Meet Chris Zhang, who chose to study in Japan for one clear reason: the culture. Chris didn’t come because family was already here. The decision came from curiosity about Japan’s way of life and the desire to experience it directly, not just through travel or media.
In this interview, Chris shares what it felt like after deciding on Japan, what was harder than expected (especially language and trash recycling rules), and what advice actually helps if you’re researching how to study abroad in Japan.
1. What made you want to study in Japan, rather than your home country?
“I wanted to study in Japan because of the culture. Japan feels really different from my home country, and I wanted to experience that kind of daily life for real.”
2. How did you feel, once you had found a place to study?
“I felt relieved. Once everything was decided, it felt like the biggest stress was over.”
3. What were difficulties you encountered? How did you overcome them?
“The difficulty was trash recycling in Japan. It’s surprisingly strict and detailed, and at the beginning I didn’t understand how to separate everything or when to throw it away. I learned about it on YouTube. Watching explanations and examples helped me understand the categories and the schedule.”
4. What were the best things about studying in Japan?
“Learning a new language is one of the best parts. It’s hard, but you feel progress little by little, and that’s really satisfying.”
5. How did studying in Japan prepare you for your current life?
“It taught me to follow Japanese common rules and understand how things work here.”
“I learned how to be polite and how to act in a way that fits Japanese society. Once you understand those everyday expectations, life becomes smoother and less stressful.”
6. What are some recommendations you would give to someone who wants to study in Japan? What do you think they should know?
“I think you should study Japanese before coming to Japan. Even basic Japanese helps a lot.”
“And for listening practice, I recommend watching anime, dramas, or TV shows. It helps you get used to natural speed and common expressions, so you don’t feel shocked when you arrive.”
7. What are some final thoughts you might have regarding the experience of studying in Japan?
“It was a great experience.”
“For me, studying in Japan wasn’t only about classes. It was also about learning how to live in a different culture, adapting to new systems, and slowly getting comfortable with a new kind of daily life.”
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