Mathias Lacheny, School of Human Cultures

Study Abroad in Japan ; Through the Eyes of a French Student
Mathias Lacheny, Department of Intercultural Communications

Hello, my name is Mathias Lacheny. I'm from France, from the University of Orléans, and I'm currently on an exchange program at The University of Shiga Prefecture. Since my arrival, I've felt more fulfilled than ever. The support for international students provided by the university administration is excellent, and I've never felt lost or alone here in Japan. The tutoring program in place has been incredibly helpful in handling administrative procedures that might seem daunting, but they were quickly resolved thanks to the staff and my tutor.

Furthermore, the university offers courses and activities that allow us to enrich ourselves culturally and discover new things. For instance, the university gave students the opportunity to participate in the Hikone Castle Parade in November, which was an unforgettable experience for me!

The courses offered are also of outstanding quality, whether they are Japanese language classes or those taught in English. I'd especially like to mention the course "Contemporary Japanese Culture," which allowed us to explore various aspects of Japanese culture. We learned about the tea ceremony, board games, origami, and calligraphy, and most of these activities were carried out in authentic settings, such as practicing calligraphy in a temple or playing board games in a real context.

(March, 2025)