Japan: A Semester Abroad at Kwansei Gakuin University
Jacob Lackner chose Japan for his year abroad because he wanted to gain experience outside Europe. He has been at Kwansei Gakuin University since September 2023 and will remain there until August 2024. Kwansei Gakuin University is a private university in Japan and one of 225 partner universities of the University of Applied Sciences (FH) Kufstein Tirol worldwide. "Japanese culture is fascinating, and Japan also has an incredible amount to offer in an economic context," enthuses Jacob after the first five months of his stay.
The highlights so far
Jacob is fascinated by the daily exchange with international students and the impressions of the country that you gain during your studies and while traveling. "My highlights so far have been trips to Kyoto, Osaka, and Kobe. The cities in Japan are clean and very beautiful; they offer a lot of culture." A typical day at the university involves a day filled with course meetings. In between, Jacob fortifies himself with a meal in the cafeteria. He often uses the evenings for sports sessions at the university's training center and then goes out into the city. "Personally, living independently in a foreign country has had the biggest impact on me so far," Jacob sums up after his first few months. "The university is very large and has a correspondingly large number of students. You have to make an active effort to make contacts. In comparison, it's a lot quieter in Kufstein and much easier to get to know a lot of your fellow students."
Tips and conclusions for a semester abroad in Japan
"People in Japan are very reserved and often don't express their real opinions. That takes a lot of getting used to at first," says Jacob, trying to describe the mentality of the Japanese. "You also have to get used to doing things the way it's done there. If you follow most of the instructions, you won't have any problems." Jacob lives in an international hall of residence near the university, with native students from Japan as well as students from across the globe. "The country is beautiful and worth every trip. If you have the opportunity to spend several months there, you should definitely do it," Jacob recommends. "The climate in Japan is very different, and you should be prepared for the high humidity in particular. A basic knowledge of Japanese is also recommended, although not essential. On average, Japanese people speak English rather poorly," Jacob concludes.
Internationality at the FH Kufstein Tirol
A mandatory semester abroad is integrated into every full-time Bachelor's degree program at the FH Kufstein Tirol. The part-time degree programs acquire their intercultural skills through intensive one-week study trips. Jacob's International Business Studies degree program is special because it requires not one but two semesters of study abroad. The International Relations Office (IRO) at FH Kufstein Tirol is available to students as a point of contact when planning their semester abroad.
Links:
- Partner university Kwansei Gakuin University
- Full-time Bachelor's degree program in International Business Studies – Full-Time – University of Applied Sciences Kufstein Tirol