[International Exchange] Students participating in the 2024 Australian Short-Term Training Program will return to their home country

The 2024 Australian Short-Term Study Program took place from February 21st to March 9th. Seven students studied at the University of Wollongong and experienced homestay. Below are the impressions of four participants.

Through this study abroad program, I was able to have a variety of experiences and make friends and important connections. Although I did encounter some problems and things I didn't understand while I was there, I was able to overcome them with the help of my classmates. Although it was only a short two weeks, I felt that I had grown as a person and had many wonderful memories, so I'm glad I participated in the training. (Third year student, Faculty of Modern Social Studies)

I was surprised at how casually Australians greet people even when they meet for the first time. Australians are very friendly. Every time I got on the bus, the driver would greet me and talk to me with a smile. It made both of us feel good and made the start of the day fun, so I thought it was a very good habit. (2nd year student Faculty of Intercultural Japanese Studies)

During my homestay, I had a great time cooking home-cooked meals together and watching movies and listening to music. My host mother asked me questions like, "Why do Japanese people wash their hair every day?" and "Why do they wear makeup when it's not necessary?" and I thought it was interesting to have questions about these things. I realized that customs that I thought were normal for us are not part of the culture of other countries. My host family and teachers also corrected me when I used English incorrectly, and there was a lot I could learn from everyday conversations. I also experienced firsthand the importance of understanding different cultures. (Third year student Faculty of Intercultural Japanese Studies)

I realized that Australia is a country with a strong awareness of nature conservation, with many people trying to coexist with animals that have unique ecologies. The country is rich in nature and has many animals, so I was able to take photos and observe them. After returning to Japan, I started going for walks and observing various animals. (4th year student Faculty of Intercultural Japanese Studies)

Source: Global Center