1. Some information about Tsukuba university

Tsukuba University which was established in 1872, is the one of the oldest universities in Japan. Tsukuba University ranks in the top 10 universities in Japan and rank 172th in the world.University of Tsukuba is located in Tsukuba city, Ibaraki Prefecture of Japan.The main campus of Tsukuba University has total area of 258 hectares, which is the second largest campus in Japan.

     2. This is all of my subjects which I resisted

• Social Nature: grade C (1 credit)
• Comprehensive Japanese 1A:grade A (4 credits)
• Kanji 1A: grade A (1 credit)
• Introduction to Japanese Culture: grade A (1.5 credits)
• Formation and Transformation of Contemporary: grade A (1.5 credits)
• Linguistic Anthropology: grade B (2 credits)
• Marine Biology: grade B (1 credit)
• Water Environmental Management Technology: grade A (1 credit - intensive)
• Basic Global Society: grade B (1 credit)
• Trans-ASEAN Global Agenda Debate: grade B (1 credit)
• Global Issue Internship: grade A (1 credit)
• Specialize Field Practice III: grade A (1 credit)
• Specialize Field Practice V: grade A (1 credit)
• Specialize Field Practice VI: grade A (1 credit)

3. The life in Japan

Tsukuba is a suburban city and the weather at that time (April) is quite cold,hence prepare your warm clothes. The supermarket which is fairly near the university, sells a lot of things not only food, drink but also household items that more convenient than Vietnam.

The price in Japan is quite expensive that compares to Vietnam, if you intend to save money, you can buy food for cooking and you can take the part-time job that requires your ability of basic Japanese communication.

The Japanese way of working is very punctual. Their ability in English is limited, but they will always help you if we have problems.

     4. Field trip

• Going around Tsukuba University
• Visiting Saitama Prefecture and meeting high school students for exchanging culture and then going out with them for chatting and shopping.
• Going to Tsukuba Mountain for researching about the process of Mount Tsukuba and geology. And then we were going to the old village and knew the ways of constructing, arrangement and the characteristic of Japan’s house. After that, we continued moving to Kasumigaura Lake to research the pollution of that lake and gave the resolution.
• Going to silk factory which exists for a long time and had a chance of making silk.
• Going to the Japan making paper’s factory to know how it worked and made stuff for ourselves.
• Visiting the researching place of Tsukuba University.

      5. Living cost per month: Around 6 million VNĐ

      6. Advantages and disadvantages:

• Open the widen horizon, and know more about the way of Japanese’s working and thinking.
• The more approaching with the different culture the more understanding about their living.
• Improving the ability of adapting with the new environment.
• Dormitory is clean and convenient.
• Have a lot of chance to taste new and traditional Japan’s food.
• Facilities are modern and new.

2. Disadvantages:

• Almost all Japanese’s people cannot speak English.
• All of things in Japan are expensive.
• Food.

7. Conclusion:

• Money for eating outside is quite expensive thus cooking by ourselves will save money much than eating outside (around 30.000 VNĐ – 50.000 VNĐ/meal).
• The weather is cold which is in April (around 10 degree) to July, after July the temperature will be warmer but still cooler than Vietnam.
• Transportation:
• There are two selections: The first one is going by bus which cost 8600 yen per year – around 1.120.000 VNĐ. The second is buying bicycle. In my opinion, buying bicycle is the best choice because of its convenient.
• The spicy food is quite hard to find in Japan. Normally, food in Japan is quite sweet.
• In Tsukuba, earthquake sometimes occur so everyone should prepare the mental to face with it. (the earthquake isnot strong so no need to be worry)

There are some pictures which I took during my trip:

Exchange culture with Saitama’s high school students

All students in TAG/AIMS Program

A part of Tsukuba University

At last, I want to say “thank you” to Thuyloi University that gives me a chance to study in Japan. Through that trip lasted only 5 months, I had so many new, interesting experiences, knew about the way of Japanese’s working style and made friends in ASEAN community. I hope that School of International Education and Thuyloi University will create more the exchange programs to students.

Nguyen Minh Tri

Class 57NKN