Impact of Study Abroad

Interviewers: Terakado Yuka, Paramawati Risma

INTRODUCTION

Risma　：　Haazimah san, can you introduce yourself, please?
Haazimah　：　Hello, I'm Haazimah and I'm from Brunei. I studied at Ibaraki University in 2019, which is from April until August. So that was a few years ago. My major is Economics. I did take other subjects. I studied the Japanese language in my university and even during my free time. So, I had some knowledge of Japanese when I came to Ibaraki University.

THE REASON FOR CHOOSING IBARAKI UNIVERSITY TO STUDY ABROAD

Risma　：　Can you tell us why you chose Japan, especially Ibaraki University, to study abroad?
Haazimah　：　Yes. I guess it's kind of, I don't know if it's a long story. But, I did initially, I watch anime, I was a big fan of anime and I watch a lot of anime. I listen to some J-pop. I also had some interests in learning Japanese, which was the first foreign language that I learned on my own. And for a long time, I guess I wanted to go to Japan. But at some points, I kind of changed, like, maybe because I did one feature plan once for the Summer program, I thought I wanted to go somewhere else, but somehow, I still ended up in Japan for my study abroad. I think initially I was supposed to go to another university. But a friend of mine convinced me to go to Ibaraki University and I thought my friend was alone and wanted me to accompany him. I also had some Japanese friends at Ibaraki University. So, I thought why not? And yes, I ended up going to Ibaraki University and I did not regret it.
Yuka　：　I think many international students will start being interested in Japan because of the anime.
Haazimah　：　Yeah, that's true. That was my interest. That was the reason why I chose Japan because I used to. I was a big fan of anime. I used to watch a lot of anime, but it seemed I also study Japanese a lot. So, I thought, you know, I guess I get to practice.

WHAT DID SHE FEEL WHEN LIVED IN JAPAN?

Risma　：　How did you feel when you first arrived in Japan? Or when you first started studying on campus? Like did you feel any culture shock in Japan?
Haazimah　：　Yes. Before I came to Ibaraki University, I did go to Japan before that because of Summer program. I think there’s some close to shopping like “What was it?” I guess I was surprised if you see that there are a lot of convenience stores. It's like every corner and it's so convenient. And then I see a lot of vending machines. That's for every corner I go like, “Oh my God, there's another vending machine.” And I was surprised.
I get a rough-in University. You know I thought because I arrived during spring, then like an anime, like in drama there's like a lot of cherry blossom Sakura trees. But then, I arrived there like there's only like one or like there's only a few that I was “Oh my God. So, it's different.” Yes. I was like shocked. I thought you know, there would be a lot of stuff like Sakura tree. Like those animes, but I was so wrong. And then another one that I was so surprised that when I arrived at Ibaraki University, I was surprised of the international students spoke Japanese instead of English. Because I have this expectation that English is an international language and people know them. And I thought I'm going to speak English with them. But it turns out they spoke Japanese to me all the time. And I was shocked like “What? No more English?” I was really, really shocked.

HER EXPERIENCES DURING STUDIED ABROAD

Risma　：　What is your greatest experience during study abroad?
Haazimah　：　I think a lot of experiences were at Ibaraki University, actually like when I studied there, it was actually my greatest experience the whole thing. I know it's shocking, but I guess it's because of the people. And you know, I like how the dorm has a lounge where people can hang out there. And that's also where I also met my closest friend. I was really surprised that I did not expect to meet someone who I really get along with and someone with whom actually I spent a lot of time together with this friend. So, we had a lot of fun during our time there. So, and then I learned a lot as well and also I actually met my ex-boyfriend at Ibaraki University as well.
Yuka　：　Did you live in Kaikan?
Haazimah　：　Yes and that's where I think they have lunch there, like on the ground floor. So that's where I meet and hang out with these people. Yeah, it was fun.
Risma　：　That is your greatest experience. What about, did you experience any difficult situations as a student over there?
bHaazimah　：　Yeah, I think one of the biggest ones would be I had a hard time keeping my room organized. Yeah, it's very personal. But the thing is before I studied abroad, my room wasn't that messy. But when I studied abroad, like studying, my room is so messy. Like I was shocked and was like “How did my room get so messy?” And I just didn't have the time to clean it up because I either go outside or like hang out with my friends or take classes and I don't know why I just couldn't organize my room.
I think another one is, I guess it's like a Muslim. I think a difficult one is finding halal food in Ibaraki because usually, it's like in the big city. And I think the prayer room is also limited. I guess those were things that I considered quite difficult.

WHAT DID SHE LEARN AT IBARAKI UNIVERSITY?

Risma　：　What kind of lessons did you take while studying abroad? Maybe like your favorite subject?
Haazimah　：　I think Japanese Pop Culture class was quite fun because we did some field trips. And then it was like a class about anime and pop culture. I think another one is Accounting class, it was like a really intensive class like we had to attend I think during the weekends like Saturday and Sunday for a few hours. But I'd like the class because I like how the teacher teaches and I also like how accounting is usually like different. Usually, accounting focus on numbers but this one focus more on theory and real-life examples. I like that class but it was so tiring. And I got burned out because you know like during the weekday, I have classes, but I also have to attend this class as I think during weekends for a few hours. It was very intense, but it was I liked it. I think that is one of my favorite classes.
Risma　：　So you did a trip in Japanese pop culture class?
Haazimah　：　We did a trip. Like, I remember that there was one trip we had to go to this island. I don't remember what island it was like. It was a small place only like few kilometers. It was about an anime. We had to do interviews because also as a group we had to do certain activities, like about something about this anime. And because that place is like, it's an animated team place. GIRLSundPANZER, that's the anime. I don’t remember what's the place name. But we had to do interviews and we had to like check on the places for the homework for like a new project. And I think we did some testimony as well. But I think there was another class I remember what class it like we were attended the usual tea ceremony. I think we also have planted.
Yuka　：　Probably GIRLSundPANZER is Oarai.
Haazimah　：　Ohh yes. That's definitely we went to Oarai. We walk like the whole I guess few kilometers from the end to one end just to I think we wanted to get like some sort of checkpoint or something because they had this map. Yeah, we went to Oarai. I remember now.

WHAT WAS HER DAILY LIFE WHEN STUDIED ABROAD?

Risma　：　What did you do besides study when you were a student in Ibaraki? Like you, you say that you are hanging out with friends. Did you travel or did a part-time job?
Haazimah　：　I hang out with my friends. I think my favorite place to go was the lounge because I think at that time someone paid for Netflix. They're like as in they had a TV and sometimes, we watch movies there and then we do homework together, sometimes in the lounge, sometimes I just with my friend. We talked for hours.
I did travel as well, like around Mito City and also outside, also Ibaraki. I also spent some time alone as well, in my room as I do. Because at that time I reflected and contacted a lot, like on myself, I work on myself, I journal, I guess I write a lot of things. Other than that, sometimes I just shopping in the convenience store. I did take JLPT during my time there

WHAT SHE GAINED WHILE STUDYING ABROAD?

Risma　：　What benefits do you think you got while studying at Ibaraki as a student? Did it affect your life or your society or your career?
Haazimah　：　Of course, there are some benefits. Right now I'm a part-time Japanese tutor, so I will be teaching beginner Japanese. I haven't started yet, but right now I'm just preparing. Because at Ibaraki University we had to study Japanese, right? then I also practiced a lot of Japanese at Ibaraki University. That was beneficial. Like I'm sure it will help in this part-time job. And during my stay in Ibaraki, as I told you, a lot of international students, like they speak Japanese, right? So, I had to actually speak Japanese with them. So, it was like I had to practice.
Then other ones are the people I meet like they are still people I keep in touch with, especially this close friend, I learned a lot from her and if I hadn't met her I wouldn't know some of the stuff and then I would be like a different person I guess. And it's more personal but I did experience a lot of personal growth as well and studying abroad also open some new perspectives. You get to know people from different backgrounds. Get to know them, their perspective, and their culture. I did learn a lot while I was studying abroad.
Yuka　：　How did you make your experience of studying abroad for your career or life?
Haazimah　：　So in terms of the carrier, I mentioned, it's useful because it just happened that I'm also I'm gonna be a part-time Japanese language teacher. So, I had some knowledge on it and I get to apply that knowledge. And in terms of life, it would be the things I learned there because some of the subjects are still useful in some ways. And also the people I meet, like my close friends. I grow a lot because of her and because of the people I need. And personally, it's. It's very useful to me.

A MESSAGE FOR STUDENT

Risma　：　Can you give a message to students studying aboard as we have like right now?
Haazimah　：　So because I only studied for one semester, I guess. A message that's interesting because enjoy while you're there. I think it's one in a lifetime experience in this sense. As you know, you don't study abroad often. Like sometimes people just study like ones abroad or some would study longer. Then enjoy, but also like don't forget to learn. So, learn as much as you can, meet as many people as you can, you know like talk to them, learn from them.
And sometimes people you know from the same country like to be together. I would advise that you hang out with other people from other countries as well, like other cultures. Mingle with them, be closed off and just hang out with your Steam Country group, or group of friends, we are open to new things. Go travel around Japan, learn about Japan. Like discovering more about the country, and the culture. And also, like sometimes some things you need there like with the people interact. Sometimes it helps you personally as well, like with your personal growth, like I'm sure there are a lot of things you can learn because you know when you study your problem and you're like in another country, you get to see a different perspective like it's different from your own country. So, you get to have like a fresh experience. So yeah, just and definitely don't forget like study but also enjoy as well.