Hyogo University Mobility in Asia and the Pacific

2022『Accepted』

  • Name:Z. Y. [ 中国 ]

  • Acceptance period:Oct. 1, 2022 ~ Aug. 10, 2023
  • Acceptance university:神戸大学
  • University enrolled:北京外国語大学


Opportunity of the studying abroad, purpose

I used to admire Kobe University when I heard that it was selected as one of Japan's "Top 10 Most Difficult National Universities" and that it represents the high-level academics of Japan's national universities. Besides, I am very interested in Kobe University because of its classes in modern Japanese and Chinese literature. There, I would be able to work with Japanese students and professors to translate Chinese literary works into Japanese. I also took Chinese literature and history classes in Beijing, but I would really like to know how Chinese literature and history are introduced in classes at Kobe University and how they are considered by Japanese students. As I mentioned before, I am interested in translation and would like to try to translate Chinese literary works into Japanese under tutor's guidance. In the process, I would like to study the differences in the way of thinking of Japanese and Chinese students about the same work. On the other hand, I love Japanese modern and contemporary literature, especially the works of Haruki Murakami. Although it is possible to read and study Japanese literature at Chinese universities, I would still like to know how Japanese teachers instruct on my own. Finally, I was also interested in various aspects of Japanese culture. I would like to experience Japanese culture such as tea ceremony, Japanese archery, kimono, etc., and discover the differences and similarities between Japanese culture and Chinese culture in person.

Experience while studying abroad

In class, while communicating with Japanese classmates, I can translate Chinese novels, learn Chinese novels and comment on them in Japanese. I can master natural and fluent Japanese, and I can also learn my own Chinese literature and become a Japanese teacher. I also learned how my classmates think about and study Chinese literature, so it was a really special and wonderful experience. I was also introduced to the field of Japanese Chinese literature for the first time at Kobe university, and I learned a little about it and the subjects that study it, and read books. Although it is Chinese literature, it can be observed from other perspectives, and I knew that such a way of thinking apart from the subject was important. With regard to Japanese literature, I also read a lot of books and learned the procedures and methods of analyzing them. In particular, I was able to learn a lot of new knowledge about modern literature, although I could not say it was completely different from what I already knew. I was able to have new impressions about Japan, and I was able to think and reflect on my own country. On the other hand, life in Japan and China are completely different. Living alone may be lonely, but I was able to find myself, make friends with myself, and think about the value of what I was doing. At first, I didn't know about trams, but now I don't know much about trams. Although he only spent a year studying abroad, he had the courage to participate in the volleyball club. I thought they were supposed to be strict, but everyone was kind and taught me a lot.

Results of study abroad, future goals

Throughout the year, thanks to the classes in the Faculty of Literature, I have read a variety of books and texts and have learned and deepened my knowledge and understanding of culture and literature. In addition, I developed the habit of reading books in my spare time, such as when riding the train. In the classes, I not only learnt about Japanese culture and literature, but also about Chinese music and traditional literature. There, I was able to interact with all the Japanese people in both classes, including translation and Chinese literature classes, which was a wonderful experience. I became aware anew of the image of Chinese culture held by Japanese students and was able to actually discuss it with them, further deepening my understanding.
I have also decided to study interpreting as a major, thanks to a class with a Chinese teacher. In that class, I acted as a bridge between the Chinese teacher and the Japanese students, as the teacher did not understand Japan. When the Japanese students did not understand what the teacher said, or when the teacher did not understand the Japanese spoken by the students, I interpreted for them. In this way, both sides were able to interact and the classes were established. Gradually, I became interested in and passionate about translation and interpretation. I began to think that I would do my best to tell the stories of both countries properly. To achieve this, I now want to develop my translation and interpreting skills and continue to work hard.