I set a goal to study in Japan after reading a book in elementary school. At that time, I enjoyed visiting the school library. After reading a book that introduced Japan, I became fascinated with Japanese culture. That was the turning point that led me to start learning Japanese, and I developed a strong desire to explore the Japanese language and literature further. This passion motivated me to major in Japanese language and literature at university. Since starting my university studies, I have mainly focused on reading novels, but most of them were translations, and there were only a few original Japanese works. Therefore, during my study abroad in Japan, I hope to read books in Japanese at the university library and experience the unique beauty of the language that can’t be conveyed through translations. Through this experience, I want to spend my time abroad improving my Japanese language skills while reading literary works written in Japanese. Another important goal is to shape the direction of my future by living in Japan. I would like to apply my strengths to learn business Japanese while considering job opportunities in Japan and use self-reflection to guide my career path after graduation.

Studying abroad in Japan gave me the opportunity to experience many new things. Every day was filled with discoveries, but I’d like to talk about some experiences that were especially meaningful to me.

First of all, I was able to make Japanese friends. The Japanese students I met through classes and club activities were all kind and helped me get used to life in Japan. We went together to places like Kobe Port and Universal Studios in Osaka, and we had fun talking about our thoughts and cultural differences. I really enjoyed spending time with them and was happy to have the chance to interact with Japanese university students in such a natural and fun way.

Next, I got to experience Japanese culture firsthand. In spring, I went cherry blossom viewing and had a picnic. In summer, I enjoyed the festive atmosphere by visiting food stalls at festivals and watching fireworks. Through these experiences, I learned how Japanese people enjoy and appreciate the seasons.

Lastly, I traveled to many different places in Japan and learned a lot through those journeys. I visited Himeji Castle in Kobe, hiked Mount Wakakusa in Nara, and saw Tsutenkaku Tower in Osaka. Each of these experiences was new and exciting for me. I also went to Sapporo in Hokkaido, where I tried soup curry and jingisukan for the first time. Through these trips, I came to understand the regional differences and unique characteristics of various parts of Japan. It made me realize how important it is to experience things for yourself.

From now on, I want to keep trying new things, talk to many different people, and continue having valuable experiences.