1. Completion of elective courses within the curriculum for exchange students

• Water Environment Management Technology: A (1 credit)
• Water Resources Management Engineering: A (1 credit)
• Global Issues Internship: A (1 credit)
• Trans-ASEAN Global Agenda Debate: A (1 credit)
• Specialized Field Practice III: A (1 credit)
• Specialized Field Practice IV: A (1 credit)
• Specialized Field Practice V: A (1 credit)
• Specialized Field Practice VI: A (1 credit)
• Basic Global Society: A (1 credit)
• Kanji 1A: A+ (1 credit)
• International Education: B (2 credit)
• Marine Biology: B (1 credit)
• Theoretical Ecology: B (1 credit)
• Comprehensive Japanese 2A: B (4 credits)
• Economics: C (2 credits)
• Note:

• Point A+: equal to 9-10 on 10 point scale

  Point A:  equal to 8-8.9 on 10 point scale

  PointB:  equal to 7-7.9 on 10 point scale

  PointC:  equal to 6-6.9 on 10 point scale

2. Activities at Japan
2.1 Activities operating under the guidance University of Tsukuba and AIMS office

• Organizing a tour trip around University of Tsukuba before entering the school year and having lunch as well as enjoy the springtime cherry blossom with academic advisors.

1. The weekly ASEAN Café is a place for students from AIMS countries to introduce themselves and their country as well as the university where they come from. Each week is a country with careful preparation from students to bring not only knowledge but also the pride of students about their home country.
2. Visiting the Tsukuba Mountains ecological community.
3. Cultural exchange with Sakado High School students from University of Tsukuba in Saitama Prefecture and along with students visiting Kawagoe City which is called Little Edo.
4. Visiting two traditional Japanese locations: Ogawa with traditional Washi paper making and Tomioka where Japan's largest silk mill was in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

2.2 Free activities

Students have two weekends holidays and national holidays according to the Japanese holiday calendar. This is a time for students to discover more about the school where they study and the country where they live. This is also an opportunity for you to exchange learning and increase solidarity with other students in the program.

3. Living cost average:

Average monthly living expenses: 7-8 million VND (¥35000-40000)

Dormitory rental fare: ~5 million VND (¥24000)

4.Advantages and Disadvantages:

4.1. Advantages:

1. The AIMS coordinator has a dedicated and enthusiastic team to assist as well as answer questions for exchange students.
2. The mentoring team is agile, proactive to help students complete the formalities and adapt to the new living environment.
3. Student's online account system is intuitive and easy to use.
4. Living environment is safe, clean and convenience.
5. Transportation systems inside and outside the school are convenient.

4.2. Disadvantages:

1. Less major subject specificity for advanced program students.
2. The cost of living in Japan is very expensive, and there is a need for a specific expenditure plan to avoid incurring.
3. Most native speakers could not communicate in English, which is a bit difficult in everyday life.
4. Japan is a country with many natural disasters, need to carefully mental prepare as well as the equipment to respond to emergency situations at any time.

5. A few pictures of life in Tsukuba

A corner of University of Tsukuba

Tsukuba is covered with cherry blossom at April

Campus tour with TAG-AIMS friends and buddies

Cultural exchange at Senior High School at Sakado, University of Tsukuba

Construction Field Trip

Washi paper making tutorial

Asean CAFÉ Final

Through the course of studying and living in Japan, I learned and accumulated knowledge and felt the great value of studying abroad. AIMS program not only teaches students about a growing and prosperous Japan but also provides a forum for members to learn and cultivate knowledge and understanding of the countries in the ASEAN. The course is not long but it is a great time for students, especially students who are not able to find full scholarships or wondering about studying abroad to get to know the value and benefits of studying abroad. This is a step forward for academic and work development in the future and beyond to become a global citizen of the students.

I would like to thank School of International Education for creating the best conditions for me to complete my course at Tsukuba University, Japan. With the enthusiastic help of the teachers between Thuy Loi University and University of Tsukuba, I has gained invaluable experience and experience while studying at University of Tsukuba. I hope that such cooperation programs will be maintained and promoted further to create useful courses for generations to come. I promise to do my best to discuss and share the experiences I have gained from exchange student exchange in Japan.

Tuong Ngan Ha

Class 55NKN