Winter exchange in Japan

In SP1, UniSA partnered with Kwansei Gakuin University (KGU) to deliver an unforgettable, pop cultural exchange in Japan. We speak to students that attended the trip to hear about their experience. 

TESTIMONIALS FROM STUDENTS

“My experience at Kwansei Gakuin University in Japan was unforgettable and I’m extremely grateful that I had the opportunity to participate in this short exchange through UniSA. It was a bit of a plunge outside of my comfort zone, especially as a socially anxious person, but everyone was so kind, helpful and accommodating. I like that they offer English exchange opportunities, which provides options for those who don’t know the language like myself. And though the time goes by fast, there are lots of benefits to going on a short exchange if a long one isn’t feasible. I was able to make a lot of friends and visit so many cool places. During that time I surprised and impressed myself with what I was able to accomplish, so I think it’s a great personal growth opportunity and a lot of fun as well. One of my favourite parts of the exchange was going to the Kaiyukan Aquarium in Osaka with two KGU students who I became friends with. It’s the biggest aquarium in the world and so beautiful! If anyone is considering doing an exchange, I wholeheartedly recommend.”

Luna de Lara
Bachelor of Design (Illustration and Animation)

“Going for an exchange to Japan was nothing like I imagined. Where I thought I would be alone most of the time adventuring and studying, there was a surprisingly large amount of local students, Australians, and other countries involved in the program. From the beginning, UniSA and the host uni KGU were very organised which made the trip to Japan and the university alone very easy. Class comprised of various group work tasks which got us to interact with each other and form friendships. The exchange program also had many field trips and cultural experiences we undertook as a group which was awesome. There was also so much free time available after class for us to travel around to do whatever we wanted to do. The university and accommodation were conveniently located to travel to the main cities (Osaka, Kyoto, Kobe, Nara, etc.) so we were not limited to where we wanted to sightsee and eat. Since returning home, I still keep in contact with many of the students from the class via social media commenting on each other’s stories, and viewing what is happening in each other’s lives – keen for future opportunities to visit each other.”

Cindy Basset 
Bachelor of Primary Teaching (Honours)

“The Winter School Program at Kwansei Gakuin University was one of the most rewarding experiences I’ve had in my life. While the 3-week intensive’s daily classes provided a lot of information to cram in, the workload never felt overwhelming or exhausting thanks to the passion of the two tutors and the fascinating Japanese culture we were being taught. The tutors understood our reason for being there was to learn about and experience Japan, and so ensured we’d have enough time to independently explore the beautiful cities around us—which I took every opportunity to do so. It’s hard to summarise all the good memories and experiences in such a packed three weeks, but I can safely say I have no regrets doing the exchange, and once I’d returned home I already wanted to fly straight back to Japan. Somehow, despite the constant activities and adventures, there’s still so much I want to do. The only real difficulty I faced was the language barrier (I don’t speak any Japanese), but thanks to translator apps, Google maps, and the consistent friendliness of the Japanese population, it was never much of an issue. If anyone is even slightly considering doing this or any other exchange, follow my advice and just take advantage of the opportunity—you won’t regret it.”

Daniel Kopeikin
Bachelor of Arts (Creative Writing & Literature, Screen Studies)

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