Thendrel Venkhataraam
Lady Doak College
India

Host Institution: International Christian University, Japan
Fall 2023

I got selected by the International Christian University, Japan, for the Fall semester  exchange program. Right from the selection results I was guided very well by the ICU  personnel about each procedure. The courses offered are diverse. I opted for four courses — International Migration and Ethnicity, Communication Technology and Society, Foreign  Policy Analysis and Peace and Intergroup Relations. I got the opportunity to explore  different courses. Many orientations were conducted to help us with our stay in Japan. We  were given personal mentors to assist us.

I got the chance to study in my different fields of interest and learned in depth about the  struggles of immigrants and refugees which has created a great impact on me. I now  understand what a refugee goes through in their lives. It was fascinating to learn about the  entire process behind framing a foreign policy in a country. The history of the development  of different communication technologies made me realize that we have come a long way and  now we are entirely dependent on technology on an everyday basis.

The classes were very interesting. The teachers were very friendly and clear with their  instructions. We were informed about the entire semester in the first class. Many ice breaking sessions took place in the first couple of classes. Students used different types of  gadgets to take notes. I got the chance to become friends with students from different parts  of the world. During class discussions all our views and approaches were different. I learned a lot about different cultures and lifestyles. I interviewed some immigrants and got to know  about the struggles they faced after migrating. Japanese people are very helpful. Many of my  Japanese friends helped me to settle down here. I volunteered in some events that took place  at the university. I got an opportunity to interact with a few old age people who had no one  as their family. Japanese culture gives a lot of respect to other people. Even though Japan is  a very well-developed country, the after-effects of the war are still evident. We can see many  disabled people here in Japan. 

My experience in Japan has made me a responsible person. I learned a lot from everyday  challenges. Now I learned how to manage finances. These three months of my life have  played a great part in molding me as a person. I can confidently face the upcoming  challenges in life by myself now. My approach towards education has changed. I can help  my friends by sharing my experience here.