My name is Rita Tembo and I鈥檓 from Zambia. I am currently a student at the University of Zambia studying Economics. I came to Japan on an exchange program for ten months at Tokyo University of Foreign Studies (TUFS) from September 28, 2023, to July 29, 2024. I was under the International Student Exchange Program (ISEP) and I was a recipient of the JASSO Scholarship.

It is no secret that Japan is one of the best countries to visit in the world and I got a chance to stay for close to a year on an exchange program at TUFS.聽 In this report I will talk about a few culture shocks I experienced living in Japan, the classes I took, some extracurricular activities and lastly my recreational activities.

CULTURE SHCOKS

While being in Japan came with so many amazing experiences, it did not come without its difficulties. Exposing myself to something new has always been a challenge, let alone a new country that comes with its own culture, language, education system and so on and so forth.

1. Transport System

Coming from Zambia, where our main mode of transport is by roads, it was quite an adjustment to get used to using trains. The intricate railway system that Japan possesses is truly one of a kind. I remember the first weeks I was there, I couldn鈥檛 take a fifteen-minute train ride from the University to a nearby station called Musashisakai for fear of getting lost. It wasn鈥檛 until months later, with time and practice, that I gained confidence in moving around Tokyo with the help of google maps.

2. The garbage system

Japan has a very well-organized garbage system and when you鈥檝e lived your whole life throwing all kinds of trash into one trash can, it can be quite stressful to sort out your trash. The first time I went to throw away my trash in Japan, I stood for five minutes straight staring at four different trash cans trying to decide which dirt belonged to which bin. It took me an embarrassing amount of time to figure out where plastic goes, where paper goes and especially where Styrofoam goes. Eventually, I learned which belongs to recyclables, which belongs to burnable, and which belongs to non-burnable.

3. Weather

Experiencing Japan weather was one of the most interesting parts of living there. In Zambia, there are three distinct seasons and just like Japan, each bleeds seamlessly into the next. Living in Zambia, I had the notion that Africa鈥檚 dry and hot climate makes it one of the hottest places in the world. How wrong I was to assume that before coming to Japan. Summer in Japan is heat unlike anything I鈥檝e ever experienced. Combined with the high humidity, there鈥檚 almost no difference between you being in an onsen and you being outside. Luckily, Japan is a very technologically advanced country, so things like portable fans and cooling vests helped me get through the summer. Another aspect of the weather is the winter. Despite being so cold I could barely feel my toes some days, I was so excited to experience snow for the first time. Touching it with bare hands may have been an oversight on my part (I was convinced I had hypothermia because of how painfully cold my fingers got) but it still didn鈥檛 take away from the experience.

CLASSES

The second thing I would like to elaborate on are the classes I took at TUFS. My major at my home university, University of Zambia, is Economics and unfortunately, the only economics classes at TUFS were in Japanese so I could not take them. However, for the first time in my academic life, I had the opportunity to take classes I had always wanted to take but never got the chance to. Specifically, literature classes which allowed me to learn more about Japanese history and society. I learned about the Hiroshima and Nagasaki bombings and how it affected people鈥檚 mental health. I got to learn about slavery and racism in America by reading Mark Twain鈥檚聽Pudd鈥檔head Wilson聽in an American literature class.聽 Film making class allowed me to learn about modern Japan society and had the bonus of working with others to create a film of our own. Watching movies made by Japanese creators every week taught me more about Japanese society than I would have guessed. One of the things I learned in this class was the reality of homelessness in Japan and the challenges minority immigrants face in trying to incorporate themselves in Japanese society. A few other more practical classes I took are business classes, peace and conflict studies, international cooperation and of course, Japanese language.

EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES

Staying in Japan, I had the opportunity to work part time for a multicultural organization known as Global Leaders Japan (Lbe Japan). As an international student with basic level in Japanese, working for Lbe was one of the best part time jobs I could get. Being a Global Leader meant me interacting with high school students in English and sharing my culture with them. This could be indoors with PowerPoint presentations or an outdoor tour around Tokyo, conversing as we explore. I loved working with the kids and being part of their journey in learning English. Watching them overcome their struggles or discomfort in practicing a foreign language really motivated me to continue to work on my Japanese.

I also got to take part in the famous and beautiful Sakura festival on March 1^st. I had the opportunity to wear traditional Japanese clothes known as a Yukata and dance a traditional Japanese dance as we walked down the streets of Fuchu city. A big thank you to ISSA for organizing the event and providing people to teach us the dances and practice with us in preparation for the festival.

I had the opportunity to discover a community of African people on a mission to share the African culture with as many people as possible. I attended a cultural exchange party where African fabrics and dances were showcased.

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RECREATION

Japan has plenty of places to visit, plenty of places to explore and plenty of places to try new things and I definitely took advantage of that fact as I toured and explored as many places in the country as I could manage. Some highlights I won鈥檛 ever forget;

1. Sunset at the Beach

Coming from a landlocked country, I had never been to the beach before and seen an ocean until I visited one in Numazu. Needless to say, the scenic view of the sunset against the waves was one of the most beautiful things I have ever seen. To use the words of a famous quote, 鈥淚 have never met a sunset I didn鈥檛 like.鈥滭/p>

2. Amusement parks

Visiting amusement parks was one of the things I wanted to do before coming to Japan. As a little girl I would watch people in movies go to amusement parks and imagine a day when I would one day ride a rollercoaster. I finally got the chance to do so and while the experience was beyond terrifying, the exhilaration I felt took me back for more.

Being in Japan, I took the opportunity to go to the best amusements parks in the world. I went to Tokyo Disney Sea and Universal Studios Japan and had the best time.

3. Fushimi Inari Taisha Sembon Torii

Another memory I won鈥檛 forget soon is hiking up the famous Thousand Torii Gates in Kyoto. The journey to the top was long and strenuous but the hike up was fun enough that I didn鈥檛 give up.

There are so many memories I created in a year while staying in Japan that I can鈥檛 pick just one as my favourite. Getting to meet new and amazing people from all over the world added to the experience. I鈥檓 grateful for the opportunity granted to me that allowed me to live one of the best years of my life. A big thank you to ISSA for the activities they organized, JASSO for the aid given, and finally the聽 IAfp and ISEP offices and of course the University of Zambia International Relations Link Office for all your hard work in organizing the student exchange program. I hope many more students get to have the same life changing opportunity.

Report on My 10-Month Student Exchange Program at Tokyo University of Foreign Studies

Introduction

My 10-month student exchange program at Tokyo University of Foreign Studies (TUFS) was a transformative experience that broadened my academic knowledge, deepened my cultural understanding, and fostered personal growth. I got an opportunity to meet new friends and learn various aspects about life in Japan. As a student with a keen interest in Japanese culture, the opportunity to live and study in Japan was a dream come true. This report provides an overview of my experiences, challenges, and reflections during my time at TUFS.

Academic Experience

Studying at TUFS was academically enriching and intellectually stimulating. The courses I studied aligned perfectly with my academic interests. I was enrolled in a variety of courses, most of them related to research as I did the program during my research stage of my masters program at my home university.

During my studies, in the fall semester, I had attended many graduate courses which helped me improve on my research and thesis writing as I was in the second stage of my studies in my home country, working on my dissertation. Among the courses I learnt, some of my favourite ones where the English for academic purposes courses. One of them was taught my professor Cherry Yap. In her course, I learnt about research. During the course, she taught about various research approaches and how to communicate academically. I learnt a lot about how to write academic articles and how to communicate academic findings. We had many in-class presentations of our research as masters students and she gave positive feedback. This helped me so much to improve on my research which I was working on from my home university. The many presentations prepared me for my defense. Another interesting course I attended was the international organizations course by professor Obi Nakao. In this course, I learnt about international protection of refugees and about humanitarian organizations and what they do to protect refugees. This course enriched my knowledge and substantiated my interests to work for an international humanitarian organization someday. In addition to all my other courses, I took the Japanese oral language course by Lee Kyutae. This helped me improve my communication in the Japanese language. It was nice to learn a new language, and I learnt interesting and important phrases that I need to go by in my day to day life in Japan. In the spring Semester, my favorite courses were on gender studies, global Agri-food systems, sustainable development and climate change.

The Japanese language classes were challenging but rewarding. The classes were conducted entirely in Japanese, which was initially challenging but greatly improved my proficiency. The instructors were highly skilled, employing a variety of teaching methods such as group discussions, presentations, and oral interviews. Over the months, my speaking, listening, and writing skills improved, enabling me to communicate more effectively and eased my interactions in daily life.

Cultural Immersion

Living in Japan provided countless opportunities for cultural immersion. From everyday interactions to participating in traditional festivals, I was constantly surrounded by the rich and vibrant culture of Japan.

TUFS has a vibrant campus life, with numerous clubs and organizations catering to a wide range of interests. I participated in the sakura festival, where I learned the intricate art of the traditional Japanese dance ceremony. This experience taught me about the importance of respect, and the beauty of simplicity, which are central to Japanese culture. I also participated in the international student exchange activities to interact with high school students, allowing me to interact with both Japanese students and other international students.

During weekends and holidays, I took the opportunity to travel and explore different parts of Japan. From the bustling streets of Tokyo to the serene temples, the beauty of the parks, and some historical sites. Each place had its own unique fascination. These travels allowed me to witness the diversity within Japan, from its modern urban centres to its traditional rural landscapes. Visiting these places deepened my understanding of Japan鈥檚 history, culture, and regional differences. Travelling on the busy trains was always interesting, and the efficiency of the public transportation system is amazing.

I had an opportunity to try out some traditional Japanese food, some of which include sushi, sashimi, and ramen. I drunk and enjoyed various traditional Japanese teas and my favourite was the green tea and the Jasmin tea.

Personal Growth and Challenges

Living in a foreign country for an extended period was both exciting and challenging. I encountered several challenges, particularly during the initial months, but these experiences contributed significantly to my personal growth.

Language Barrier: Despite having studied Japanese language at the university of Zambia (UNZA) before going to Japan, the language barrier was one of the first challenges I faced. Simple tasks like grocery shopping, reading ingredients on food or asking for directions were initially overwhelming. However, with time and practice, my confidence grew. I made a conscious effort to speak Japanese as much as possible, even in situations where I could have resorted to English. This not only improved my language skills but also helped me integrate more seamlessly into the local community.

Cultural Differences: Adjusting to cultural differences was another challenge. Japan鈥檚 social norms, such as the emphasis on group harmony, indirect communication, and the hierarchical nature of society, were different from what I was used to. There were moments of cultural misunderstanding, but each of these situations provided learning opportunities. By observing and asking questions, I gradually adapted to these cultural nuances and gained a deeper appreciation for Japanese social etiquette.

Homesickness and Independence: Being away from home for an extended period was challenging, especially during holidays and special occasions. However, this experience taught me independence and resilience. I learned to manage my time, finances, and responsibilities effectively. The support from my friends, and university staff (IAFP office) also played a crucial role in helping me overcome these challenges. The friendships I formed with both Japanese and international students became a source of comfort and support, making my stay in Japan more enjoyable.

Conclusion

Looking back on my 10 months at Tokyo University of Foreign Studies, I am filled with gratitude for the experiences, knowledge, and relationships I gained. The program not only enhanced my academic skills but also allowed me to grow personally and culturally. I returned home with a deeper understanding of Japan, a higher level of Japanese language proficiency, and a broader perspective on global issues.

I am more confident in navigating cross-cultural environments and look forward to applying the skills and insights I gained in my future endeavours. The time I spent in Japan was undoubtedly one of the most rewarding experiences of my life, and I am grateful Tokyo University of Foreign Studies and IAFP for providing me with this incredible opportunity.

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My name is Peggy Chamucisa. I am 22 years old and I am from Zambia. I studied and stayed in Japan from April 4th, 2024 to July 29th 2024, I was at Tokyo University of Foreign Studies as an exchange student.

I was invited by IAfP for my airplane tickets. In addition, I was a recipient of JASSO scholarship for my living expenses. My life in Japan is divided into two parts. Mostly I spent my time studying, I was taking courses of Development studies and International relations. During weekends, holidays and free time, I did different things related to social life. Below are some of the things that described how my life in Japan was.

I came to Japan in April and was very lucky to witness the cherry blossoms which only lasted for two weeks, but it was beautiful and I enjoyed it very much. I learned Japanese which is very different from my mother tongue in term of the structure of the sentences and letters. But the most important thing is that I liked the Japanese language and wanted to learn more about it and the people of Japan. The time I spent studying Japanese was a good time for me to learn more about Japanese culture, especially the norms and values of Japanese society. Even though studying Japanese was quite difficult, and it required to spend extra time studying it privately, I still liked studying Japanese and it helped me to get a lot of new vocabularies within a short period of the time, this helped me to get along with other students from different countries and cultures especially the Japanese students.

I was also lucky to be invited to a lecture by Chihiro Sensei, I was invited to talk about my country Zambia to the Japanese students, it was a very interesting and exciting experience I enjoyed talking to the Japanese students about my country and how beautiful and wonderful it is and the students where very interactive and asked interesting questions. I also enjoyed learning other courses like climate change and Development with Dr Glorious. This was one of my favorite courses and I never missed any of her classes because it was always interactive and interesting, I got to learn a lot about other countries and their living conditions in regard to the climate crisis the world is facing. It was interesting to know the different problems each country was facing and what policies they put in place to resolve it, I got a lot of ideas that I might use for my country鈥檚 climate crisis.

Apart from studying, I also visited different places in Japan, places like temples around Japan, parks and also historical museums. On weekends I mostly visited the park, luckily there so many parks located near the school so I mostly took a walk with a friend to the park. And there we would have picnics and sometimes little discussions with my Japanese friends, I always looked forward to weekends. I had a good time to learn more about Japan and its culture. As a country Zambia is a Christian nation so it was a really good experience to learn more about the Japanese religion by visiting different temples, I lent more about buddhism and also other religions like Shinto, it was exiting to know that these religions have existed for more than two centuries in Japan. I also got to see different festivals including children鈥檚 day that is held in May to celebrate the health and wellbeing of children.

I also took part in different activities like volunteering to participate in an English teaching camp for children, going to gatherings of different races and interacting with different people and teaching them and also learning from them about their culture and country. During my time in Japan I lent the true value of keeping time. Unlike other nationalities Japanese people value time and I got to know why during a cultural exchange part that was hosted by JICA, on my way to the party鈥檚 location I delayed to reach the train station and the train left me but luckily another train arrived shortly and I was able to reach the party on time, this was a good experience for me because I realized that even a second in life is of importance and once an opportunity passes you, it might never come again.

In addition to all the above is that I enjoyed the flower festivals that were held from when I arrived and also the cultural exchange with Japanese students as well as international students and having friends from different countries. This was very good for me because there are stereotypes that I had before meeting new people from other countries that changed through interacting with different people from different places. I realized how good diversity is because I got the new insight into different things from different places of the world from people whom I was interacting with, this helped me to open my mind and see how we are interconnected despite the different backgrounds and nationalities.

Despite all the small challenges that I faced during my stay in Japan, challenges like language barriers, at first it was really difficult to communicate with the locals in Japan but thanks to the Japanese language course I could at least speak basic Japanese and it helped me connect with the local people. Another challenge was that it was very hot and humid, but as time passed I got used to the extreme weather. Apart from these two challenges, my stay in japan was amazing, full of interesting experiences and I have benefited a lot from it not just in my academic life but also in my social life and it has changed my perspective of the world. I want to address my sincere appreciations to the African Studies Center, to JASSO scholarship administration, All the people that helped me to go to japan and to all my friends in Japan.

My name is Mupelwa Namfukwe. And I am 22 years old, and I come from Zambia. Early this year in the month of April I had the privilege to study in japan at Tokyo University of Foreign Studies as an Exchange Student from my home University, the University of Zambia in the Spring Semester. I stayed in japan from April 3^rd聽to July 29^th聽2024 and I came as an exchange under the International Student Exchange Program (ISEP). Through the African Studies Center, IAfP and JASSO Scholarship my air ticket and living expenses were covered. Therefore, this report on my stay will be in two folds my academic life and my social life.

Upon arrival, I was amazed at how clean and beautiful japan is, I arrived in the week when the Sakura were blossoming, being a lover of nature and flowers so I instantly fell in love with the place and I was egger to visit, explore and take lots of photos. As if that was not enough, I found the people extremely nice and welcome. The African studies Center and IAfP hosted a welcoming party for the other exchange students and I, there I met a wonderful person called Miho, she was so welcoming and she made me feel at home. We later exchanged contacts and continued to keep in touch ever since, we shared and exchanged our cultures through stories and showing each other photos of what happens in our countries, the differences and the similarities she further introduced me Japanese food but the one that I liked the most was the famous Takoyaki .

聽聽

I had never visited any other city apart from Fuchu and Kichijogi until Miho decided to take me to Harajuku. It is a very beautiful city with so many tall buildings, we roamed around and she took me to Harajuku street, I was so amazed at how crowed it was, apparently the street is famous because Justin Bieber was there once and aside from that the street had tasty food. She also took me to Shibuya, where we took photos of the Shibuya crossing and took pictures on a statue that is just near the crossing and lastly we went to Shinjuku were we had lunch at the government office and went to the 45^th聽floor just to see the beautiful view of the city. Another very interesting visit was Akihabara the city of gadgets this city throw me off for a bit, as I experienced a cultural shock just by how some ladies would stand in the side of the road and give out flyers while dressed as maids.

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I also got the privilege to attend an African-Japan cultural party at the JICA office where I met and connected with other Africans from my country and countries such as Angola, Uganda, Rwanda, and Congo. I also got to connect with some Japanese where we played awesome and fun games.

Aside from that, my Zambian friends and I decided to visit Disney sea, it was a very awesome and emotional experience for me in that I was taken back to my child hood, the time I used to watch Disney princesses on Television and hoping one day I would meet them in real life .I had never been on a roller-coaster so getting on one was the most frightening, thrilling and exciting feeling I loved it !

My other aim was to get settled and familiarize myself with the learning system. I am development studies major at my home university, so I was really interested in taking classes that encompassed around this topic and I was beyond amazed at how many classes there was. My most favorite thing about the courses I was taking was that they encouraged me to critically think and not just relaying on what the books say or what the professor said. Despite this being new to me, it posed as a challenge and a push to work extra hard as a change maker I ascribe to be through the presentations and the discussions we held in class.

During my stay there, I as well faced some challenges as everything is different from my home country especially when it came to the language. I was not very familiar with the Japanese language so understanding and communicating with people especially in the convenient store and also during the Japanese class was a challenge especially if I didn鈥檛 have my phone for google translate hence making a lot of friends was very difficult or having to communicate with people was difficult. Another challenge I faced was the food, I am allergic to pork so I found that most of the Japanese food was somehow mixed with pork. That limited me to having Japanese finest foods, and not only that, the cooking methods were very different in that everything in Zambia is cooked but I was shocked to find out that some of the foods especially fish was ate raw or just glazed and lastly the weather pattern. It was not something I was used too hence the beginning spring for me was cold until it became hot.

The heat was new for me for the fact that it would get hot and humid when in my country it just gets hot and since we have a lot of tress outside it is to go outside and get some fresh air. So I would find myself sweating a lot. But my friend Miho advised me to buy a fun and ensure my AC is on and also drink enough water to rehydrate.

All in all, me visiting and staying in Japan was the highlight of my year, as I got to experience a different culture, a different type of language and a different type of people therefore I can say I had a great time with making long lasting friendships and connections despite all the challenges. And if given more time I would have definitely become used to everything. I am truly grateful for the opportunity and I鈥檓 looking forward to coming back. Sayonara!

聽Zambia

This is a picture of my visit to Victoria Falls, the most famous tourist attraction in Zambia. It took about 8 hours from Lusaka to Livingstone by car. It was a wonderful experience to feel the magnificent nature. Since it was the dry season and the amount of water was low, I would like to visit during the rainy season as well.

This is a picture taken when I played with children in a village in Zambia. We played soccer together and played with a seesaw made of tree branches. They were so innocent and friendly to me and called me 鈥渇amily鈥? I was happy when they called me 鈥淭akuwa鈥 because I thought they remembered my name. However, I later learned that it means 鈥渃ome here鈥 in Lozi, the local language in Zambia. This experience made me feel embarrassed, but it is a happy memory for me.

This is a picture taken with students from the University of Zambia. They were all very kind, and we quickly became friends. After this, we went to the field and played soccer.

Message from Takuya

Hello! My name is Takuya Fukuda, and I am a third-year student in the School of International and Area Studies at Tokyo University of Foreign Studies. Currently, I am studying sociology at the School of Humanities and Social Sciences at the University of Zambia in Lusaka, the capital city. My study abroad period is one semester, approximately five months.
I chose Zambia as my study-abroad destination for several reasons. It is a relatively safe country in Africa, English is widely spoken, and soccer is very popular here. This is my first time living abroad, so I am doing my best to adjust to daily life. I am eager to learn about the culture and traditions of Zambia while gaining a wealth of new experiences by interacting with the local people. Having played soccer since childhood, I am particularly looking forward to engaging with Zambians through playing soccer.
I am determined to make the most of this study abroad experience, ensuring it becomes a significant and enriching chapter in my life. Finally, I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to everyone who has supported me in making this journey possible. Thank you very much. I am excited to enjoy my time in Zambia!

Message from Kozue

Hi, my name is Kozue Makiyama. I am a 4th-year student majoring in East Asian Studies and Chinese at the School of International and Area Studies.
I will be studying Political Science at the School of Humanities and Social Sciences at the University of Zambia for one semester, from mid-July to the end of November 2024. Although the courses and timetable might change since classes just started this week, I plan to take courses such as Politics of Africa, War Economics and Peacebuilding, and Ethnicity and Race in World Politics.
It has been three weeks since I arrived in Zambia, and so far I haven鈥檛 had any health problems. I鈥檓 making good use of items left by previous exchange students, such as Japanese condiments, dishes, and electric appliances. I鈥檝e also had the chance to meet Japanese people working here as JOCVs (Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteers), dispatch workers for overseas diplomatic missions, and NPO staff, so I am enjoying my time here every day.
Because they got only about one-fifth of the usual rainfall last rainy season in Zambia, and with the country relying heavily on hydropower, the electricity supply of this country has been really unstable. What used to be a 1-2 hour power outage now often lasts 12-14 hours. It鈥檚 been pretty tough, but I鈥檝e managed by using emergency lights and aromatherapy candles at night and spending time on the university campus, which still has power. Finally, I want to say a big thank you to everyone who鈥檚 supported my study abroad experience, including IAfP and the Study Abroad Support Center, as well as everyone else who鈥檚 been involved. I really appreciate all your help and look forward to your continued support.

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.

Themba MAPULANGA
My Exchange Experience at Tokyo University of Foreign Studies.

As a student hailing from the University of Zambia, embarking on an exchange program at Tokyo University of Foreign Studies (TUFS) was a significant milestone in my academic journey. Japan鈥檚 vibrant culture and prestigious academic environment beckoned me, promising a transformative experience. In this report, I鈥檒l share the highlights of my 10 months stay.

Annet and I posing in front of the TUFS monument on our first day at TUFS (2022).

Stepping foot onto the vibrant campus of TUFS marked the beginning of a transformative journey. Over the course of 10 months, I had the privilege of forging friendships with individuals from diverse nationalities, fostering cross-cultural friendships and enhancing my understanding of global cultures. Through these interactions, I gained valuable insights into different cultural practices and traditions, enriching my intercultural competence.
Settling down at TUFS wasn鈥檛 challenging as I had many people to help with ensuring that I had settled in smoothly. Dr.Chihiro and Yuko San from the IAfP office were ever helpful as they helped us with various processes regarding our stay. My study buddy from the university鈥檚 buddy program also helped ensure that I settled in well at TUFS. The other African exchange students (Jato, Paul and Kajad) who had already spent a semester at TUFS also helped us settle in by showing us around. Yazaki Cooperation also assisted us by sponsoring us with some funds that helped us in our early months at The University.

Posing with my bicycle which was given to me by the IAfP office for use during my time at TUFS (2022).

One of the defining highlights of my exchange experience was delving into the essence of Japanese tradition through the art of Kendo. Joining the school鈥檚 Kendo team was more than just a physical pursuit; it was a journey of self-discipline, honor, and respect. My club mates and The Sensei at the dojo were very welcoming and they ensured that I settled in very well with the team and didn鈥檛 feel out of place.

Me in my Kendo attire at the TUFS Martial Arts Dojo (2023)

One of the most interesting experiences was attending the Kurayami Festival. This event celebrated Japanese traditions and folklore with music, dance, and beautiful street lights and decorations. I got to experience the vibrant atmosphere and learn more about Japanese culture. Meeting other locals helped me understand the importance of community and spirituality in Japan. The festival left a lasting impression on me, making me appreciate different cultures and the connections we can make through shared experiences.

Posing with other exchange students at the Kurayami Festival (2023)

Academically, my experience at TUFS was equally fulfilling. I had the privilege of attending engaging classes and lectures, where I gained profound insights into various disciplines. It was quite interesting to operate in an academic environment that has different systems from my home university. This also provided me with practical lessons with regards certain things that can also be replicated in the systems at my home university. Additionally, I spent my time outside class learning about the various administrative and public systems in Japan. As a Development Studies major, I had a plan to utilize my time in Japan learning about Japan鈥檚 development path and various administrative and public service systems in Japan. Learning how the Japanese public transport systems work for example provided me with valuable information on some of the lessons my home country can pick up.
Furthermore, my involvement in the intercultural learning class, led by Fukushima University was a significant highlight in my academic experience. To sum up my intercultural learning class at Fukushima University, I visited Fukushima for the 10th Anniversary of the Sakura Project. My friends and I participated in the project by making PR videos promoting the project. One of my favorite moments during this trip was receiving the Chief Award from the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism which was presented to us by the Director of the Tohoku Regional Development Bureau as recognition for our participation in the project. Receiving this award underscored the importance of fostering international collaborations and promoting cultural understanding.

Receiving the Chief Award at the 10th Anniversary of The Fukushima Sakura Project (2023)

Planting Sakura trees along the highway as part of the Sakura Project (2023).

My exploration of Japan extended beyond the confines of the university, as I ventured into the vibrant streets of Tokyo and neighboring prefectures. From the bustling streets of Shibuya to the serene landscapes of Kamakura, every corner revealed a new facet of Japanese culture waiting to be discovered. The warmth and hospitality of the Japanese people left an indelible mark on my heart, reaffirming their reputation for kindness and welcoming spirit.
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Me at Tokyo Tower (Left) (2022) and at The Summit of Mt. Takao (Right) (2023).

One of the most memorable aspects of my stay was indulging in the exquisite flavors of Japanese food, with ramen emerging as a personal favorite. During my stay, I tried different Japanese foods which served as a gateway to understanding the rich culinary heritage of Japan.

My favorite bowl of Shoyu Pork Ramen

My second favorite meal 鈥淥toko Meshi Don鈥 at Sanchanchi

My exchange experience at TUFS was nothing short of transformative. From cultural immersion and language learning to academic pursuits and culinary delights, every facet of my stay contributed to a profound personal and academic growth. I am deeply grateful to everyone who supported me throughout my journey as an exchange student, including my friends, professors, the IAfP Staff, the ASC staff, Yazaki Corporation, JASSO, and my home university. As I reflect on my time at TUFS, I am filled with gratitude and optimism for the continued partnership between Tokyo University of Foreign Studies and African Universities, with the hope that many more students will have the opportunity to embark on similar transformative experiences. Looking ahead, I eagerly anticipate the possibility of returning to Japan for my postgraduate studies, further deepening my connection with this remarkable country.

Dr. Chihiro seeing us off on our last day at TUFS (2023).

REPORT ON MY STUDY IN JAPAN AT TOKYO UNIVERSITY OF FOREIGN STUDIES.

Annet BANDA
THE UNIVERSITY OF ZAMBIA
STAY PERIOD AT TUFS: OCTOBER 2022 to JULY 2023

My name is Annet Banda, a Zambian studying at the University of Zambia. I am pursuing a Bachelor of Arts degree in Development studies with Sociology. From October 2022 to July 2023, I stayed in Japan and was an exchange student for that period. My experience living in Japan was amazing and I would like to share my experience here.
First of all, after arriving in Japan, I was slightly scared of how I would fit in due to reasons such as language barrier mainly but my experience turned out different. I found very accommodating people that helped me settle in upon my arrival and then I proceeded to begin my registration process with a lot of help from the Student Exchange Division office at TUFS as well as a lot of help from Dr.Chihiro and Ms.Yuko from IAfP Office. They helped me in settling for the right courses and part of my highlight during registration is that I took the Japanese language class. This was a very huge step for me and I was very excited to begin learning Japanese formally for the first time in my life.

(Fig. 1) On my second day in Japan with Themba and Dr. Chihiro who helped us open bank accounts and to do other paper work.

(Fig.2) Me on the left side with a white coat with my Japanese language classmates.

My experience generally with classes was great. I also had an opportunity to learn courses from Fukushima and Tohoku University which widened my cultural exchange opportunity. I would like to highlight here about how interactive my classes were during my study at TUFS, I had an opportunity to interact with people from different countries around the world which helped me to have different views about different things. Outside class, I had an opportunity to experience the Japanese culture on a bigger level. I visited various places including temples, zoos and other sites such as the Tokyo tower and sky tree. I also tried so many different foods such as yakiniku, gyoza, ramen and sushi but to mention a few. I also attended some festivals such as the fireworks festival and the Kurayami Festival where I was supposed to wear a special gown called a 鈥楬appi鈥? This festival was very interesting and I had a lot of fun.

(Fig. 3) Me in the center with other exchange students attending the Kurayami festival.

(Fig. 4) Me visiting a temple.

Furthermore, I visited Takao Mountain and I was able to hike to the top with my friends for the first time in my life. This was however a great experience. Finally, Japan is a very interesting country and I am more than grateful to have participated in the exchange programme because I learnt so many things both in class and outside class. I was able to learn basic aspects of the Japanese language, I was able to interact with people from around the world and I was also able to participate in various activities that impacted me and will certainly help me in the years to come. In conclusion, I would like to express my gratitude to Tokyo University of Foreign Studies for the great opportunity to study in Japan, the IAfP Office and the African Studies Center for the never ending support and help rendered to me from the first day I arrived to the last day I spent in Japan. Finally, I would also like to express my sincere gratitude to Yazaki Cooperation for the financial support rendered to me at the time of my arrival in Japan as it helped me settle in well, as well as some expenses. I hope to someday visit Japan again but for now I will treasure the memories and everything I learnt and also spread my experience with others in Zambia. THANK YOU!

(Fig.5) on the left me at the top of Mt. Takao

(Fig.6) Me on the left, Dr. Chihiro in the center and Themba on the right at the entrance of TUFs on the day of departure from Japan.

In the spring of 2024, IAfP welcomed three new students from Africa. They have started their progrom from 8th April.

They are Peggy and Mupelwa from 聽University of Zambia (UNZA), Verdiane from University of Yaound茅 I (UY1).

UY1 and TUFS has concluded MOU last May. This is the first time TUFS has been able to accept exchange student from the UY1. Welcome Verdiane!!

Peggy and Mupelwa will stay at TUFS for one semester until July 2024. Verdiane will stay at TUFS for two semesters until February 2025.

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