M. K. (Hochschule Düsseldorf)

I had long wanted to study in Japan, and in the spring of 2024, I finally got the chance to stay in Kyoto for a few months. If I could, I would stay even longer. But since I have to finish my Master’s thesis in the upcoming semester, I have to return home. I attended Japanese classes for two months, and it was amazing! The teachers were incredibly nice, skilled, and funny. The classes were intensive, but I learned a lot and improved my Japanese very quickly, allowing me to have light conversations with Japanese students and local residents. I had the chance to play the koto and shamisen, which was really interesting. I also made some wagashi (Japanese sweets). We visited many beautiful places like Arashiyama and Fushimi Inari, which will forever be my favorite spots in Kyoto. I made many lifelong friends and will always cherish the memories from my time in Kyoto. I’d like to say thank you to all the Japanese students who always took us to nice restaurants and cafes, making our time in Kyoto even more precious. Also, a big thank you to all the people in the DIA office who organized everything and always took such good care of us! 本当にありがとうございました！

E. X. (Duke University)

Being able to live and study in Japan has been an absolute dream come true! This was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and I only regret not being able to stay longer. I’m so grateful to the JLIC program and staff for making this possible. I love that the small program size allows for specialized attention, meaning you’re well-taken care of from the moment you’re accepted. While at times challenging, living amongst and being surrounded by Japanese has greatly improved my language skills and understanding of the culture. I feel much more confident speaking and even making mistakes in Japanese. My favorite aspect of the program is that it takes cultural immersion seriously by offering many opportunities to socialize with Japanese peers from field trips to joining clubs. This by itself was enough reason for me to choose JLIC because when and where else would I be able to meet Japanese students in an academic environment? We went to Arashiyama, made kanzashi hair accessories, and ate lots of food together. Everyone was super friendly and receptive, for which I am thankful. It is what you make of it. So I encourage you to step out of your comfort zone and initiate interactions with local students! Outside of DWCLA, Kyoto is an amazing city with so many things to do such as shopping on Kawaramachi Street or visiting the Fushimi Inari Shrine. As I reflect on my time at DWCLA, only fond memories arise and now my heart longs for Kyoto. また会いましょう!