Profile
- Name: Radhika
- Home Country: / From: India
- Studied in: Osaka Prefecture
- Exchange Year: 2024-2025
- What I’m Doing Now: Currently in High School
Interview
What I Gained from Studying Abroad:
Living alone in Japan taught me true adaptability. From cooking and laundry to managing groceries, I learned to handle daily life completely on my own—something I had never done before. By the end of my exchange, my guide proudly told me, “Now that you’ve completed this, I’m sure you can live alone anywhere.”
But the deeper lesson my exchange taught me is that nothing lasts forever, so we should cherish the present moment. Even though I’m now back home and living a quiet life of homeschooling, I cherish these days because I know this time won’t last forever either. Someday, I’m sure I’ll look back and miss these days. My exchange taught me to notice the little joys in every moment and never take them for granted.
Advice for Future Students: / A Message for You:
Here is some advice, both serious and lighthearted, that I truly hope will help make your exchange more fulfilling.
On School Life
Japanese high schools are pretty strict, so my first tip is: never be late, not even by a minute. Always take a train or bus that gets you to school at least 7 minutes early. This not only keeps you safe from being marked late but also gives you a nice moment to greet your friends with an “ohayou!” before class. Also, always have the correct textbooks on your desk. It can be confusing with so many subjects, so don’t hesitate to ask your friends or teachers for help. I once got in trouble for this, and I learned it’s always better to seek help before a small problem gets bigger.
On Friendships
This brings me to an important tip: try not to rely on your friends for every small thing. Of course, they are there to support you, but whenever possible, try asking your teachers or solving things on your own first. This gives you more time to enjoy fun and meaningful moments with your friends—sharing cultures and laughing together—instead of always asking for help. Finding this balance helped me build truly strong friendships.
On Daily Living
Be mindful of noise—dorm walls in Japan can be very thin! Whether you’re in a dorm or with a host family, avoid speaking loudly on the phone. The same goes for music or videos; always use headphones, especially at night. Being respectful with sound is very important in Japanese living spaces.
On Making the Most of Your Time There will be days when you have no plans with friends. Don’t feel sad. Take it as a chance to slow down and enjoy some quiet time alone. Or, use it as an opportunity to explore. Visit that café you’ve always wanted to see. Don’t wait for someone to go with you. In the end, you won’t regret the places you visited alone; you’ll only regret the ones you never visited at all.
My last tip is about souvenirs. When my exchange was ending, I bought different flavors of KitKats, like a typical tourist. But you are not a tourist. You will have your real favorite snacks that you eat almost every day. When it’s time to leave, bring back those snacks. Once you’re home, you’ll miss them more than you think. And when you eat them again, all the beautiful memories will return.
A Final Thank You
I want to give my deepest thanks to my exchange guide—the person who made my entire journey possible. I came to Japan without any tips or blogs to read, but she was there for me at every step. The reason I can share this advice with you is because she once helped me in the same way. Now that you have this website, filled with support, please make the most of it. If you follow these tips with an open heart, I promise your exchange will become one of the most unforgettable chapters of your life.
My Trail on TTJ
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