Hi! I've been planning my year abroad from my home uni in the UK and have narrowed down my top choice to UTokyo or ICU, and was hoping for some advice as to which would give me a better overall experience and meet my needs.
On top of that, I have to put down a third choice, and am hesitating between Kyoto and Kyushu. Could anyone please advise me?
Here's some info that might help:
– I would like to make Japanese friends who are familiar with Toyko and the style of life;
– I study maths and would be continuing that to some degree at the host university;
– Wherever possible I would like to intensively study Japanese and be fluent by the time I leave;
– I am not much of a party animal but want close friendships and to explore as much as possible;
– I like having my own space, including places to clear my head (often in nature);
– Having access to good food is important to me;
– I also play the violin, speak French/German, enjoy sports like tennis/handball;
– I want to open myself up to as many new experiences as possible, and not be held up by social boundaries.
Further questions:
1) Am I right in that if I reached JPLT N1 during my first semester at UTokyo, I could attend lectures in Japanese in the second? Is there something similar at ICU?
2) Does Tokyo feel too big sometimes? (I live in the countryside).
3) Is Tokyo too International/English-focussed to properly immerse myself in Japanese?
4) Is it true that Kyoto is not very good for exchange students?
5) Is it still possible to make time to travel and explore at UTokyo?
6) Is UTokyo or ICU more welcoming in terms of actual clubs? (The intense type. I would like to do a sport or potentially music, but I imagine you have to be super super good to play in an orchestra).
7) Are UTokyo Japanese students open to becoming friends with foreigners?
8) How dangerous is cycling around Tokyo or Kyoto?
Answers to any of these questions would be massively appreciated, thank you so much.
by SGHERO19