Japan – Thea
Student: Thea
Course: Bachelor of Exercise and Sport Science
Program: Trimester Exchange T1 2025
In January of 2025 I left for a study abroad in Japan for a whole trimester/semester. The university I was accepted into was Kansai Gaidai University. It has been my dream for YEARS to go to Japan, since 2015–2016 I’ve wanted to go, and this experience was everything I wished for and more.
The culture was just so different I loved it! I lived in Hirakata, the outskirts of the main city areas between Osaka and Kyoto (a 1–hour train ride to each city). To be living there I was very lucky, it wasn’t as crowded as city areas and everything was so close to each other, you even saw workers sweeping the streets and pathways!
Describe a normal day in your life overseas.
A normal day started when I woke at around 8–9 am. I lived on the Gotenyama campus in a building called YUI, I lived on the 3rd floor. I would get ready (clean my face and brush my teeth) get dressed in warm clothes as it was practically snowing outside. Then head off to class, it was a 10 minutes’ walk to Nakamiya campus where class started at 10:45am. It ended at 12:15pm, so I went and ate lunch with my friends before heading off to Osaka or Kyoto for more exploring. I visited many temples and shrines, went on a lot of walks, and did a lot of shopping! I would return back to Hirakata around 3–5 pm and go bowling with my friend Jackson before eating dinner and heading to bed.
Did you go on any memorable trips to explore the host country?
YES! I decided to go on a 4-day solo hike up in the Japanese mountains and completed most of the Nakahechi route of the Kumano Kodo. It’s one on the only pilgrimaged walks in the world. I travelled to the start by train and a bus which took around 9 hours, before checking in to my first stay. The next day I started, the track and scenery were breathtaking and beautiful, they had stamps all along the whole hike which made it worthwhile. I stayed in Minshukus (similar to Airbnbs), experienced authentic countryside Japanese foods, more amazing shrines, and stunning whether. I wasn’t experienced, I didn’t have the right gear – walked in tracksuits almost the whole way, but it is very much doable.
What was something that challenged you?
Honestly there was a lot. I don’t live at home currently, but I know my family is only a 2–hour drive away. Living in a completely different country (sometimes a time zone difference too) is very different to just moving out. I got homesick around 2–4 weeks into the trip. Once the excitement settled it’s like a sudden realisation that you can’t go back home and see family, I got really sick and was bedridden for days, couldn’t eat, it was extremely cold weather, and I didn’t know anyone that well. It got bad to the point the food didn’t feel right, it was delicious but not home. So, one thing I can advise is please meet people from the start, everyone is in a similar situation to you, and you won’t feel as lonely but happier to have someone to explore with and talk too.
My advice for travelling.
I don’t know if my advice is the same for everyone. But even if you plan your trip before leaving, it can easily be ignored once you arrive. I recommend taking it easy at the start. First of all, meet people! Organise your things, unpack everything, then go through what you need, towels, toiletries, shampoo, conditioners, everything. Depending on the person some pack a lot, and some pack light, but make sure to check the weather/seasons before you leave. Secondly, spend the next day’s adjusting to where you live, your already outside your comfort zone, make yourself comfortable but familiar to your surroundings, visit local shops, supermarkets, schools/universities, etc. Thirdly, now you can start planning, ask locals for places to visit, visit restaurants to try new foods, explore more with your friends, even try learning the language. And lastly budget! Although the more expense payments happen at the start, travelling and exploring, buying food, etc. are just as expensive.
One thing I learnt is that when making friends, they are lovely people, and I’m still friends with them today, but in Japan they had way more money than me. Do NOT compare yourself to them, if you can’t afford it voice it! Money will fly out of your pockets so please be mindful.
P.S. Also make sure to pack spare underwear into your carry on! My luggage did get lost for 3 days, so please make sure to pack accessible spare clothes.