Two exchange students from the Graduate School of Sport Sciences shared their experiences of life in Japan and at Waseda University. The participants were graduate students Ahmet Hakan CALISKAN and Sofia CERETTA from the German Sports University, Cologne.
Ahmet Hakan CALISKAN：German Sports University, Cologne
Q1. What made you decide to come to Waseda to study?
Waseda’s reputation as one of Japan’s top universities with a rich academic history appealed to me. Moreover, Waseda’s location in Tokyo, a vibrant and dynamic global city, was a significant factor in my decision. Tokyo’s cultural diversity, technological advancements, and numerous opportunities for personal and professional growth were incredibly enticing. I believed that studying at Waseda would not only provide me with an exceptional education but also expose me to an international environment that fosters cross-cultural understanding and collaboration. Overall, the combination of Waseda’s academic excellence, Tokyo’s global prominence, and the potential for personal and professional growth made studying at Waseda an enticing choice for me.
Q2．What are you currently studying at Waseda?
I am studying Sports Management in the Sports Science department.
Q3. Please describe one memorable experience with a professor and/or class.
I am taking the practical Basketball class in Japanese. In the beginning it was tough to understand as the language barrier was big. But with the help of the professor and the classmates we manage to bring great matchups on the court on a weekly basis.
Q7．What differences do you perceive between Japanese and your universities?
German universities typically rely heavily on end-of-semester exams as the primary assessment method. These exams tend to cover a broader range of content. In contrast, Japanese universities often employ a combination of exams, assignments, research papers, and presentations, allowing for a more comprehensive evaluation of students’ knowledge and skills. Waseda classrooms tend to have a more hierarchical structure, where students show great respect towards professors and authority figures. In German universities, there is generally a more egalitarian atmosphere, with students and professors engaging in open discussions and debates. Waseda provides a wide array of extracurricular activities and clubs, allowing students to explore various interests and socialize. German universities, on the other hand, may have a more decentralized campus environment, with students engaging in a range of activities both on and off-campus.
Q9．What surprised you the most when you came to Japan?
I expected Japanese people to be very reserved and passive. However, they are very open when you get into talks with them. Japanese people are very friendly and excited to meet foreign people.
Q12. What are your plans and outlook for the future?
After my academic career, I am looking forward to pursuing a career in the cooperate field to help access sports for everybody around the globe.
Sofia CERETTA：German Sports University, Cologne
Q1. What made you decide to come to Waseda to study?
Waseda is ranked top 50 for sports-related subjects in the world, so from the moment I saw that it was a partner university of the German Sport University of Cologne, I applied for it, without even telling my family. I wanted to come here and when I take a decision it is hard to make me change my mind.
Q2．What are you currently studying at Waseda?
Unfortunately, I am only attending two courses as two other courses I was interested in have been cancelled. I’m studying Environmental Law in Japan and Sports and New Media.
Q3. Please describe one memorable experience with a professor and/or class.
A funny moment during the Environmental Law in Japan class was when my classmates proposed to go and have a dinner at Saizeriya. Don’t get me wrong, it was nice from them to propose to go to an Italian place for dinner, but it is hard to trust Italian restaurants outside Italy.
Q4. Tell us about your campus life at Waseda University.
I really like Waseda Main Campus and Toyama Campus, where I spend most of my time working and going to the gym. The green space near Toyama Campus has saved my days during the spring semester, offering me a quiet place to rest and relax.
Q5. What did you gain from studying at Waseda University?
I guess this experience made me growth a lot from a personal point of view. The beginning of this experience was not easy, especially when going through all the Japanese bureaucracy. Once I was finally done with that, I started to fully enjoy this experience. Thinking about what I gained from this, with no doubts I have learned how to embrace a different reality far from home and keep dreaming about my career.
Q6. How easy or difficult was it for you to meet people and make friends as an international student?
I wouldn’t say it was difficult to meet new people, but for sure it was easier to hang out and to meet other international students rather than Japanese ones. Waseda offered many occasions to meet new people through the cafes and other events, so it was not difficult at all.
Q9．What surprised you the most when you came to Japan?
A woman I did not know offered to host me for the first days in Tokyo, since I only had a temporary accommodation. This was a unique chance for me to experience the life of a Japanese family and discuss differences about my culture and the Japanese one.
Q12. What are your plans and outlook for the future?
In less than one month I am going back to my hometown, in Italy to finally enjoy the summer and spend time with my family. Once I will go back to Germany it will be time to start my master thesis and keep working hard to achieve my goals.
