In-depth discussion held on environmental issues with young people from EU countries during my two weeks stay in Denmark
■Name：Yukina Takagi
■Year/Faculty/Department (at the time of study abroad): 3rd year, Faculty of Economics Department of Economics,
■Period of study abroad: Sep 14 to Sep 23, 2023
■Destination : Denmark
■Type of Study Abroad: Practical study "Estonia Study Tour”
Every year, many Sophia University students study abroad in countries all over the world outside of Japan. How did they manage to find their way through the differences in languages, cultures, and lifestyles? Here are some voices of students who studied abroad.
What made you decide to participate in the program?
One of the reasons I wanted to study at Sophia University was to learn about the SDGs /sustainability in depth. I was also attracted by the university offered many opportunities for studying abroad, since I have always wanted to study in Europe, environmentally advanced region, while I was still a college student. I was keen on participating the Baltic Sea Project 2023 (BSP), which takes place in Denmark, the country highly committed in addressing environmental issues, in order to exchange views on sustainability with fellow students.
Did you have any concerns before studying abroad?
Participants for this program included students from Japan, Poland, Finland, Estonia, Germany, Estonia, and Denmark. So, I was concerned about my language skills, as it was essential to exchange views and to learn as much with them.
What did you do to prepare for your study abroad program and what do you wish you had done?
I made sure to have a good understanding of the participating countries prior to joining the program. On the other hand, I lacked sufficient knowledge about my own country, Japan, and some of the questions asked by those with interest were hard for me to give clear answers to due to my limited knowledge. I wish I was more prepared so that I could share information about Japan with more confidence, as to Japanese tourist attractions or my favorite aspects.
What was the atmosphere like at the university and among the students?
I participated in the Baltic Sea Project 2023 (BSP), which was held in Åro, Denmark. We stayed in outdoor tents, and the six of us from Japan used one of them together. 3 showers, toilets, and running water were shared by about 30 participants. The kitchen staff prepared delicious food for every meal.
How did you expand your circle of friends?
I tried to talk to as many participants as possible and to learn the language of each country so that I could include them in our conversations. We recommended to each other favorite spots and food of our home countries and promised that I would show them around when they visited Japan, in return my friends would show them around when I visited their countries, Poland, Finland, Estonia, Germany, Estonia, or Denmark.
How were the classes, learning contents, and exams different from those in Japan?
In this program, students worked in groups to discuss various environmental issues of interest, exchanged views, conducted interviews, summarized their findings, and gave presentations on the final day of the program. Therefore, the emphasis was on students playing a central role in their own learning.
Tell us about the charms of your study abroad destination, and any new discoveries you made.
Watching the beautiful sunsets and sunrises, going to the nearby ocean to pick up seashells, and watching the stars while baking bread over an open fire were some of the most peaceful and relaxing moments, I enjoyed during the two weeks I was there, as I felt the closest to nature that I have ever been.
What was the most striking event or shocking moment for you?
I was very impressed by the fact that all the participants from each country had their own opinions and shared them with confidence. While Japanese participants were university students, the rest were junior and high school students from other countries. It was truly inspiring hearing the younger students talk about their future with a sparkle in their eyes, and their earnest attitude toward learning was moving as well.
What were some of the troubles or challenges you faced during your study abroad? How did you overcome them?
There were a lot of insects because it was a campsite. At first, I was a bit intimidated by the number of unfamiliar insects, but as the days went by, I gradually got used to them. I took precautions by applying insect repellent to my entire sleeping bag before going to bed or making sure to tightly seal and dispose of any trash containing snacks.
Comparing before and after your study abroad, in what ways have you grown or changed as to your mindset?
I feel that I am now more willing to take on new challenges without fear of failure. While engaging with friends from countries I don’t usually have the opportunity to interact with, I valued my challenging spirit which allowed me to try things that were new to me, and to be more open to new ideas! I am now more eager and curious than ever before with a positive attitude.
What would you say to someone who is wondering whether or not to go on study abroad?
I am very glad that I participated in this Estonia Study Tour. Being involved with participants from all over the world, I was so excited throughout the camp with all sorts of new discoveries and learnings. I am keeping in touch with all my friends from other countries, and I am looking forward to seeing them again. In addition, my Japanese friends whom I shared two weeks of camping life with were truly supportive, and they are indeed like a family for me. I sincerely hope that you will have the courage to take a step forward as you read this, and that you may consider joining the program filled with valuable encounters and experiences.