What made you choose this degree programme?
It was actually a pretty spontaneous decision. First, I applied to a few universities to study psychology, and I even got some positive responses. At the same time, a friend of mine was studying Japanese at RUB, and I'd sometimes watch her do her homework. I thought it was very interesting, so I looked into it more and researched the programme. I have always enjoyed learning new languages and expressing my thoughts in new and different ways, so I saw this as a good opportunity to follow my heart and my ‘passion’ for something I enjoy. It felt like betting everything on black at the roulette table, but today I am just extremely happy and glad that I made that decision back then.
In which respect have or haven’t your expectations been fulfilled?
Of course, I expected the language courses to be demanding and challenging. This turned out to be true. You had to keep on your toes to not lose track. However, it was much more interactive than I had initially thought. Not everyone could keep up with this fast pace, which was unfortunately evident in the size of the groups after each semester.
I had the expectation, or rather the hope, that after my studies I would be able to converse with my Japanese neighbors and colleagues and also participate in discussions that interested me. I can say for myself that the language courses prepared me for this, even if in reality things don't always go as smoothly as they do in textbooks.
I was also pleasantly surprised by the cultural and historical aspects of the course material. Only then did I realise that Japanese Studies is not just a course where ‘we learn Japanese’ but ‘we learn Japan’.
Which aspect of your degree programme do you enjoy most?
What I enjoyed most was learning new grammar every week, which broadened my linguistic horizons immensely. Every time I wished I could express this or that, we learned exactly that the following week. After each new week, I was always motivated again and delighted that I could finally express a wish or a request in Japanese, for example. It really felt like being a child learning to speak and finally being able to say, ‘I'm hungry’ or ‘I don't want to do that’. Life became more colorful and exciting with new ways of expressing myself.
What has been your biggest challenge to date?
Apart from the course material and pace, my biggest challenge was the moment my plane landed in Tokyo, and I started my year abroad. It was the first time I had been so far away from the home I knew, and I was alone in this unfamiliar world. Detached from the textbook dialogues, I tried to get by with my Japanese language skills in the first few weeks, but I quickly got the hang of it. Even though there were moments when I doubted myself and the whole thing, it is still an experience that I can really recommend to everyone, because I think that this chapter of my studies was one of the most impacting for me.
What would you like to become after completing your degree?
Thanks to my combination of subjects with management and economics, I believe that I have a very good connection to the international business world. That is exactly where I want to be in the future, as a correspondent between international companies and their customers. But I also know many people, including some of my good friends, who were only able to find great jobs in the international business sector by studying Japanese studies. I am currently a working in the HR department of a large international Japanese chemical company. I communicate easily with my Japanese colleagues and am also enjoying my new working environment. After completing my studies, I am considering working as a CIR (Coordinator for International Relations) in Japan for a few years as part of the JET Programme. I had the opportunity to meet several CIRs during my stay abroad and received a lot of support from them. This would also give me the chance to gain a few years of work experience in Japan before committing to a permanent career.
Which advice would you like to give to students who consider enrolling in this degree programme?
Always keep at it, and if it doesn't work out right away, don't despair! Japanese is a very complex and nuanced language. It's not something you can just do on the side. So put enough energy into it and you will be rewarded. Also, don't stress about the standard period of study. Compared to other subjects, Japanese studies is very tightly planned and structured, which makes it very difficult to ‘individualise your study plan’. So maybe take it a little easier with your secondary subject (at least that helped me a lot).
