Karla ZULUAGA

Student of Macquarie University, Australia
Exchange to Ritsumeikan University, Japan

Even before entering university it had been my goal to study in Japan. So when the day finally came to leave for Japan, it's a bit of an understatement to say that I was excited. I was ready to live in a new country, improve my language skills, meet new people and take on any experience that came my way. But I wasn't ready for how much of an impact it would have on me.

Like any new experiences, there were challenges to overcome. The first few weeks of classes were difficult. I remember sitting in class having no idea what was happening or what I was supposed to do. Listening and speaking were always my weakest skills in Japanese. So I did something about that, I tried to have conversations with strangers all the time, whether it be at the sellers at flea markets, Japanese student groups that I would meet at temples, or just asking for directions on the street. Everyone was always so happy to chat because I think they knew that I was making an effort to learn the language. In time I could understand exactly what was being discussed in class, and although my Japanese still needs a lot of work, it has vastly improved from this experience.

Going on exchange isn't all about studying, but the people you meet along the way. In Kyoto, I lived in an International House with the best group of people I could have hoped for. They very much became my family in Japan, and I still miss them every day. It didn't matter that I saw them at university, at home and we would even go out together, I never got sick of them. It was such a diverse mix of cultures and unique personalities that made everything fun and interesting.

Beyond the study and the people I met, my exchange experience would not be complete if I hadn't adopted the lifestyle there. I rode my bike around the magnificent city every day, visited countless temples and shrines, marvelled at the blooming cherry blossoms, watched traditional Japanese music and dramatic performances, tried a variety of Japanese food, attended numerous festivals, travelled throughout Japan and even made 1000 cranes to bring to the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park.

Everything about my experience studying abroad was amazing. If there was only one thing I could change, it would be that I stayed another semester, but alas it was time to go. I will never forget the friends that I made or the experiences I had. Hopefully, I can return to Kyoto again and call it my home once more.

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