When I was in high school, I believed that I was able to learn a language quickly. Therefore, I decided to study languages at university. Since I enjoy watching YouTube videos about Japan every day, I became interested in Japanese culture and decided to study about it as my university major. After two and half years of studying, my Japanese is still insufficient, and my understanding of Japanese culture is still not enough.
In order to improve my Japanese abilities, I believe that using Japanese accurately plays a crucial role. Therefore, I've started looking for opportunities to work and interact with Japanese and international students in Japan. In this way, I will understand more about the language and the correct way to use it under different circumstances.

It has been 5 months since I received the HUMAP scholarship. Thanks to that, I can enjoy my experience studying abroad without worry during the Coronavirus pandemic. My life in Japan as an international student is like a dream. I have had the opportunity to explore Kobe to its fullest and found out it’s not only famous as a cosmopolitan city, but also as a compact port city that boasts some of the country’s best beef and is also well-known for strawberry cakes and coffee. I can explore the heart and soul of Japan through these wonderful experiences.

I also took a 2-day trip traveling alone to Hiroshima. Everything went wrong from the start; it rained cats and dogs, my Seishun18 ticket had some troubles, transferring JR trains 5 times was insane, and there were times when I was about to give up, but I’m glad I did not. This trip was a great opportunity to make more friends out of strangers. It’s truly incredible how travelling puts me in the right place, at the right time, to meet the right people. I met Mika at the train station. She took me half the way to Hiroshima, and told me all the best things, not only in Hiroshima, but also in the surrounding area. On the next day, I met Mr. Tsukisana, who was a 71-year-old solo traveller at Mountain Misen's observatory. We just chatted for a bit, but his words encouraged me the most. I complained about the weather, and told him the only reason that things all went wrong was I was an unlucky person myself.
“It’s just a bad day, not a bad life”, he replied. Such words brought me to tears.
These people, I'll never speak to again, but the memories will last forever.

Looking back, I realize that my life has never been so enjoyable or meaningful. This journey has taught me a lot and changed me for the better. I am more responsible now thanks to the hardship that I had to endure, and the lessons that I learnt. This helps me appreciate the HUMAP scholarship even more, and motivates me to strive to be the person I want to be in the future, to try new things, and to improve myself.

Thanks to being in Japan, I feel like I've been living a meaningful life this whole year.
I strongly believe that beside the knowledge learned at school, things gained from daily life are also important in the same way. Hence, this time, I made friends with international students from various countries and shared our experiences in Japan together. We expressed our thoughts through all the ups and downs of learning to be independent in our own countries and Japan. It seems to be a lucky chance for me to compare and analyze every good and bad thing among those opinions and gain a wider perspective on this world.
Furthermore, the HUMAP scholarship has given me an opportunity to travel on my own, meet native people, and experience the culture with all my senses. Therefore, I could get a deeper understanding yet, get closer to the experience that my friends have taught me, and change it into my own knowledge.
After one year studying in Japan, I discovered more about the unknown Japan that has never been shown in books as well as on the Internet. I can say that I have become more and more fond of this country. Therefore, I will do my best to have a chance to study in Japan as well as Kobe Shoin as a graduate student in the future.