Eri ICHISE

Osaka University, Japan
Exchange to Monash University, Australia

I really appreciate receiving the Endeavor Australia Cheung Kong Award.

It had been my long-time dream to study abroad and broaden my horizon. I chose Monash University in Melbourne because Australia has a multicultural society composed of people from different ethnic and social backgrounds. As an Asian history student, I was interested in the relationship between Australia and Asia. In Melbourne where I studied, I got to meet many people from all over the world, working and studying as equal members of the society. Through my interaction and communication with different people in Australia, I got the chance to explore their different sense of value and also understand their mutual respect for such differences.

I was surprised by the fact that Japanese culture is much more popular in Australia than I expected. Japanese foods and Japanese popular culture could be found everywhere in the major cities of Australia. Even on our campus we could buy hand roll sushi. I also met a number of Japanese language students who could speak fluent Japanese.

Monash University has a Manga (comic book) library. I joined activities held by the Manga library such as translation sessions of Japanese comics into English. Through those sessions, I made friends with Australian students studying Japanese. The times I spent with those friends were some of the best memories I had of Australia. From them, I learnt how foreigners think and feel about Japan. It is interesting that now I sometimes find myself looking at Japan from their perspective.

Studying in English was a new experience for me. In Japanese universities, classes are conducted in Japanese even though we do study English as a foreign language subject. Therefore it was at first difficult for me to understand the lectures, to voice my opinions in tutorials and to write essays and exams in English. I began to make logical outlines before writing essays or speaking in academic situations to make myself be better understood. As a result, I believe this constant use of written and spoken English not only improved my language skills but also let me acquire the ability to think logically.

Traveling around Australia is another of my favourite memories too. Thanks to my Cheung Kong Scholarship, I was able to travel and visit numerous places during holiday breaks. I visited Sydney, Central Australia, Tasmania and the Gold Coast. I was especially impressed by the grand vista of the Australian outback in Central Australia. The inhabitants there were very nice and friendly as well. I will never forget the image of Uluru from a close distance. Those traveling experiences with friends enriched my mind.

All in all, I believe my exchange experiences have brought great changes to my life. The friends that I have made and the many wonderful things that I have experienced are my most important treasures which I will also cherish. Receiving the Endeavour Australia Cheung Kong Awards is a great honour for me and I hope the Awards will continue to benefit students like me.

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