Contact
Ms. Sneha Arora
- From
- New Delhi
- Degree
- 2nd year, College of Policy Science, Community and Regional Policy Studies Major, Ritsumeikan University
Message
Please give a short introduction of yourself.
My name is Sneha Arora, and I am currently doing the CRPS course at the College of Policy Science, Ritsumeikan University in Osaka. I have come from New Delhi, India and am currently in my second year at the university.
What is your favorite thing about Osaka?
There are quite a few things I really really like about Osaka. The main thing is that Osaka’s location allows easy accessibility to the neighbouring cities of Kyoto and Kobe. Moreover, I have become a complete fan of Osaka’s famous “Takoyaki”. The Universal Studios are also one of my favourite spots in the city!
In what way has your impression of Osaka or Japan changed since coming here?
I did not know much about Japan before I came here, except the limited knowledge I had from anime and other Japanese media. However, I could never have predicted the kindness and humility of most of the people I have met here. They have been very helpful in making my experience here free of discrepancies and I have made many friends as well. Of course, the advanced technology and the convenience in travelling and shopping is a huge bonus too!
What attracted you to choose Ritsumeikan University as a place to study?
Ritsumeikan is a big name here in Japan, and I knew that it was a prestigious university even when I was in India. That is why I was keen on applying here. Moreover, CRPS seemed to be a wonderful course to me, as it had an entirely international batch of students and a large variety of subjects which are not even heard of in India. We also get the chance to take classes with other Japanese students in the Policy Science department and it is always fun to get to know more and more people. The CRPS course classes are, largely, based on discussions and debates in class, along with field work sometimes, so the learning process is a completely different experience from that in India. It gives us both theoretical and practical knowledge and encourages us to build our own opinions on issues of the world, as well as hear out opinions of all other students, who are representatives of the different perspectives of the world. It truly is a unique course, according to me, and I am glad I chose to come here for it!
In what way did you adjust yourself to Japanese culture?
Since the Japanese culture is very different from what I was used to back in India, I have to say that it was a little difficult to adjust here at the beginning. However, because there was never a lack of helping peers and teachers, I quickly got accustomed to this way of life. I have reached a point where I quite enjoy the way things are done here, and I love boasting to my family and friends in India that I can easily eat anything at all with chopsticks! I love going for karaoke with my friends, eating Japanese food, and while I hated seafood before coming here, I have become a huge fan of sushi now! I think it is all about trying new things and giving it a chance, and then it just becomes part of your life!
Please give a message to students or researchers in your home country who may be thinking about studying in Japan?
I understand that currently Japan is not the country that Indians generally consider for overseas studies. However, please don’t think I am biased (well, I may be a little biased because I really like it here!) when I say that Japan will give you the experience of a lifetime! Of course, the language is a barrier and the food is very different from India, but life is about taking risks and trying new things out. You will eventually learn the language and understand the culture. I will not say that it is completely free of hurdles and I agree there might be days where you will probably think that you made the wrong choice, but to be honest, that will happen wherever you choose to go, even if you decide to stay back in India. I personally believe that sometimes it is more fun to do something different from the mainstream and just see where it takes me!