Bridges Built

One the greatest gains I think I received from studying at Nanzan was the lasting friendships of both local and fellow foreign students. The University's Center for Japanese Studies (CJS) hosts students from a wide variety of other countries, and there's no bond like the one forged from learning a common language, and the amazement that that language is a somewhat unexpected bridge. I would not only communicate to Japanese students in Japanese, but also to mainland European comrades who did not speak English very well. The multi-cultural exchange was as entertaining as it was illuminating, and I don't think I could have picked a better program for my needs. Apart from extensive improvement in my language skills, I gained greater insight into the daily life and culture of Japan, and the cultures of my fellow foreign students. I found it easier to interact with local residents the more my language skills improved, and my confidence improved greatly. I gained many friends from, not just Japan, but around the world, because of this experience, and I will never forget it.