Sheryn LEE

Student of University of Technology, Sydney, Australia
Exchange to Sapporo University, Japan

Spending a year exchange in Japan was one of the most exciting and fulfilling times of my life. Over the year, I was not only immersed in Japanese language, culture and traditions but also met lifelong friends. At first, it was quite daunting to arrive in Sapporo at -4 degrees, but the snow was so white and pure, blown in by the winds from Siberia.

The exchange year at Sapporo University was invaluable for learning Japanese. We were encouraged by the university to take classes with Japanese students as well as take Japanese language classes. The teachers were fantastic and supportive, and their encouragement led us to pass the Japanese Language Proficiency Test Level 2 at the end of a year, a feat which was incredibly daunting at the beginning of our exchange. Additionally, the Japanese students always took us out to try new and different experiences around Hokkaido. From travelling to the port town of Otaru to eat fresh sashimi, to taking in the flower festivals at Furano and experiencing an onsen during the snowfall, I could not have asked for a more beautiful environment to be surrounded by for a year.

During the summer break I took the opportunity to travel from the north of Japan to the south, via the east coast. I visited Sendai to visit one of Japan’s three great waterfalls, Akiu Otaki Falls, and took a boat ride through the islands of Matsushima. From Sendai, I rented a car and drove to Nagoya, where I rode the famous bullet train to Tokyo in an attempt to glimpse Mt. Fuji (sadly, too much fog), and then traversed Tokyo city via the intricate Japan Rail system. In the southwest of Japan, I met with friends who took me to see the crazy deer of Nara, the overwhelming temples of Kyoto, the famous steak from Kobe, and the incredible nightlife and food of Osaka. Heading further south, I took a ferry to the isolated island of Shikoku to visit the venerable hot springs of Dogo Onsen at Matsuyama and eat the famous udon of Takamatsu. From there, I headed to Okinawa, narrowly avoiding a typhoon to enjoy some of the most beautiful and pristine white sandy beaches and coral reefs.

I thoroughly enjoyed my time in Japan, and I will never forget the extended time I was able to live and study there. It was a country that was so hard to leave, not just for the surroundings but also the warm and lovely people. It pushed me further to continue my studies in international studies and communications, and left me with the desire to experience living all around the world.

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