Reyna and Gwen
We are Reyna and Gwen, two students from the Philippines who had the opportunity to spend one semester at Jissen Women’s University. Coming to Japan for the first time naturally came with a few worries, but we were mostly excited for what awaited us. Looking back, our time at Jissen was everything we had hoped for and more. From the moment we arrived, we felt welcomed, supported, and well taken care of, allowing us to fully enjoy our four months in Japan.
The teachers and staff were incredibly kind, accommodating, and attentive throughout our stay. Our classes at both the Hino and Shibuya campuses were enjoyable and meaningful. Our Japanese classes not only helped us become more confident in using Japanese through engaging activities and conversations, but also taught us so much about Japan, its people, and its culture. Our English classes were equally fun and meaningful, giving us lessons and perspectives that we know will remain useful beyond our time at Jissen. Beyond the classroom, interacting with Japanese people in our everyday lives also gave us opportunities to put what we learned into practice.
We were also grateful for the many opportunities Jissen gave us to experience university life, from the Global Lounge and language tutoring to various student activities and events. These experiences allowed us to meet new people, try new things, and feel that we were truly part of the Jissen community.
Our four months at Jissen gave us far more than what we came to Japan for. We learned, made friends, experienced a different culture, and created memories that we will carry with us for a long time. Words cannot fully express how thankful we are to Jissen Women’s University, its teachers, staff, and students for welcoming us so warmly. We may have only been part of the community for one semester, but it is an experience we will never take for granted, and a part of our lives we will always carry with us.
