In 2017, I spent several months in Japan as part of my student exchange at the University of Rikkyo. In the past, I had studied for a semester in England. However, this particular experience in the land of the rising sun was truly a unique one from beginning to end. That’s why I decided to dedicate some posts about my exchange and life in the bustling city known as Tokyo.
The nightlife
Tokyo is similar to New-York, it’s a city that never sleeps ✨ You will always find something to get busy for a #TokyoByNight. When I was going out, I was generally going to Shinjuku, Shibuya or Roppongi. Remember this post where I explained that my dorm curfew was at midnight. Well, the last trains for my dorm were quite at the same time. The cabs being too expensive, sometimes my only option left was to “spend the night out” (sorry mama 🙈). In that case, I would go dancing, breaking my voice at a karaoke 😂, enjoying an onsen*, playing at a Game Center 🤓, doing a night picnic or simply loosing myself in the streets of Tokyo.
The pro of doing a #TokyoByNight (classier than “spending the night out” 😂) is to watch the sunrise 😍. It’s part of the things to do during your stay. A big plus if you manage to find a place where you can see Mount Fuji at the same time.
The end of the semester
The university gradually reminded me that the semester was ending by asking for example when I was flying back home 😑. It’s the sponsor for all the international students so it need to be sure that we wouldn’t stay illegaly in Japan after our semester.
Regarding the paper works, the return will be the same as the beginning: a lot of documents to fill in and an appointment at the prefecture.
I value a lot the things that are part of my trips 🙈. That’s why I had planned to go back home with my student card as a souvenir from my semester. Except that after “forgeting” to bring it back 😇, I was called to order 😂 and warned that I would not get my transcript if I didn’t give it back. It was the same with the other documents (university insurance, transport license…). So I had no choice than to give back everything and go back to France as I came, which means with nothing 😂.
The end of the semester is synonymous of goodbyes to the other students 😪. Of course, nowadays it’s easier to stay in touch. However you will always feel a twinge of sadness while saying goodbye because you never know when/if you will see them again…
Mid-July, I was done with my exams and was officially on vacation 😎. My flight back to France was on July 31st. So I had a few days before leaving Japan and ended up being a camp captain 😅. I tell you all here.
Love to see this every day !
Hi there, I’m sure you’ll love it 😀