I remember when I was 5 or 6, my parents used to ask me and my sister where we want to go, if we have a chance to go abroad. Our reply was always: Far East! Different than my sister who dreamed about visiting Korea, I kept choosing Japan. As I started university, studying computer sciences made me more interested in Japan. Neither starting to study Japanese nor being elected for the scholarship, made me have even a clue about how wonderful a one-year exchange program in Japan could be.
When the nicest people ever as gpick up service volunteersh greeted me in Shinjuku, my dream
started. Having Tokyo tour, several welcome parties and memorizing names, or at least trying to do so... Last one was the only bitter thing in my memory from the first weeks.
As a resident of International Student House, meeting with people from sixteen different countries, listening their way of understanding, tasting pieces of very unique cuisines, watching movies in movie nights, unforgettable- Tuesdays form eight p.m., softened my very little difficulties come up because of living in a foreign country.
The classes were even better. Best professors, very rich libraries, best technical facilities cooled my worries about language problems. I figure out that, my job will be harder than some other exchange students, because I had to study not only Japanese but also English, simultaneously.
As time passed and as we started to be familiar with the neighborhood and transportation system, small trips triggered big trip plans. The most lunatic trip was going to Yokohama by bike! Another trip was to an ginakah. Kamiizumi village in Saitama City and my new family whom I am still in contact with also took its place in good memories.
When I turn my face a little back in time, I changed a lot in positive sense. Everyone knows that life is not easy and everyone knows that, once you make good friendship and find a lovely place you do not want to leave it. That is exactly what I am thinking right now. My sour experiences are gone with the wind. What left is, I feel sorry, because we should turn back to wherever our places in the world but Nishi Waseda was my home for eight months. Everything up to now turned out to be the best experience in my entire life. I am so thankful to those gave me this opportunity.
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