It is overall a very nice experience to live in Japan for one year. I got the opportunity to know more about the local culture and learn about their language both on campus and outside. Because I am actually living here and need to speak Japanese on a daily basis, my Japanese has improved significantly. I also had the opportunity to improve academically. Here in Japan, I am able to take many courses that are more focused on East-Asian societies, history and politics which are not that available in lse. I got to learn with many excellent scholars who specialise in East Asia and it helps me a lot with my future study.
By Lin Zeng, BSc Social Anthropology (2022/23)
The one year that I spent in Japan is such an amazing experience for me. It gives me an opportunity to have wider perspectives to see the world. The experience that I had in Japan is different from the one I had in the UK. In the UK, I fully embraced a drastically different culture from my own. In Japan, it was more about enabling me to appreciate the subtle differences between different Asian cultures. On top of that, I am especially satisfied with the support that I had from both the LSE team in charge of the exchange programme and the host institutions department in charge of the exchange students. I was being taken with such great care that I had no need to care about other things but totally immerse myself in the exchange experience and enjoy this precious opportunity to its best.
As the host institution often hosts events for exchange students, it actually allowed me to make friends with many students from all over the world, this, in turn, gave me the opportunity to know more things other than Japan. This, however, does not mean the chance for me to interact with the local Japanese students was limited. There were also a lot of occasions provided for exchange students to meet and study with the local Japanese students and gain a deeper insight into Japanese society. I gained more insights into Japanese society and culture as well academically speaking, thanks to the various courses available for the exchange students provided by the host institution.
Overall, I have had an incredible journey in Japan, and have more perspectives about not only Japan but also the whole world as well. And I am grateful to LSE and the host institution, the University of Tokyo, and the people in the two institutions that made this happen.
By Fohua Pan, BSc Social Anthropology
My study abroad had changed my life in multiple ways. Firstly, I studied things I have never had a chance or opportunity to not only in LSE but at the institutions back in the UK. The insights I gained were unparalleled - about global politics, economics, social studies, language learning and also about myself and my own interests. The best thing about my study abroad year was joining a local society and meeting so many local students with whom I could bond with over our mutual hobbies.
I was particularly satisfied with the academic teaching and opportunities I could undertake, as I could take far more subjects than possible at LSE in my degree. It has impacted me in countless ways. I have gained a sense of self-confidence and self-knowledge that I have never had before. I have become far more independent and self-aware, as well as more professional skilled. I have met so many amazing people, travelled so much and had some of the best, most beautiful experiences of my life. I feel like I have had a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to really try new things and think about myself and my career at such a crucial moment before my graduation, and this will help me endlessly in my career and prospects beyond LSE.
I would say that it has changed my perspective on life as I got to experience so many facets of another culture, learn another language and also be so far out of my comfort zone. It has changed my approach to learning and re-ignited an interest in academia, language studies and also shown me more of the career I would be interested in! I got to take courses that are specific to the country I was in and that allowed for a deeper appreciation of my surroundings and the culture.
I will miss it all so much and miss all the friends I have made but I am so grateful for this opportunity that has truly changed my life. I feel as if being out of my comfort zone, I really got the time and space to explore whatI wanted in all aspects of my life and this exchange; the experiences, travels, studies and friends, have shown me exactly what I want for my next step. The experience will never leave me and I will be eternally grateful and connected to this country and have life-long friendships both in the UK and abroad as a result.
By Arden Farrow, BSc Social Anthropology