested in hearing about Japan and Japanese culture. If you can talk about these topics, you will be better prepared for the cultural exchange that happens in your classes overseas. So, if you don’t know well about Japanese culture, be sure to learn about it before going abroad. Remember that cultural exchange is a two-way street.
• Set goals. If you truly want to improve your language skills, it is important to set goals. If you set goals, you will have something to work towards. Also, accomplishing goals can increase your motivation to study. Your goals don’t have to be big ones or ones related to your classes. You can set smaller, more personal goals. For example, why not set a goal to talk to two people you don’t know each day on campus, or try to order a pizza on the phone in English? Small goals such as these can also add a sense of adventure to your study abroad experience.
• Be the first to talk. If you want to make friends, you should make the first move. If you wait to be approached by others, you may not get the chance to make friends. If you talk to others first, they will get the message that you are interested in getting to know them. This is the first step towards creating a friendship.
• Spend time with your host family. If you spend time with your host family, your study abroad experience will become more rewarding. This give you the opportunity to get close to the culture and customs of daily life in the country you are studying in. So, don’t be shy and get involved!

So, if you are interested in studying abroad as a university student, why not consider becoming a student in the Faculty of International Studies at Setsunan University? If you do, you will receive advice and information from your seniors and support from your professors that will help you achieve your dream of studying abroad.

（報告：Todd Hooper講師）

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