Student Voice: My great online exchange as an AIU student －Benjamin RENZI, University Toulouse – Jean Jaures, France

Benjamin RENZI, University Toulouse – Jean Jaures, France, is an exchange student studying online in Fall 2021 Semester. We would like to introduce his experience at AIU.

Mr. Benjamin RENZI

When I heard that I could go to Japan for international exchange, I was very excited. I knew this will be a very good opportunity to improve my Japanese skills and to experiment with a lot of new and exciting things. When I checked which university I could go to, AIU immediately caught my attention. I went to Japan with friends in September 2019 and I visited the most iconic cities of Japan: Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka. But I wanted to see another aspect of the Japanese archipelago. The landscape of Akita seems very beautiful with all the mountains surrounding it, it reminds me, a bit, the landscape of my hometown, Cournon d’Auvergne, France.

The landscape from his window, Puy de Dôme, France.

Unfortunately, due to the pandemic situation, I couldn’t participate in person and I had to take online courses. I have to admit that at the beginning, I was worried to spend a whole semester online especially because of the time difference (8 hours in France!). But in the end, I am very happy I have accepted. The online Japanese courses have an arranged schedule so I was able to take course in the morning then I had time in the afternoon to study. Besides, the teachers and the AIU staff members are very kind. They know that the situation is difficult but they make their best to make sure we enjoy courses and learn a lot. This help me to keep motivated and I was able to make huge progress in Japanese.

Of course, it is a bit hard to find the motivation to participate in activities online, but if I can go to Japan for the next semester I will certainly participate actively in extracurricular activities. Anyway, I am very happy with my choice to become a student at AIU and I plan to visit the region of Akita, as a student or a simple traveler, because, even online, I understood how beautiful the region is and how lovely the people are!