Asuka Eguchi（2024年度OAS参加）
高校生の頃から大学在学中に必ず留学をしたいと考えていました。私がOASを選んだ理由は主に二つあります。一つ目は、留学先としてサセックス大学が選択できたからです。もともと開発学に興味があり、特にこの分野で評価の高いサセックス大学で学びたいと考えていました。二つ目は、大学二年生の時点で留学をしたいと考えていたからです。留学を通じて将来について深く考えるきっかけを得たいと思っていたため、二年次から留学できるOASは理想的な選択でした。
実際にサセックス大学での生活はとても充実していました。キャンパスは自然に囲まれた美しい環境にあり、国際色も豊かでさまざまな国の友達ができました。授業ではディスカッションが多く、他の学生の意見を聞くたびに新たな視点を得ることができました。課題の量は多く、難しいものもありましたが英語力の向上と開発学の知識を増やすとても良い機会になったと思います。勉強以外の時間ではランニングをして気分転換をしていました。ランニングクラブに参加していたのでブライトンの海辺や公園をみんなと話しながら走ったのはとても良い思い出です。
Since high school I had thought that I would like to study abroad during my college years. There are mainly two reasons why I chose OAS. First, I could select the University of Sussex as my destination for my overseas studies. I have been interested in development studies, so I wanted to study at the University of Sussex, which has a high reputation in this field. Second, OAS allows students to study abroad from the second year. I wanted to take advantage of this early opportunity to gain international experience and reflect on my future.
My experience at the University of Sussex was amazing. The campus, with its beautiful natural surroundings, has a diverse social environment, which allowed me to make friends from all over the world. In my classes, there were many opportunities for discussion. The opinions of other students always provided me with new perspectives. There were a lot of assignments, some of which were difficult, but they were a great opportunity to improve my English skills and deepen my knowledge of development studies. Besides studying, I enjoyed running to recharge my energy. I joined the university running club. Running along the seaside and through the parks in Brighton while chatting with friends remains one of my most cherished memories.
Suzuka Ito（2024年度OAS参加）
私は小中学生の頃イギリスで生活していたことがあります。生活していく中で、イギリスでも旅行先でもたびたび貧富の差を感じる場面があり、イギリスは先進国であるにも関わらず、貧困率が高い事に疑問を持ち始めていました。そのような中、OASでの留学先の中に開発学で有名なサセックス大学があることを知り留学を希望しました。
大学では開発学とビジネス系の授業を専攻し、様々な背景や考えをもった学生と議論し見識を広げることができました。また、大学には多くのソサエティがあり、友人を作る事が出来ます。私は、language cafeという場所で日本語を教えるボランティアに参加し、日本や日本語に興味を持った学生とも知り合う事ができ、有意義な時間を過ごせました。
サセックス大学は草木が茂った広大なキャンパスに図書館やジム、カフェ、コンビニ等があり、大学自体が小さな町です。学内に寮も有り、フラットを共有していた5人とパーティをしたり散歩したりし、奇跡的にオーロラを見ることもできました。忘れられない経験になったと思います。OASでの留学は授業を受けるだけでなく、自分にとって大切な瞬間をたくさん与えてくれます。
I lived in the UK during my elementary and middle school years. During my time there, I often noticed the gap between the rich and the poor. It made me question why poverty was still such a big issue in a developed country like England. When I found out that the University of Sussex, famous for its development studies, was one of the options in the OAS program, I thought I wanted to go and study at the University of Sussex.
At the University of Sussex, I focused on development studies and business-related courses. There were many chances to join discussions with students from all sorts of backgrounds, which helped me see things from new perspectives. The university had many societies, making it easy to meet people. I joined a volunteer group called the Language Cafe, where I taught Japanese. It was a great way to meet students who were interested in Japan and its language. I had a meaningful and enjoyable time there.
The campus is large and surrounded by nature, with many facilities, including a library, a gym, cafés and convenience stores. It is like a town. I lived in a dorm on campus and shared a flat with five other people. We often cooked together, threw little parties, and went on walks. One night, we even got to see the Northern Lights. These were unforgettable experiences for me.
Studying abroad through the OAS program gave me so much more than just academic experiences. It gave me memories and friendships that will stay with me for life.
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.
Akito Oishi（2023年度OAS参加）
UPEIは多様性にあふれた大学です。
カナダにあるこの大学は、カナダ人が多いかというと決してその通りではありません。世界各国から留学生が集まります。そして、その多くが大学付属の寮や近くのアパートに住んでいます。
住まいが近いので、親密な友人関係を作ることも容易です。実際に誕生日サプライズを行ったり、映画を見たり、自国の料理をお互いに作って、異国料理を食べたりしました。また大学の学生組織がほぼ毎日イベントを開催するため、友達作りに苦戦することもありません。ハロウィンパーティーや、カラオケ大会、クッキーデコレーションなどを行いました。
世界各国の友達は留学を終えてからも大きな影響を与えます。友達に会いに旅行しに行く、ワーキングホリデーに行くなど、世界をただ旅行するだけでは決して得られないような機会を確実に得ることができます。実際にUPEIで出会った友達は日本への旅行を計画中であり、近いうち会う予定です。中には、日本語の勉強を始めた方、日本への留学を決めた友達もいます。
もちろん自分も、友達に会いに行こうと考えています。
UPEI is a university filled with diversity. You might think that the students are predominantly Canadian as UPEI is located in Canada, but this is not true. In fact, there are a lot of international students from all around the world.
Many of these students reside in university dormitories or nearby apartments. This proximity makes it easier for UPEI students to form close friendships. Indeed, I made friends and we celebrated each other’s birthdays, watched movies, and even cooked and tasted each other’s national dishes. Moreover, the university’s student organizations host events for students almost every day. This makes it easier for students to make friends. These organizations host Halloween parties, karaoke parties, and cookie decoration events.
I think that having international friends that I made through the OAS program has continued to have an impact on me, even after the program ended. Studying overseas, rather than just traveling around the world, gives unique opportunities. I think that experiencing the OAS program provides motivation for visiting the international friends you make as you will want to travel or work abroad. In fact, some of the friends I made plan to travel to Japan to meet me. Some of them even have plans to study in Japan as exchange students. I also plan to travel to meet them.
Riko Takikawa（2023年度OAS参加）
サンホゼ留学はとても楽しかったです！
大学ではイベントがたくさんあり、日本ではできない貴重な体験ができました。
留学生や現地の学生とコミュニケーションをとることで、彼らの文化や専攻について知ることができとてもいい機会ができました。留学に行ったことによって私の視野は広がり、素晴らしい思い出ができました。
My stay in San Jose was amazing! The university holds many events which are a precious experience that we cannot join in Japan.
Meeting both international and local students was a valuable opportunity to learn about their cultures and the majors they are studying. Studying abroad has really opened up my perspective, and I made truly wonderful memories in San Jose.
Yukan Omura（2022年度OAS参加）
My name is Yukan, and I'm currently enrolled in the OAS programme at Massey University in Wellington, New Zealand.
My stay in New Zealand has been both incredibly enjoyable and difficult at the same time. The opportunity to meet with individuals from diverse ethnic origins is one of Wellington's biggest attractions, a city with a vibrant creative culture.
Finding a new apartment, joining a new football team, and most importantly, getting to know now people and socialising with them are things I would never have had the opportunity to experience back in Japan.
Kazane Sano（2022年度OAS参加）
大自然の中で育まれる多様な学生との関わり/Experiences with diverse peers in the great nature
UPEIへの留学には、主に2つの魅力があります。
まず1つ目は、美しい自然です。PEIは海に囲まれた小さな島なので、美しい夕日や朝日を見たり、美味しいロ地元の食べ物を食べたりすることができます。
2つ目は、大学の多様性です。各国の学生がこの大学に集まり、さまざまな科目を学んでいるので、どの科目を専攻していても、多様なバックグラウンドを持つ人たちとコミュニケーションをとることができます。そのため、専攻する分野に対する視野を広げることができます。
During my study abroad in PEI, I found there to be mainly two attractive points.
The first one was beautiful nature. Because PEI is a small island surrounded by the sea, I could see beautiful sunsets and sunrises and eat delicious local food.
The second one is the diversity of the university. Students from all around the world come to PEI to study many kinds of subjects, I could talk with people who have diverse backgrounds on all kinds of subjects that we were all majoring in. I think studying abroad offers a great opportunity for students to widen their perspective on their major and more.