Joseph – Ritsumeikan University – Japan
Semester 2, 2024 – Semester 1, 2025
Bachelor of Business – International
Introduction
Hi, I’m Joe Lazzarini. I’m a 4th-year International Business student, and I recently finished a year-long exchange at Ritsumeikan University in Kyoto, Japan. My degree requires two semesters abroad, so I always knew I’d spend about a year overseas. But it wasn’t until the end of my second year that I knew Japan was where I wanted to go.
Why I Went on Exchange
You don’t need a deep personal connection to a country to go on exchange, but you do need some motivation. For me, it came from my love of learning about other cultures and meeting people from different backgrounds.
Another reason was that life in Brisbane had started to feel repetitive—I needed something fresh and challenging. Japan gave me exactly that. I met incredible people, learned so much, and experienced something far richer than just a holiday or reading about a culture from home.
Adjusting to Life in Kyoto
Before I left, I had only studied Japanese for about a month, so I basically arrived with zero language skills. Ordering food or asking for directions was intimidating at first. But with Japanese classes at Ritsumeikan and daily practice with friends, I slowly built-up confidence.
By the end of the year, I’d reached roughly an N4 level, able to hold basic conversations and manage day-to-day life without overthinking. While you can get by in Japan without Japanese, learning the language made everything more meaningful. Even knowing just the basics help you connect more deeply with people and the culture.
Dorm Life and Classes
I was placed in my first-choice dorm, Taishogun, about a 20-minute walk or 7–8-minute bike ride from campus. The dorm was mostly international students, with a few Japanese “Resident Mentors” who helped us with paperwork and settling in.
As it was my first time living away from home, the dorm was perfect. It felt comfortable, social, and gave me plenty of freedom. I made close friends quickly, and together we’d rent cars or use Japan’s amazing public transport to explore parts of Japan that tourists often miss.
Academically, most of my classes were Japanese language courses, with a few English electives to meet my credit requirements. One tip: if you’re planning to take Japanese classes, check the course list from the previous year (make sure it’s the same semester you’re entering – either spring or fall semester). Language courses can clash with English-taught ones, so planning ahead helps. Also, side note – Ritsumeikan has a 60% pass rate! (not sure about other Japanese universities though).
The biggest surprise was how much the class schedule felt like high school. I had 11 classes per week, Monday to Friday, each running 95 minutes, with a lunch break from 12:20 to 1:10pm.
Final Tips for Exchange
There’s a lot I could share, but here are a few things I’d tell anyone heading on exchange, whether to Japan or elsewhere:
• Don’t think of it as just a long holiday—go in prepared for challenges as well as fun.
• The stressful moments, especially early on, pass quickly compared to the overall experience.
• Make the most of each day, but don’t feel bad about kicking back every now and again and not doing something exciting!
• By the end, the little stresses will seem insignificant compared to everything you’ve gained.
For me, exchange was truly once in a lifetime: living overseas, making lifelong friends, and growing in ways I never could have if I’d stayed in Brisbane.
Reflections After Returning Home
Coming back from Kyoto, I don’t feel like I lost anything, but I gained so much. The experience only happened because I pushed myself out of my comfort zone.
At first, life in Japan was intimidating. But it taught me patience, resilience, and curiosity. My exchange wasn’t just about stories or memories, it gave me skills I can use in my career: building connections, understanding people, and adapting to new situations.
I also learned practical lessons. Living independently required far less than I thought, and I discovered I was much more capable than I’d believed. Most importantly, Japan taught me it’s okay to feel uncertain, and that things don’t have to be perfect—because in the end, it will all be alright.
Above all, I grew as a person – and so will you! Exchange showed me that openness and respect for other cultures builds true understanding. That lesson, more than anything, is what I’ll carry with me long after my year abroad.
Find out more on how you can apply: Student Exchange
