MY EXPERIENCE AS AN EXCHANGE STUDENT IN JAPAN

My name is Dorcas Amui, I had the incredible opportunity to be an exchange student from Ghana to Japan. I studied at Tokyo University of Foreign Studies(TUFS) from September 27th,2024 to February 5th,2025. My four-month stay for the first semester came with a lot of memorable experiences, marking a turning point in my life. From interacting with the people of Japan, to adapting to the unique teaching methods at TUFS.Every moment was enriching. Reflecting on these experiences, I deeply appreciate how much I benefited from them.

The People of Japan

Upon my arrival in Japan, the IAfP program, through their staff assigned two students to meet me at the airport and guide me all the way to the TUFS campus. I later learned that other exchange students had to struggled to find their way upon arrival, so this kind gesture made my transition much smoother. These two students became my first friends, and I quickly expanded my social circle.
The journey from the airport to TUFS was long, but every person I met along the way was kind and welcoming. Whether it was on the train or at the station, people made an effort to assist me, even if they had difficulty speaking English. One particularly warm welcome came from the students from African major, who ensured I had everything I needed. I will never forget Chihiro-sensei, who personally helped me transport my luggage to the international residence鈥攕he was truly kind and supportive.

Teaching Methods at TUFS

The teaching methods at TUFS were fascinating, as they differed significantly from what I was used to in my home university. The study of Japanese intellectual history, as well as other subjects, was rooted in research-based learning. Classroom discussions, structured coursework, weekly quizzes, and writing assignments required me to pay close attention and actively participate in class. Unlike passive learning methods, TUFS encouraged independent research and deep academic engagement. This approach not only helped me understand the topics better but also improved my academic writing skills. My experience at TUFS will undoubtedly have a lasting impact on my educational journey. Today, I am confident to say I can conduct any academia research from the experience I gained during my study at TUFS.

JASSO and Toyota Ghana

Over the years, strong collaborations between the University of Ghana and Toyota Ghana have made it possible for Ghanaian students to study in Japan. Toyota Ghana has taken full responsibility for providing students with their flight tickets to Japan and back home. This initiative has been life-changing for many, including myself. Additionally, I was fortunate to receive a JASSO scholarship, which provided a monthly stipend of 80,000 JPY. This financial support played a crucial role in making my stay at TUFS comfortable. Through the scholarship, I was able to cover my monthly rent, utility bills, and basic living expenses. I am incredibly grateful for the JASSO scholarship sponsors and the opportunities it provided.

Networking and Social Life

My time at TUFS introduced me to people from diverse backgrounds, creating opportunities for meaningful connections. Being a social person, I cherished these interactions, as they allowed me to form friendships that would have been impossible without this exchange experience. One of my favorite activities was attending mini-parties at restaurants every weekend, where we engaged in conversations and learned about different regions of Japan. TUFS also organized networking events, such as the聽monthly Wednesday lunch for African students, the University festival among others. These gatherings played a massive role in helping me build lasting connections, some of which will continue to influence my life even after my stay in Japan. My cooking hobby also played a crucial role in connecting with others. I would usually cook different meals and invite others to come and experience the process and taste of African cuisine. I was excited about sharing the African cuisine to the world.

Cultural Shocks

One of the biggest cultural shocks for me was the respectful and helpful nature of Japanese society. The level of appreciation for even the smallest gestures was remarkable. Everyone I met was always willing to assist, even when it came to minor things like giving directions. Another significant cultural shock was the exceptional cleanliness in Japan. From detailed instructions on how to separate and dispose of waste to the tidiness of public spaces, everything was meticulously maintained. It was rare to see litter, even on campus. Adjusting to this level of cleanliness was both interesting and inspiring for me. I can not over emphasize how amazed I was by the tourist sites in Japan. I visited lots of places including Mount Takao, Roppongi hills, the sky tree, marine tower in Yokohama among other places. These moments were the best for me.

Conclusion

My time in Japan was a life-changing experience filled with learning, cultural exchange, and personal growth. From the people I met to the teaching methods I encountered, every aspect of my stay at TUFS shaped me in ways I never expected. I am deeply grateful for the opportunity, and I will always cherish the memories I made during this incredible journey.

Verdiane from University of Yaounde and Dorcas from University of Ghana completed their exchange program. Verdiane arrived in April 2024 and stayed for 2 semesters. Dorcas arrived in Sept. 2024 and stayed for a semester. We are wishing for their bright future!!

We hope that our exchange will continue for a long time, expanding and deepening through their junior colleagues and friends.

Message from Takahito

Hello. I am Takahito Yamamoto, a third-year student majoring in African area studies, and I am studying in University of Ghana. I have been looking forward to my study abroad in Ghana since my first year, and it has finally begun. During my stay in Ghana, I belong to the College of Humanities and majoring in Sociology. I will also be conducting fieldwork in rural areas on the theme of the relationship between traditional order in rural areas and illegal gold mining, which is currently a serious problem. I am receiving great support from Lisa, who studied at TUFS as an exchange student until this summer, and her family. Without her cooperation, I would not have been able to start my life in Ghana smoothly, which is full of things I am not used to. I am keenly aware of the importance of TUFS鈥 exchange program with Africa. Finally, I would like to thank everyone at both universities who are working hard to implement the exchange program, the Gyomu Super Japan Dream Foundation for providing me with a scholarship, and all my friends who have enriched my life in Ghana.

Message from Ririka

Hello, my name is Ririka Waki, a third-year student majoring in African Area Studies.
I will be studying at the college of Humanities at the University of Ghana, located in Accra, the capital of Ghana, for about a year. I am mainly learning Sociology here. The classes are interesting in that the professors use the issues or examples in Ghana when we learn about the social institutions, the family, urbanization and so on. I feel my studies at university are closely related to daily life and relationships with the people in Ghana. At the same time, there are many chances to notice and think about some phenomenon, social structures or norms in Japan, which brings me another learning experience. In addition, when walking on the streets, there are many unexpected encounters. The people in the picture which showed in the previous page are the ones who we came across and got to know each other when I and Mr.Yamamoto walked together. On every Sunday, we go to the church where they go and after that we sometimes cook lunch together. In this way, it has been about one month since I came here, and I feel people鈥檚 warmth of being welcomed friendly and kindly by interacting people such as friends I have met at university, people at the market, and even those who I pass by on the street. I will not forget the fact that my stay in Ghana has been possible through the support of various people, and I am grateful for it. I am going to give it my all during this valuable time. Lastly, I appreciate the staff at IAfP, teachers and staff at both UG and TUFS, Gyomu Super Japan Dream Foundation for providing me with a scholarship, and to everyone supporting my studies in Ghana.

In the fall of 2024, IAfP welcomed four new students from Africa. They will start their program from 1st October.

They are Majaliwa and Irene from Protestant University of Rwanda (PUR), Gabriella and Dorcas from聽University of Ghana (UG).

Students from UG will stay at TUFS for one semester until February 2025. Students from PUR will stay at TUFS for two semesters until July 2025.

Please check the聽鈥淎ccepting鈥 page聽for their self introduction.

锛淧hoto: At Farewell Open Lunch锛濣/p>

Mburukaga and Grace from PIASS, Toose, Rita, Mupelwa and Peggy from University of Zambia, Lisa from University of Ghana completed their exchange program. Mburukaga, Grace, Toose, Rita and Lisa arrived in September 2023 and stayed for 2 semesters. Mupelwa and Peggy arrived in April 2024 and stayed for a semester. We are wishing for their bright future!!

We hope that our exchange will continue for a long time, expanding and deepening through their junior colleagues and friends.

Report on my stay in Japan ISEP

Boakye-Tetteh Rosemond is my name. I studied and stayed at Tokyo University of Foreign Studies [TUFS], Japan as an exchange student under ISEP- [International Student Exchange Program] during Fall semester from 23rd September 2023 to February 28th, 2024. From the University of Ghana [Legon, Accra].
My experience as a foreign exchange student in Japan was an enriching journey that expanded my horizons, challenged my perspectives, and fostered deep connections with a vibrant culture. Over the course of my studies and stay, I had the privilege of immersing myself in the Japanese way of life, navigating through its bustling cities, embracing its traditions, and forming lasting friendships.
This report aims to provide an in-depth analysis of my experiences living in Japan, with a focus on memorable events, personal growth, and problems encountered. Additionally, it highlights my academic pursuits during my time as a foreign exchange student at Tokyo University of Foreign Studies [TUFS].

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Two days after my arrival in Japan, I took this photo. You鈥檒l be astounded at the backstory of this image. I made the decision to go shopping and explore Tokyo as soon as I arrived. A woman I encountered in Fuchu -Miyachi begged me to let her outfit me in a traditional Japanese kimono so she could take pictures of me for her shop鈥檚 advertisement as there isn鈥檛 an African person wearing a kimono there. I was little apprehensive at first because I was surprised by this. I then said, 鈥淟et鈥檚 do it.鈥 My heart melted at the woman鈥檚 joy and happiness that my consent offered her.

My life in Japan may be divided into two parts. For the major part as a student, my time in Japan provided me with invaluable opportunities for academic growth and cross-cultural exchange. As part of my program some of the courses included Japanese language, International Protection of Refugees [IPR], Aging and Public Policies in Contemporary Japan Society, Japanese Intellectual History among Middle Eastern Culture, American Racism through literature. During the weekends and on vacations, I engaged in a range of activities. Here is a photo of me doing a presentation on the popular traditional meal fufu from Ghana during a Japanese language class.

Gaining proficiency in Japanese as a foreign language allowed me to get access to an unparalleled cultural universe and facilitated my learning of other East Asian languages, including the fundamentals of Chinese and Vietnamese. Because of its quirks, the Japanese language is full of harmony, vigor, and respect and is also very easy to grasp.
Since I found learning the language to be a little difficult during my time there, learning Japanese required additional study and effort. Hopefully, I will visit Japan specifically to study the language.

I took this photo in my aging and public policies in modern Japanese culture lecture after a presentation on dementia. I appreciated Dr. Yan Zi鈥檚 lectures. She was good at coordinating with us students and provided us all the chance to participate to the policies our country has for the elderly. She also encouraged government and private donations to address the aging population. Her warm demeanor made me want to attend her classes every time. I happened to be the first student from Africa, she has taught. I鈥檒l always be reminded of these.

My desire to work with the UNHCR was sparked by my lectures on the international protection of refugees, as I had previously had limited understanding and unfavorable prejudices about them. I completed a research assignment on the education of refugee children, using South Sudan as my case study, as required by the course. My interest in South Sudan has increased as a result of studying International Protection of Refugees. I had no idea how asylum seekers are decided in Japan and other countries, or even what constitutes a refugee under the 1951 Geneva Convention. My perspective has been expanded and my curiosity piqued by this course, and I am eager to pursue internships with refugee organizations in the future.
On the cultural side of my studies, I wrote a research work on the role of the thinkers of Bakumatsu in Japan鈥檚 modernization during the intellectual period history 1853-1868. I came across numerous powerful Socrates, Platos, and Aristotle鈥檚 from Japan. Given that these intellectuals are responsible for Japan鈥檚 advancements and enduring cultural legacy. Japanese culture is unique.

Academic Experience

Attending classes alongside Japanese students and other international students not only enhanced my language skills but also broadened my understanding of different educational systems and teaching methodologies. Collaborative projects and discussions allowed me to gain fresh perspectives on global issues and develop lifelong friendships with classmates from diverse backgrounds.
Let鈥檚 talk some fun memories. I used to be the indoor type until I got to Tokyo. From the moment I set foot in Japan, I was captivated by the richness of its culture. Whether it was participating in traditional tea ceremonies, which was somewhat regular gathering for my dormitory that is international residence dorm one, exploring historic temples and shrines, where I journeyed Kamakura Temple, the cultural history of the temple or indulging in the culinary delights of sushi and ramen, every experience was a window into the heart of Japan. I was particularly struck by the meticulous attention to detail evident in every aspect of daily life, from the graceful movements of a kimono-clad geisha to the intricately manicured gardens of Kyoto.
I went to Vietnam for winter vacation and was greeted with a whole new and diverse culture, cuisine, and atmosphere. I also attended an English camp in Iwai and had a great time; I wish I could post pictures here, but I鈥檓 not allowed to.
Below are few pictures I can share.

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We made the decision to travel to Odaiba, home of a replica of the US statue of Liberty is located, in honor of a friend鈥檚 birthday. It鈥檚 a pleasant location to go.

This picture was taken at Vinh Yen- Khai Quang, a historic site.

This was a visit to Kamakura temple. The rich history of the great Budda. I love Japanese culture.

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A friend like no other.

Challenges and Adaptation

While my experience in Japan was overwhelmingly positive, it was not without its challenges. Adapting to a new language, customs, and social norms required patience and perseverance. At times, I felt overwhelmed by the cultural differences and the pressure to assimilate. However, with the support from Student Exchange Division, lecturers, and fellow exchange students, I gradually found my footing and embraced the journey of self-discover.

Personal Growth

Living abroad as a foreign exchange student pushed me out of my comfort zone and encouraged me to embrace uncertainty. Through moments of cultural exchange, language barriers, and exploration, I gained a deeper appreciation for diversity and the interconnectedness of our world.
I emerged from my time in Japan with a newfound sense of resilience, empathy, and open-mindedness that continues to shape my perspective on life.

Conclusion

My experience as a foreign exchange student in Japan was a transformative chapter in my life, filled with unforgettable memories, meaningful connections, and invaluable lessons. Immersed in the beauty of Japan鈥檚 culture and the warmth of its people, I grew not only as a student but as a global citizen. As I bid farewell to Japan, I carry with me a profound gratitude for the experiences that have shaped me and a deep longing to return to the Land of the Rising Sun someday. Arigatou gozaimasu, Japan, for welcoming me with open arms and leaving an indelible mark on my heart. A big thank you to my Dr. Kwame Adum-Kyeremeh, Head of History Department [University of Ghana], Madam Rosemary Tagoe Coordinator Study Abroad Office;[University of Ghana], Dr.Chihiro and MsYuko from IAfP, Student Exchange Division a big thank you all for your assistance, Toyota Ghana for their sponsorship, JASSO and the administration lastly to all my friends, I am forever indebted.

Rosemond from University of Ghana, Vrishthi from University of Pretoria and Julia from Stellenbosch University completed their exchange program and returned to their home. They arrived in September 2023 and completed their half year ISEP-TUFS program.
We hope that our exchange will continue for a long time, expanding and deepening through their junior colleagues. We are wishing for their bright future.

In the fall of 2023, IAfP welcomed five new students from Africa. They have started their progrom from 28th September.

They are Mburukaga and Grace from Protestant Institute of Arts and Social Sciences (PIASS), Toose and Lita from 聽University of Zambia (UNZA), Lisa and Rosemond from University of Ghana (UG), Vrishthi from 聽University of Pretoria(UP, South Africa), Julia from Stellenbosch University (SU, South Africa).

This is the first time TUFS has been able to accept exchange students from the Stellenbosch University. Welcome Julia!!

Students from UG, UP and SU will stay at TUFS for one semester until Frbruary 2024. Students from PIASS and UNZA will stay at TUFS for two semesters until July 2024.

Please check the “Accepting” page for their self introduction.

Message from Toko

Hello, I鈥檓 Toko Kuga from Tokyo University of Foreign Studies, African course 4th grade.
I study in University of Ghana for one semester from October to December, then I鈥檓 planning to go to other African countries.
In University of Ghana, I鈥檓 in college of humanities and taking classes about tourism and heritage (archaeology) and about religion in Ghana. Also I belonged to Dance club when I was 3rd grade so I鈥檓 curious about African dance and taking 鈥淎frican Dance Performance鈥 class.
University of Ghana is very huge academically and physically. Especially, international students can take classes from various departments so I鈥檓 taking classes according to my interests and the purpose to understand Ghana deeply.
The period is short, but I try to see and know Ghana, Ghanaian people and their lives.

University of Ghana銆€[Ghana]
Toko 2023.10.5~2023.12.21
Rina 2023.10.5~2024.8.18