RODOLFO PALHARES

Dream of "visiting Japan" grasped as an exchange student

Ever since I was a child, one of my dreams was to go to Japan. I studied Japanese language and culture in my own country, Portugal, while I was an exchange student at Aichi Prefectural University. It was a wonderful experience, and I was very happy to be able to experience firsthand a "Japanese school" that I had only known through TV and the Internet. The university staff were always very kind and the teachers were always in a welcoming mood.

I enjoyed my study abroad experience to the fullest, classes, food, travel, and friends.

I participated in a class that was conducted entirely in Japanese. In this class, there were students from Argentina, Brazil, and other countries with diverse cultural backgrounds, but of course, everyone had to attend the class equally in Japanese. The teacher and Japanese students asked questions in Japanese without hesitation, and discussions progressed rapidly, so I felt that my Japanese language skills had improved considerably by the end of the class. I gave a presentation in Japanese on the history of the Portuguese dictatorship. It was very hard work, but I am still proud of my participation. Outside of class, I traveled a lot throughout Japan. One of my fondest memories is taking a trip to an onsen (hot spring), interacting with Japanese students at iCoToBa (a multilingual learning center), and eating in the cafeteria. The food in the cafeteria was delicious and I became a fan of ramen. Japanese food tastes great no matter where you eat it, and my biggest problem during my stay in Japan was that I always ended up eating too much.

Message to Future Aichi Prefectural University International Students

Welcome to the best experience of your life! I myself have started a new adventure in Japan.

It takes courage to get used to it, but with the help of the teachers and staff at Aichi Prefectural University, you will be able to overcome it just as I was able to do. The biggest obstacle was the language, but you will get better. At Aichi Prefectural University, there are cultural exchanges not only with Japanese but also with people from all over the world. I met some of my best friends here. Still, I feel that I should have experienced more, seen more, heard more, and challenged myself more. Please use your time carefully.

I encourage you to take on the challenge of studying abroad at Aichi Prefectural University. I guarantee you the best experience!