Fuka Sugure（2024年度OAS参加）
多くの留学帰国者が彼らの外国でのきらめいた思い出を語るように、私のサセックスでの経験も、日本以上に多様性に満ちた環境に身を置き、勉強に打ち込んだり友達と楽しい時間を過ごしたりなどの大切な思い出を作ることができた、素晴らしい機会になりました。
O A S参加希望者の方には、サセックス大学をぜひおすすめします！理由は主に二つあり、最高の設備と人々の魅力です。一つ目の設備に関しては、イギリスの田舎のため、大自然の中で、木々やリスなどの野生動物たちに囲まれて過ごせます。また、毎日24時間開館している図書館では、期末試験期間、丸一日図書館で過ごしたことも印象深い思い出です。加えて、いつも賑わうバーや落ち着くカフェなど、生徒のための様々な交流場所の数々など、法政大学とは対照的なキャンパスライフを送ることができます。
二つ目は、友だちや教授たちや他のスタッフの方々全員の優しさです。何時でも質問や困りごとには笑顔で助けてくれた体験が今でも心に残っています。中にはとても嬉しくなるような言葉をかけてくれた方もいて、コミュニティのあたたかさに心を打たれました。
もちろん、一人で生活することや、イギリスと日本の時差など、今回の留学につき困難もありました。しかし、同時にこれらのことが私に自立の大切さを教えてくれたように、どんな経験でも自身の成長につながっていると私は考えます。OASでのサセックス大学への留学は、私にとって今後に活きる非常に有意義なものとなりました。
Like many returnees who come back from studying abroad to tell of novel, delightful experiences in a foreign country, my time at Sussex was also a wonderful opportunity for me to live in a place that has such rich diversity. It was also a chance to make many precious memories of both intense study and joyful activities after classes had finished.
I would definitely encourage anyone who is thinking about going on the OAS program to go to the University of Sussex. There are two main reasons for this: Sussex University has absolutely amazing facilities and the people there are so friendly. For the facilities, the campus is beautiful and filled with nature. You are literally surrounded by trees and greeted by little wild animals like squirrels. Also, for me, I really liked the university library which is open 24/7, and in which I once spent nearly 24 hours during the assessment period. There are also plenty of spaces for socializing, such as vibrant student bars and cozy cafes.
As I mentioned, the other aspect is the people. I don’t just mean friends, but also the professors and office staff, who are so welcoming and warm-hearted. I still particularly remember two ladies at the student centre who had kindly helped me when I was having payment issues. One of them patiently guided me step by step, while the other woman gave me such an uplifting compliment when I was feeling overwhelmed.
I did have challenges, and for me personally I found it stressful to manage my studies and daily life, while the time difference with Japan is rather large. However, I believe every aspect of the experience of studying abroad can contribute to your growth, and my experience taught me the importance of being independent.