International Student No.01Student Interview

Vesna DROFENIK, University of Ljubljana
Slovenia
April 2016 – August 2016 (Spring/Summer semester)

I always wanted to visit Japan ever since I was a little girl. My father used to go to Japan on business trips, and he would always bring me souvenirs. I finally got the chance to go when my university started offering HUE and two other schools in Tokyo and Akita. I chose HUE because although I was also interested in Tokyo, I really wanted to visit and live in Hiroshima since I've always loved reading about world history. I knew nothing about present day of Hiroshima and I was curious to see how it was rebuilt. The fact that life in Hiroshima is much more affordable than in Tokyo also helped. I was impressed by HUE's STEP program and the courses offered, since I had decided to write my bachelor's thesis about Japan.

My life at HUE was great from the first day I arrived in Japan. I can say that I really experienced the proverbial Japanese hospitality! I didn't know a lot of Japanese, so I was really grateful for the assistance offered by HUE students in settling in Japan. I was able to practice my teaching skills in the English Language Hour and by tutoring a few students in English. The HUE students organised a lovely party with a delicious dinner at HUE's seminar house on Miyajima island. I'm happy to say that I have made a few friends, both Japanese and from other countries, that I know I will keep for life. I really enjoyed the classes at HUE as well, because I was really able to gain a wholesome understanding of the Japanese society and doing business in Japan.

I was lucky to arrive in Hiroshima in early April, so I was able to enjoy viewing cherry blossom! I also loved visiting Miyajima island and Itsukushima shrine. I found people in Hiroshima to be very kind and respectful, and I really felt comfortable and safe living there. One of my favourite experiences was the Toukasan festival and being able to wear a "yukata", even though it rained all day! There are also many options for having fun and going out – karaoke, salsa bars, jazz clubs, great restaurants...

My semester at HUE was also my final semester of my bachelor's studies, so I am graduating within the next few weeks. I've already started working as a manager of a coworking space in my hometown of Ljubljana, Slovenia (http://accelerationbusinesscity.com/). I had already worked as an intern at the head office of the same company, ABC Accelerator (https://abc-accelerator.com/), before my exchange. In the future, I would like to eventually continue my studies after gaining some managerial experience. My thesis advisor was very impressed with the work I did at HUE, and she has suggested I think about starting an academic career at my home university.