Student Voice: Unique Discoveries – Lena MITTELMANN, Sciences Po Lille, France

Lena MITTELMANN from Sciences Po Lille, France is participating in our exchange program for Fall 2024. We would like to introduce her experience at AIU.

　When I chose to study for one year at AIU, I had high expectations. I wanted to live in a peaceful place, to meet Japanese students, and to discover Japanese culture far from the most touristic places. The least I can say is that I wasn’t disappointed.

　The campus is located in the middle of nowhere (but don’t worry, there are buses!) which allows us to live surrounded by beautiful landscapes.

　The fact that the University is not inside the city but outside creates, in my opinion, even stronger friendships with the people we meet here. Everyone is always together, and you can have very close Japanese friends, which is a wonderful way to get to know more about Japan and its culture. This is possible because it is an international university where everyone communicates in English.

Visiting Namahage Museum with Friends during the bus trip to Oga Peninsula organized by AIU

With Friends in front of Yojiro Inari Shrine Gate at Senshu Park, Akita City

　The thing I would recommend to everyone is to dare to try new things. Dare talking to every person you meet (they will be very happy and you can become friends), dare to participate in activities such as outreach activities which are very unique experiences, dare to join clubs.

　I decided to join the Kantô club; thanks to that, I have met lots of students (especially Japanese students) and learned more about this local tradition.

Front gate of Kubota Castle at Senshu Park, Akita City

　There are so many opportunities to learn more about Japan thanks to AIU classes (especially in the Japan Studies Department), thanks to bus trips, by taking trips on your own (Hirosaki, Aomori was a particular beautiful place to visit), and through the encounters you have with others.

　I would conclude by saying that I love this place and I would not trade this experience for anything because there are so many wonderful people to meet here, so many places to travel to, and so many things to learn about yourself and the world around you.

Léna MITTELMANN