When choosing a city to study in Japan, my priority was the major that I wanted to study. Kyoto University of the Arts was one of the few universities in Japan where you can study film production. Film is a complex artwork. Kyoto is a city with a long history and full of Japanese traditional culture – which makes it very complex as well. So, back then, I thought studying in Kyoto was like killing two birds with one stone. You know, making movies in Kyoto while experiencing Japanese culture.

I studied film at university.

My image of Kyoto was that it was a famous tourist destination with a long history where Japanese traditional culture has been passed down.

After I moved and settled in Kyoto, I realized that Kyoto has a very young and hip vibe. Kyoto is, in fact, known as a university town full of young people and is home to world-recognized, cutting-edge tech companies.

Before coming to Japan, I had no Japanese skills, no friends or acquaintances in Japan, and I didn’t know anything about Japan at all. When you find yourself living in a place where you are total stranger, anxiousness is natural. I was no exception. For instance, I was worried about how to rent an apartment and what my daily life would be like because I had no idea.

Four years have gone by since I came to Kyoto, and fortunately, I’ve made so many friends at university. In the beginning, I thought that I would graduate without having made any friends through school. However, probably because a lot of my classmates were very sociable Kansai people, I made so many cherished memories through making movies and hanging out with them.

I struggled with improving my communication skills on the film set.

In Kyoto, it’s easy to concentrate on your studies. It has a very calm environment which is perfect for studying. I really love taking a walk along/around the Kamo River and relaxing when I’m tired.

For me, studying abroad is something that helps you find yourself and grow. How do you deal with people in an unfamiliar environment, how do you overcome difficulties by yourself, and how do you manage your stress? Through studying abroad, you have to face all of these things on your own. It is not just about acquiring knowledge and skills in a foreign country. I think that this experience of studying in Kyoto will be my greatest advantage in any field in the future because it helped me enhance my abilities holistically.

For me, studying abroad is something that helps you to find yourself and to grow. How do you deal with people in an unfamiliar environment, how do you overcome difficulties by yourself, and how do you adjust your stress? Through studying abroad, you have to face all of them on your own. It is not just about acquiring knowledge and skills in a foreign country. I think that this experience of studying in Kyoto will be my great advantage in any field in the future because it helped me to enhance my ability holistically.

To keep shooting films.

Kyoto is not only a place where you can concentrate on your studies, but also a town where you can enjoy the four seasons of Japan. When you are tired of studying, I recommend that you take a leisurely stroll around the town while experiencing the seasons. For example, “Philosopher’s Path” (Tetsugakuno-Michi) in the Spring, the Kamo River in the Summer, Manshu-in Temple and Shisen-do Temple in the Autumn, and Kinkaku-ji Temple on a snowy day in the Winter. The beauty of Japan is all right here in your daily life in Kyoto. Kyoto is a really wonderful place, so please do not miss the chance to experience it.