Yasmine SHABANEH

Student of University of Tasmania, Australia
Exchange to Nagoya University of Foreign Studies, Japan

I have dreamed of studying at a Japanese university ever since I was a high school student. Seven years later, I was granted this opportunity by University of Tasmania and the Endeavour Australia Cheung Kong Awards.

In high school, I had a friend whose elder sister studied at a university in Japan. I loved the stories of her time there. I would often imagine the kind of place it would be and the kind of stories I could return with. In my final year of high school, I was fortunate enough to study at a Japanese high school in Tokyo during the summer break. Next to my high school in Tokyo was a university. I would often see the students from the university pass by and dream of attending a university like it myself.

I finally embarked on my adventure to a university in the small Japanese city of Nisshin in March 2017 for one academic year. I was lucky enough to arrive in time for the cherry blossom festival or "Hanami". This is a special time in Japan, since the cherry blossoms only bloom for a short period once a year. I celebrated "Hanami" the traditional Japanese way with fellow students at my partner institute - Nagoya University of Foreign Studies ("NUFS"). We had a picnic under the cherry blossom trees and watched local performances. This was a lovely start to my year abroad.

NUFS provided me with many opportunities to connect with locals and fellow exchange students from all around the world. The university hired me as a tutor to aid local students in advancing their English skills. I also participated in a university volunteering group which visited retirement homes and schools. The classes there were intensive but aided me in my goal of improving my Japanese.

During the summer break, I explored many different areas of Japan each with distinct sights, delicacies and historical backgrounds. I scuba dived for the first time in Okinawa. I visited Ōkunoshima – an island that now promotes peace after its dark history during World War II and is now full of gorgeous rabbits. I took part in a local summer festival in Shikoku and visited a locally known hot spring that will unfortunately close in the next few years.

I am truly grateful to the Endeavour Australia Cheung Kong Awards for presenting me with the opportunity to explore a country that has always fascinated me with its rich history and culture. I have made many wonderful memories that I will always cherish. I learned a lot about the language and culture which will help me in my future career as a language teacher.

For all those who are thinking of studying abroad, I recommend embracing it and all that it has to offer.

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