Korean Student in Tokyo

12. January 2012 · Write a comment · Categories: Foreign students in Japan · Tags: , ,

Age: 20
Occupation: Student
Original: South Korea
Length of stay in Japan: 4 months

Q1.What brought you to Japan?
I decided to study in Japan because Japan and Korea have a close relationship.
Additionally, since I am already native in both Korean and English, it will be my advantage when getting a job if I can speak Japanese.

Q2.What kind of impression did you have toward the Japan before coming?
I thought it would be hard to make Japanese friends in Japan.

Q3.Did your impression change?
People in Japan are very friendly so it was actually easier to make Japanese friends than I expected.

Q4.What kinds of impression do you have towards the Japanese people?
The Japanese people, especially the students in my university are very kind and open-minded to the international students. I like how they are very active talking to us.

Q5.Which places in Japan do you want to visit?
I am interested to visit Kansai area, especially Osaka because the culture in Osaka is totally different from the one in Tokyo. I want to feel the Osaka by visiting there.

Korean Student in Japan

11. January 2012 · Write a comment · Categories: Foreign students in Japan

Occupation: Student
Original: South Korea
Length of stay in Japan: 5 years

Q1.What brought you to Japan?

I decided to study in Japan because I was learning Japanese when I lived in Korea and
I thought that Japanese is very similar to Korean comparing to other languages. Also,
when I traveled to Japan, my friend who was studying here really recommended the great
experience.

Q2.What kind of impression did you have toward Japan before coming?

Since I have a Japanese relative and I watched Japanese TV shows often in Korea, I have
already grew a sense of affinity with Japan. Before coming here, I had an impression that
Japan is a closely related but somehow different country from Korea.
Q3.Did your impression change?

After living in Japan and communicating with the Japanese people, I discovered that
Japanese people are individualists. Comparing with Koreans, Japanese people try their
best not to annoy others. On the other hand, Korean people try their best to help one
another. Koreans value “emotion” very much, so it was something new for me.
Q4.Which Japanese culture do you like the most?
I love TV shows, especially, Kohaku Uta Gassen (the annual contest between male and
female popular singers) on New Year’s Eve.
Singers from various ages groups competing in the same show is very unusual, and it is
one of the rare shows that everyone can enjoy.
Q5.Which places in Japan do you recommend the most?
Definitely Atami and Asakusa. Atami has great onsen and beaches so that people can
have a very relaxing time. Asakusa is a place with traditional atmosphere, while in the
background Sky Tree is the highest modern tower in Japan. Asakusa is also recommended
for its easy access being inside Tokyo city.

Chinese Student in Japan

11. January 2012 · Write a comment · Categories: Foreign students in Japan · Tags: , , ,

Age: 23
Occupation: Student
Country: China
How many times have you ever been to Japan?: 1

DSC03018 300x227 Chinese Student in Japan

Q1. Why did you come to Japan?
I had been studying Japanese for 4 years at university in China, and I wanted to learn ‘real
Japanese’ in Japan.

Q2.What did you think of Japan before you came here?
Japanese TV drama, anime, and fashion magazine made me believe that there are many
cool, cute and stylish people in Japan.
I couldn’t understand that Japanese eat raw fish.

Q3.Did the impression change after you came here?
I think Japanese people are stylish, as I had thought of.
But I had to change my mind about eating raw fish. I realized how delicious it is as I tried it
for the first time. Even though I thought I could never eat raw fish, I LOVE Sushi now.

Q4.What do you think is the attraction of Japan?
Delicious food, cute clothes and clean environment.

Q5.What do you think is inconvenient to live in Japan?
It is difficult for me to take trains here. The train system is so complicated that I sometimes
have trouble changing in between lines. I am more used to it now, but still once I took the
wrong train and couldn’t reach my destination.

Q6. What would you recommend for foreigners who are visiting Japan?
I would recommend 100 Yen Shops. They sell high quality items at a low price.
Also, I definitely recommend Japanese food. My favorites are Sushi, macca green tea
desserts, and cooking oil. I prefer Japanese cooking oil because it is healthy and less
greasy than Chinese one.