Ms.Mpesse Messina Grace Aurelie, our former exchange student from University of Yaunde Ⅰ, who studied in Japan from September 2025 to July 2026 wrote an essay of her stay in Japan.
Please check it out!!
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Hello! My name is Mpesse Messina Grace Aurelie, and I am a master's student in Development Anthropology at the University of Yaoundé 1 in Cameroon. I recently had the incredible privilege of spending ten unforgettable months as an exchange student at the Tokyo University of Foreign Studies (TUFS), from September 2025 to August 2026.
My time in Japan has been one of the most transformative chapters of my academic and personal life. I am deeply grateful to the Croud Funding Contributors who funded my round-trip airfare from Cameroon, and to JASSO for generously sponsoring my living and education expenses. I also want to extend my heartfelt thanks to the Student Exchange Division, the International Student Support Association (ISSA), and the African Studies Center for making me feel so incredibly welcome and supported throughout my stay.
My Academic Journey: Culture, Identity, and Language
As an anthropology student, my academic interests naturally center on how people construct identity and experience culture. My coursework at TUFS allowed me to dive deep into these themes, exploring the nuances of Japanese society and cultural expression.
Of course, understanding a culture goes together with learning its language. My linguistic journey was divided into two distinct, rewarding phases:
First Semester: I took Integrated 101, which gave me a solid, structured foundation in the basics of the Japanese language.
Second Semester: I shifted my focus to interactive communication, taking dedicated Oral Communication and Japanese Listening classes to help me connect more naturally with the people around me.
Adapting to the Japanese university style was a bit of a whirlwind at first. I wasn't quite used to the weekly cadence of tests, assignments, and constant in-class participation. However, I quickly grew to love this dynamic style of learning. Having to constantly practice sentence patterns and speak with my peers and Sensei built my confidence rapidly. The best part was stepping outside the classroom and realizing I could hold conversations with people in local shops and on the streets of Tokyo! Fors future anthropologist, being able to engage with a community in their own language was an incredibly fulfilling milestone.
Life in Tokyo: Connections and Culture
Beyond the classroom, my social life was filled with warmth, discovery, and laughter. I was fortunate to meet so many kind-hearted Japanese students who went out of their way to make Tokyo feel like home. Together, we explored historic treasures like the beautiful Senso-ji Temple in Asakusa, and I was lucky enough to witness the breathtaking cherry blossoms painting the city pink during the early spring.
Food also became a wonderful medium for friendship. Sharing my very first bites of Japanese cuisine with a diverse group of Japanese, international, and fellow African students is a memory I will always cherish.
Navigating the Challenges
Naturally, moving across the world came with its share of hurdles. Adjusting to the unspoken social etiquette of Tokyo--like learning the quiet, orderly ways people queue at train stations, shops, and museums took some careful observation.
Navigating Japan's advanced technology, especially when the interfaces were entirely in Japanese, was a daily test of patience! And, like almost every newcomer to Tokyo, I found the massive, sprawling railway system incredibly intimidating to navigate alone at first. Yet, looking back, these challenges were exactly what helped me grow. They pushed me to think on my feet, become more independent, and find creative ways to solve problems.
My admiration for Japanese culture and language has only deepened through this experience. As I return to Cameroon, I am excited to bring the unique perspectives, academic insights, and personal resilience I developed at TUFS back to my country, University of Yaoundé 1.
Thank you for everything.
