Hello everyone,
I’m currently studying international business in the Netherlands, and I’ll soon have to decide where to go for my exchange semester. I need to rank my preferences, and I’m struggling a bit with the options. For Japan, I can choose between Toyo University in Tokyo, Saitama University (just outside Tokyo), and Kindai University in Osaka. I don’t speak any Japanese, so I’ll be relying on courses in English and hoping to get by in daily life as best as I can.
I’m curious about the biggest differences between these three universities and the cities they’re in not just in terms of academics, but also daily life, atmosphere, cost of living, and how easy or difficult it is to live there without speaking Japanese. I’ve heard Tokyo is very fast-paced, Osaka is a bit more relaxed and friendly, and Saitama offers something in between. I’d really appreciate hearing from anyone who studied at any of these schools, especially in business or similar fields.
To make things even harder, I also have the option to go to Seoul (South Korea), Bangkok (Thailand), somewhere in Malaysia, or Hong Kong. If anyone has done an exchange in one of these places and can share what the experience was like, especially for someone studying business without the local language. I’d love to hear your thoughts. Any advice or personal insights would help a lot in making my final decision.
It’s not so much about the prestige of the university, but more about the overall experience.
Thanks in advance!
by fetterhead1234