Walton – Kansai Gaidai University – Japan
Semester 1, 2023
Bachelor of Information Technology
To say the experience, I had in Japan at Kansai Gaidai University (KGU) during the Spring semester was an experience of a lifetime would be an understatement. It truly was the best experience of my life. I deeply emersed myself as much as I could in the Japanese life and met many of the locals who were such kindhearted, caring, and passionate people. My studies in Japan helped me get the Jump start I needed to begin my journey of learning the Japanese language, and I learned so much about the Japanese history and culture through my chosen subjects.
The university
Kansai Gaidai University is located in a wonderful and quiet family area located conveniently near 2 train stations and right in the middle of Osaka city and Kyoto. The Japanese and exchange students were all super friendly and I created many friendships from all around the world such as people from Mexico, America, Italy, Finland, Vietnam, Columbia, and of course the locals Japan! The classes had around 20 students, the workload was not too overwhelming, and the teachers were extremely kind and passionate about their work. During the beginning of the Spring semester the campus is quiet with very little Japanese students, but with this you can take full advantage of the cafeteria because when the students return, the line to the cafeteria is huge!
The dorms
I stayed in the Gotenyama campus dorm which is only a 10-minute walk from the Nakamiya campus where I had all my subjects. Just outside the dorm there are the main convenience stores, 7 Eleven, Lawson and Family mart, a Drug store called Welcia, a McDonalds and a 24/7 gyudon shop called Sukiya. The dorm life was amazing as it led to lots of close friendships with who I would go on many adventures with around the country. The dorm had Japanese students who would look after all the student’s needs, a 24/7 help desk at the entrance and 24/7 access, so no annoying curfew. There is also a cafeteria at the dorm which offers cheap meals from breakfast to dinner.
Travels and things to do
The Gotenyama campus dorms were a 10-minute walk from the Gotenyama station if heading north to the local Kuzuha mall or towards Kyoto, and a 20-minute walk from the Hirakata station if heading south towards Osaka city. I found myself travelling to Kyoto and Osaka city every week, even multiple times a week. Both Osaka city and Kyoto were about 45 minutes travel by train. In Kyoto I went to the Arashiyama Monkey Park and Bamboo Grove, The Kiyomizu-dera temple and Fushimi inari with the thousands of tori gates. In Osaka you have the Pokémon center, Osaka castle, Universal Studios Japan, A mega sized aquarium, Dotonbori with its streets full of street food and restaurants and you will find the famous Glico running man sign there, and the Umeda sky building. If you wish to travel around 1.5 hours, you can reach Nara and Kobe which are also amazing experiences! If you are ever lost, just ask a local for help and they will go above and beyond to make sure you get to where you need to be! Also, Google Maps is your best friend as shows all the trains and the times you need to take them down to the minute. This exchange has ignited a passion for Japan, and I cannot wait to return and experience more of the wonderful country.
