NUCB Insight
Many thanks to Kaja Dahl Svarva (from Norway) and Ida Lehtinen (from Finland) for agreeing to be interviewed by NUCB on their exchange experiences. They told us about their time in Japan, why they came to study here, and what made the biggest impression on them…
NUCB: Thanks for the interview, I know you’ve got exams later today! So, first question - why did you choose NUCB for your exchange program?
Ida: I had an interest in studying Japanese business but didn’t want to go to Tokyo – it’s just too big! Nagoya is a great location to study in, plus the cost of living is lower than Tokyo. The Nisshin campus is in a great location too. This was my first time in Asia, and I think that many people outside of the region don’t know the real culture of Japan – you need to actually be here to experience it properly.
Kaja: I didn’t plan to come to Japan specifically, but somehow I did! I’m glad I came though, it’s worked out really well. In preparation for my time here I studied Japanese language for about four months at home, which really helped. I also didn’t want to go to Tokyo for the same reasons; it’s too big and crowded. Nagoya is perfect - it’s smaller than Tokyo but still has all the excitement of being an important city.
NUCB: Glad to hear it! Sadly you’re coming to the end of your time with us here though. What will be the best experience that you will take away with you?
Kaja: For me, it will be meeting the Japanese students here and making new friends. It was really easy – starting with the party on the introduction day, through class, and so on. Once, four of us had a birthday over the same couple of days, so some of my Japanese friends arranged a birthday party for us – and 70 students came!
Ida: I’ll remember the great politeness of everyone I met here. In Japan in general, the service is amazing wherever you go, and people seem to have a high morale at work whatever they do. I think I can really learn from this.
NUCB: Sounds like Japanese student life and wider society has made a pretty good impression on you. But of course – you’re studying business management, so I’m sure you must be thinking about your future careers. Do you think that your time studying at NUCB will help your employment prospects?
Ida: Yes! I’ll be different from most of my peers – I’ll have interesting international experience, and from Japan specifically, which is not so common.
Kaja: I agree – as Japan is not such a common destination for somebody from Europe to go and study, this is a good thing for my career prospects as I now have that experience. Also, the fact that I came here has led me to have more faith in myself. I made this happen, and my confidence has really grown because of it.
NUCB: Fantastic, and we wish you all the very best in your future careers. Now, many people who have perhaps not been to Japan have images of strange and interesting things in shops and in the culture. Did anything take you by surprise?
Kaja: The bowing - although I’d heard about it, I didn’t know quite how prevalent it actually is! Also that you can buy sandwiches for only 200 yen.
Ida: For me, finding beans in sweets, tea chocolate, and even wasabi chocolate.
NUCB: Nice! Not sure about the wasabi chocolate though… So – can we hope to see you back in Japan again after you’ve finished your studies?
Kaja: Yes! It was great fun – I’ll be back!
Ida: Definitely – I still want to go to hiking in Hokkaido, and hang out with snow monkeys in an onsen.
NUCB: Look forward to seeing you then. Thanks very much for talking to us, and good luck with the exams!
posted by Mike Hugh
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