So what exactly does the PR team do? We ask two of its members to tell us a little more!

Profile

Radesa Guntur Budipramono is a student at Ritsumeikan University, where he studies in the International Studies Department. He is originally from Indonesia.

Q: How did you come to join the PR team?

A: I came across some information about it online by chance, so I decided to sign up on a whim and got accepted. (laughs)

Q: What do you think you’ve found to be significant about living in a foreign country—Japan, or elsewhere?

A: I think it’s really valuable to experience what it’s like to be a minority. Living as a minority in a foreign country has helped me to grow, and helped me to understand things that I never would living as a member of the majority in Indonesia.

Q: How did you find information about studying abroad in Japan?

A: I was looking for scholarships when I came across some information about scholarship schemes for studying abroad in Japan.

Q: What do you typically do as a part of the PR Team?

A: Mostly I just do typical sightseeing around Kyoto, take photos, and then put them together for posts on social media to send out some Kyoto magic!

Radesa going to great lengths to take photos for his PR Team posts.

Q: What have you enjoyed the most about being part of the PR Team?

A: I like that I can continue to do the things I love for work!

Q: How can others join the PR Team?

A: I think the real meaning of studying abroad is found in actually going out, going around and exploring, and meeting lots of different people. I don’t think you can fully understand what makes Kyoto great through studying—you really need to go out and experience it. You should definitely join the PR Team if you’re confident that you can put your experience into use and tell the world how wonderful Kyoto is!

Q: What’s something you’d like to do as part of the PR Team, or something you’d like others on the PR Team to do?

A: I’d like for them to use us for more events—city events or simple meet-and-greet exchange parties—that sort of thing. As far as my fellow members go, I’d just like them to continue to spread the word about what an awesome city Kyoto is!

Radesa out enjoying the snow while taking pictures for his posts.

Q: Could you share a message for other students who want to join the PR Team?

A: Please join us, and keep posting a bunch of interesting stuff about Kyoto!

Profile

Hyejin Namgung is from Korea, and she currently studies in the Agriculture Division at Kyoto University.

Q: How did you come to join the PR team?

A: I found out about the PR team through the Kyoto Prefecture Friendship Ambassador program, which I’m a member of. Since the PR team is also about promoting Kyoto Prefecture, I thought this would be a great opportunity.

Click here for more about the Kyoto Prefecture Friendship Ambassador Program.

Q: What do you think you’ve found to be significant about living in a foreign country—Japan, or elsewhere?

A: There are a lot of things that I took for granted that aren’t considered obvious here. So many times, I had to learn not to immediately disagree, and to think carefully about why their thinking would be different, so that I could understand it. I think living in a foreign culture and experiencing that on a daily basis really helps to open your mind and make your thinking more flexible.

Q: How did you find information about studying abroad in Japan?

A: When I was in high school, I found out about the JASSO Japan-Korea Cooperative Sciences Study Abroad Program, and that was what sparked my interest. I’d been studying Japanese as my second language, so I’d been interested in Japan for a while. My favorite teacher had studied abroad in Japan before, too.

Q: What do you typically do as a part of the PR Team?

A: I come to Campus Plaza Kyoto every week and write articles about study abroad or culture in Kyoto.

Q: What have you enjoyed the most about being part of the PR Team?

A: I like that we’re free to choose the themes of our articles, so each writer’s unique voice and perspective shows. Aside from the articles, there are also some really interesting projects that I get to take part in, like visiting beautiful old Kyoto machi-ya (traditional house) to do interviews.

Q: How can others join the PR team?

A: Since we’re all international students, a lot of the PR team members will go back to their home countries or graduate and go on to work, so openings do come up. Try applying! If you have good Japanese language ability and you’re interested in telling the world about Kyoto, I think you have a great chance.

Q: What’s something you’d like to do as part of the PR Team, or something you’d like others on the PR Team to do?

A: I’d like to try using Instagram more. It’s come up in meetings before, but we haven’t really gotten around to using it properly. I’d like to set up a rule where we all post one photo a week.

I want to do a piece on relay races at universities in Kyoto Prefecture and at Japanese language schools, too!

Q: Could you share a message for other students who want to join the PR Team?

A: For me, the PR team was a great chance to find out more about Kyoto—I started to read the news more, and my interest in Kyoto really grew. If you’re studying in Kyoto, I think it’s a wonderful chance to tell more people about what makes it interesting and unique!