I have always wanted to study abroad. I devoted myself to studying English from the age of 6, and then everything changed in high school when I picked up Japanese classes. I still remember a teacher or other students making jokes of me in high school, but… I managed! Coming to Hiroshima University was my dreams come true and the best decision of my life. I still remember the very first day of arriving in Saijo, when my tutor picked up from the train station and we headed to the dormitory. I left my luggage there and he took me shopping. He was like… ‘you need a mattress, some soap and shampoo, a laundry detergent and clamps, a toilet brush, a pot, an alarm clock’ and a bunch of other everyday life items. I was a bit shocked, overwhelmed with the attractiveness of Japanese shops and I ended up saying that I will come back to get other stuff later as I need to get used to everything first. I regret having said that, as it might have been a bit rude, in fact I am really thankful. I came to Hiroshima University with a set attitude. I didn’t want to make any friends, just wanted to focus on studying to get the best use of this exchange year in Japan I had. At any university you are going to meet people from different backgrounds, with different priorities and aims, however what I can say now is do not limit yourself to anything, do not set any boundaries for your own growth. Reach for the sky.

      My HUSA year was extremely busy. I signed up for a lot of courses, even extremely difficult internship class for which interview I failed, however I have never given up. For some magical reason, I was allowed to enter the internship course and gradually over time I achieved a leading position there. We made a movie promoting the city and a guidebook filled with tourist attractions of Kurahashi and Etajima.

      Hiroshima University’s environment is just amazing for studying; the atmosphere filled me with so much passion for further growth that I wish it was possible to go there again. The environment, the campus, the students, the workers of food courts or libraries, the university professors, the city of Higashi Hiroshima itself is just a perfect place for your studies. I still remember how many trip or party invites I had to give up to submit homework or to prepare for presentations, but I regret none of it. Somehow fellow students, who had more time to socialize, travel or explore the city of Hiroshima were really understanding for me perusing my way in academics. I am really grateful. I still keep in touch with many of them and I hope we will be able to meet them someday when I come back to Japan.

      I know there are a lot of worries regarding going abroad to study, but Hiroshima University has been accepting exchange students for many, many years now and they are really experienced when it comes to students support. The university is really supporting to its students and their everyday life challenges. Being totally honest, thanks to Hiroshima University and its NOIE system I was able to get an internship in the headquarters of Mazda Motor Corporation in Hiroshima City. Definitely sign up for it! You never know what’s going to come!