Because I want to chase the opportunity to see the world, to communicate with different people and to know myself better. Ever since I was a child, I've been fascinated by different cultures, with a particular interest in Japanese culture. The respectful communication of Japanese touched me a lot.
　But I never went abroad before I went to university owing to my family’s economic situation and the classic model of education I had been taught by. After completing my university entrance exams, I went to Beijing Foreign Study University and finally got the chance to study Japanese. Choosing Japanese as my major, I dedicated myself to pursuing my dream.
　By studying abroad, I can experience a brand-new country with incredible new outlooks, customs and activities. This will not just improve my language skills but also let me immerse myself in its culture firsthand. Those new terrains, natural wonders, museums and landmarks, all of them can broaden my horizon and become part of my strength to challenge my life. while all in all, I really want to see how far I can go.

Studying abroad in Kobe has been a journey of uncertainty, trial, and growth. As time went by, I realized that my greatest opportunities for growth might actually lie within my perceived weaknesses.

Near the end of my exchange program, I participated in a study abroad fair at my faculty. Alongside other international students, I shared my experiences and offered advice to those interested in studying overseas. Talking with the participants reminded me of who I was just a year ago—someone who didn’t even know how to take the electric train in Japan. Now, I’d grown comfortable with life in Kobe.

Kobe is a city full of contrasts. Its architecture reflects deep history and international influence, while the surrounding mountains and sea highlight a harmony between people and nature. Living in this environment helped me appreciate life's small joys and broadened my perspective.

I used to constantly worry about what I "should" do or what the "right" answer was. But through conversations with people I met at school, part-time job, and while traveling, I had an important realization: before asking "What should I do?", I first need to ask, "How do I want to live?"

I haven’t found that answer yet, but I want to keep searching, using the experiences and knowledge I gained this year.

One perspective-shifting experience was taking classes outside my major. While I normally study Japanese language and culture, in Kobe I explored psychology, ethics, and landscape heritage. I didn’t always grasp everything, but I valued seeing how different fields interpret the world and structure knowledge meaningfully.

One unforgettable moment was spending New Year's Eve at Gomo Shrine near my dorm. Wanting to welcome the year with others, I joined the local tradition of ringing the temple bell. After I rang it, the priest smiled and said, “That was a clear, resonant sound.” To my surprise, the lucky charm I received bore the number “69”—coincidentally, my birthday is June 9th. It felt like a sign of good things to come.

When choosing a photo to represent this journey, I considered Kobe’s beautiful scenery or campus life shots. But ultimately, I chose one from that New Year’s celebration—grateful both to the person who took it and to those who shared that special night with me.

There’s still so much I could say, but for now, I’ll end here. My study abroad experience may be over, but life continues—and so does my story.

My experience studying in Japan has convinced me that studying abroad is a powerful way to broaden one’s horizons. Not only does it improve our language skills and intercultural understanding, but more significantly, it creates opportunities for genuine exchange with people from diverse backgrounds. Through these interactions, we can co-create new values and perspectives together.

Over the past months, I've had countless moments of discovery—those “Aha” moments. I was especially surprised to hear greetings like “おはようございます(Good morning) ” used not in the morning but in the afternoon at my part-time job, or to learn about “やさしい日本語(Simplified Japanese) ”, developed in response to disasters like earthquakes and the needs of a multicultural society. One of the most memorable moments was meeting older students who returned to university after retiring. They showed me that learning truly has no age limit.

In a course called Japanese Society and Culture, we explored social issues from both personal and cultural angles. Discussing these topics with classmates from different parts of the world led us to ask questions like, “What challenges do we each face in our own lives?” and “What can we actually do to make things better?” These conversations really reinforced how crucial communication is—not just for personal growth, but for social and even national progress.

This journey also reshaped how I see language learning. Despite all those modern communication tools we have, I’ve come to believe that face-to-face communication remains the most powerful way to connect with others. Words uniquely inspire, heal, and build bridges between people.

Moving forward, I want to keep improving my language skills—not just for fluency, but to truly understand others and express myself more clearly.