Japanese Language and Culture Studies Program (JLCSP) Guide 2023-2024

If someone ask me which part of my life is the most precious one, I would say that part would be the time during my exchange here in Hokkaido University without any hesitation.

The only thing that hasn't changed since I started learning Japanese is being an exchange student here in Japan. As a result of studying Japanese, I want to develop my Japanese skills by communicating with Japanese people in the actual environment surrounded by that native speakers from my daily routine here. I also want to understand more about Japanese culture that I have always dreamed of which led me to apply for the JLCSP exchange programme.

For me, spending time as an exchange student here was the goal that I have wanted to achieve. But After I came here, there were a lot of things which were beyond my expectation. At first, I expected to understand more about Japan and spend time with the Japanese, but it is actually much more than this. I have met several different exchange students from around the world. I get to learn more regarding their cultures and languages which I have never experienced before. This cultural exchange during this program is not limited to only Thai-Japanese culture but it’s full of unique and diverse cultures from my various friends which is not the experience that I can easily gain from anywhere else. Everyday that I live here, I’m very happy, it is just like living in a dream.

The part that I like the most when living here is the language that we as exchange students, which grow up from different contexts and languages use to communicate to each other. We use Japanese as an interlanguage instead of using English, which is a significant part of an exchange student's life.

During this 1 year exchange program, my path has crossed with new different people. Then we become good friends with each other whether they are Japanese or they are from other countries. No matter where we came from, or what native language and culture that we grew up with, Hokkaido University has made us feel connected. This opportunity has brought us together and created plenty of memorable moments. From my perspective, the experience that I’ve gained here is considered to be the best thing that has happened to me. These will surely be the unforgettable moments of my life.

Coming to Hokkaido University has been one of the most enriching experiences of my life. At the start, it was tough to take classes online at night, but I always thought it was worth the try and finally could make it to Sapporo.

The quality of the JLCSP program and the professionality of the teaching staff was superior, and I feel that they really helped me grow and learn. Also, being able to communicate in Japanese with my classmates (and Japanese classmates too) helped me being able to understand the context and Japanese culture deeper. I am thankful to all the friends from all over the world I could make here and the thousands of unforgettable memories we shared together: the first day of snow, getting lost inside the enormous campus, the hot waters of Jozankei Onsen, the cold wind in Otaru, the beauty of the lavender fields… I appreciate them all.

This experience has not been only learning Japanese, but learning how to live by myself, and to live in Japanese society. If you have the opportunity, I highly recommend you come to one of the top universities of Japan as it can be a changing point in your life.

Studying abroad for a year at Hokkaido University was the most important experience in my life. Because of the coronavirus, there were many difficulties such as entering the country, daily life, classes. However, thanks to the consideration from the university and the teacher's guidance, I was able to get used to daily life and classes in Japan.

While living in Sapporo, I was able to experience Japanese society. From light experiences such as shopping and sightseeing, to part-time jobs, administrative procedures, and opening a bank account, I fully enjoyed my life in Japan. I am very happy that I was able to have a unique local experience that I could not learn from the textbooks while being exposed to everyday Japanese. I was disappointed when classes were held online and I had to wait in my home country to enter to Japan, but my negative feeling disappeared after I finally came to Sapporo.

In addition, I was able to meet various foreign students who gathered to deepen their understanding of Japanese language and culture. By contacting with students who share the same goals, I realized my shortcomings and need to work even harder, so I concentrated on my studies.

We worked together to make up for each other’s shortcomings. Furthermore, I was able to talk about my dreams and think seriously about my future.

If you have any doubts about studying in Japan, please come to Hokkaido University, and I think you will have such a rewarding experience that I can say that you will be able to spend your life studying abroad without regret.

The one year exchange program at the Hokkaido university was the most intense and emotion-packed time of my life. The program started during the Covid times in the second half of the year 2021. At that time, the university was able to offer a hybrid style of class, that made sure that the health safety guidelines of the students, as well as the teaching staff were respected, this while providing excellent lessons both online and in-class courses.

The classes I took were all in Japanese, addressing language, literature, conversational skills etc. At the start I was afraid that, while at the Advanced Japanese level, I wouldn’t be able to keep up with the contents and reports. But the classes were designed to have a time to get acquainted with the subject. Of course, my friends and colleagues were also essential not only to understand the contents, but to motivate me to get better overall. Seeing how our writing styles and interests differed, and how they approached certain problems and topics was a great source of motivation.

As the classes progressed, we started meeting more students, exploring the incredible campus of the university, and for the first time in my life went skiing! Then, after the climate got a little warmer, the Japanese students I met in my exchange class invited me to take part in the YOSAKOI Soran Festival. I had never joined a dance performance before, but to go to a stage with my international and japanese friends was certainly the most vivid memory that I’ll take from 2022.

Finally, the friends that I made during this year were what made this experience complete. I came with the expectation to mostly improve my communication skills, but meeting people from all over the world made me rethink my point of view of society and values. Through my experiences here, I realized how much of my habits were culture driven, and got to comprehend that even though necessary, they sometimes limited me. Through this program, I grew as an individual.

SRI LANKA/スリランカ

Through a year of studying at Hokkaido University, I was able to collect nostalgic experiences that cannot be expressed in words. Looking back on my life so far, I think that studying at Hokkaido University was the most valuable experience for me. First of all, I would like to explain why I chose Hokkaido University to study as a JLCSP student. To enjoy the beautiful seasons including winter, and to improve my Japanese proficiency, I thought the Hokkaido university was the most suitable, representative university in Japan.

It can be said that through the JLCSP course at Hokkaido University, I have acquired new knowledge, and got to know about Japanese culture, and Japanese society over the past year. In the JLCSP course, I was able to freely choose the lessons that I was interested in and participate in different and valuable lessons. The teachers kindly taught me no matter how difficult the lessons, so I was able to complete this year's course without any problems. In the class, I learned not only about Japanese language but also various knowledge necessary for living in Japanese society. Also, the clerical staff always took care of me, and I had a really wonderful year.

The unforgettable thing I got from this course is my friends. Many international students from various countries studying at Hokkaido University and I made friends with everyone. I was always able to do various activities with friends, and also got to know about their different cultures. I also enjoyed traveling to various places in Sapporo.I enjoyed the beauty of Sapporo, participated in many festivals such as the Snow Festival and the fireworks while discovering Sapporo. Besides international students, I became friends with Japanese friends, and had an enjoyable time through traveling and dining out.

Within the year of studying at Hokkaido University is an experience I will never forget. In fact, I can't describe in words the experience and knowledge gained from studying at Hokkaido University. It is no exaggeration to say that the most nostalgic memories of life were made at Hokkaido University. Once Someone study at Hokkaido University, never regrets. If I come to Japan again someday, I definitely want to go back to Hokkaido!