深めて！南山GLS　学生の活躍　学生コラム

ライティングセンターTA:CLWX

Last year, I came to Japan to further my studies at Nanzan University. As it was my first time leaving home and coming to a foreign country alone, I struggled with many aspects I did not expect. However, as a second-year student, I have found myself in a better place, where I have learned to embrace and overcome most of the challenges I faced during my first year here. Thus, this paper will discuss three things I wish I had expected when studying abroad in Japan, along with three strategies that helped me overcome these hurdles.

 

1. Communication Barrier

Despite attending a Japanese language school for one and a half years, I struggled to communicate or understand what others were saying when I started my study abroad journey in Japan. I realized that what I had learned in the classroom felt different from the everyday language, making it challenging to adapt and make friends as naturally as I did back home. Although I experienced many awkward moments learning how to interact, I gradually adjusted to the language by learning new phrases and vocabulary through everyday conversations. Over time, I realized how getting used to a language requires time and different experiences, where the most efficient way to improve is by constantly using it despite how uncomfortable it is at first. 

 

2. Loneliness

Living abroad in a foreign country without family and close friends left me feeling lonely and unmotivated when I first arrived in Japan. While I anticipated forming new friendships and meeting people, I found it hard to express myself, which made it difficult to share my feelings with those around me. This often left me with a sense of emptiness and isolation. Additionally, being aware of how different I looked from those around me made me feel out of place as I struggled to fit in and relate to others. However, I eventually adapted to life here by seeking happiness in the little things in my everyday life and finding purpose by spending time with people who made me feel at home. Moreover, my perspective towards loneliness had also started to change towards freedom and solitude as I began to discover new parts of myself with the 'extra' time I had in hand.

 

3. Academic Difficulties

With many of my classes conducted in Japanese, the sudden shift to writing reports and taking exams in a language I wasn't entirely comfortable with was challenging. Understanding lectures was sometimes difficult, and I struggled to keep up in class. Homework, reports, and presentations took more time than I was used to, leaving me constantly short on time. However, as someone who has high expectations for myself, I gradually broke through my limits and stepped out of my comfort zone. This made me realize how the thought of something being impossible to achieve can also be achieved through hard work and patience. Thus, this mindset of being able to accomplish the "impossibles" helped me feel not only more patient with myself, but also more comfortable in taking classes in Japanese, as I am aware of how putting effort into something is better than not taking any action at all. Although balancing academics and life remains an ongoing challenge, I've acknowledged my gradual improvement in Japanese, which motivates me to keep working harder.

 

These were some challenges I faced when I first started my study abroad journey in Japan. If you find yourself feeling the same way, I hope you know that you're not alone in this journey and that you may find something helpful here.

 

Here's some advice that helped me through my journey!

 

1. Confidence

Confidence helped me overcome most of the difficulties I faced while studying abroad. I've found that self-doubt is one of the biggest factors that held me back from reaching my potential. Being confident in my own decisions and capabilities allowed me to challenge myself and try new experiences. One of my life mottos is "fake it until you make it," I strongly believe that confidence plays a key role in even "faking" something in the first place. Moreover, it is important to remember that making mistakes is a normal part of learning and that imperfection is perfectly acceptable. Avoiding comparisons with others is crucial because everyone is fighting their own battles. By believing in myself, I've been able to adapt to new experiences, which has greatly influenced my mindset and perception of myself.

 

2. Determination

During tough times, it's easy to forget the reasons or goals that led us to choose a certain path. I've found it helpful to reflect on my initial goals from time to time, reminding myself of why I decided to study abroad in a foreign country. Keeping the bigger picture in mind helps me stay focused and motivates me to do better in achieving my aspirations. When things don't go well, staying determined builds resilience, which can also turn challenges into opportunities for growth.

 

3. Planning

Balancing life and academics is essential for a sustainable and enjoyable study abroad experience. Without proper planning and prioritization, it's easy to feel overwhelmed. Time management has been one of the most helpful ways to maintain a healthy and balanced lifestyle. Living alone means handling most of the "adulting" tasks, such as cooking, cleaning, and grocery shopping, by myself. Therefore, balancing these chores with academic responsibilities was challenging at first. Thus, having a schedule or creating a good routine helped me kick-start my study abroad journey.

 

These values and habits have helped me throughout my study abroad journey in Japan. Even though these are the challenges that I've gotten comfortable with, I still find myself facing new ones every day. As life is full of surprises and unexpected events, I've learned to find meaning in the good and bad moments of daily life. Ultimately, I believe studying abroad is a unique experience that should be embraced and enjoyed as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.