I prepared by talking directly to former exchange students

I am studying political science at Keio University in Japan , focusing on the modern history of Japan and Germany. I had never been abroad before, so when I decided to study abroad in Germany, I chose the University of Bonn as my study abroad destination because of the generous support of the International Office.

There were students from my university who had been sent to the University of Bonn in the past, so I prepared by talking directly with them and sharing information with students who would be studying in Germany at the same time.

The student dormitory that I was introduced to by the University of Bonn was comfortable and welcoming.

The university had many classes offered in English. I took many seminar-style classes from the regular university course catalog as well as German language classes. I was able to have positive interactions with students from the University of Bonn and international students from other countries. The classes at the University of Bonn were a shock to me because my Japanese university does not have such an international flavor to its classes. In my free time I visited museums all over Germany. I also traveled with friends I made in Bonn.

I have learned a lot living abroad as a foreigner for the past year. Although I felt more anxiety than I had imagined about living as a minority, with the support of the warm people I met in Bonn, I was able to deepen my own research and gain insights based on comparisons with Japan.