Marie's life in an eight-person flat share in Japan
Marie Großeschallau completed her Bachelor's degree in International Business Studies (IBS) in summer 2023. Before writing her Bachelor's thesis, however, she spent a semester abroad at the other end of the world - in Japan. She tells us what she experienced there and which experiences Marie will never forget.Maries Leben in einer Achter-WG in Japan
22-year-old Marie is in the starting blocks of her Master's programme and already knows exactly what direction she wants to take later on: ‘I would like to work internationally, either abroad or for an internationally oriented company in the field of marketing.’ That's why she opted for the International Business Studies degree programme after completing her A-levels. The wide range of languages on offer in combination with business subjects was already a decisive factor in Marie's decision. She chose English and French as foreign languages and quickly found her way between les thèmes internationaux and international issues thanks to the language courses. And that's exactly what makes IBS so unique for the East Westphalian: ‘I was able to try out languages and combine them with something - namely business topics.’
Japan up close and personal and in the bachelor thesis
Marie wrote her bachelor's thesis on employee turnover in companies and took a comparative look at various countries. Marie analysed European countries, the USA and Japan. But before starting her Bachelor's thesis, Marie first immersed herself in Japanese culture and mentality - because she spent a semester abroad in Sendai in the winter of 2022/23. This is the largest city in the Tōhoku region and is located on the narrow strip of land between the Pacific coast and the mountains of Japan. Marie had already taken a liking to Asia after a holiday in Taiwan, an island nation off the coast of China. ‘It's just different there than here, especially the culture and the work ideas,’ says the 22-year-old, naming just one point that she had noticed beforehand when attending Japanese courses. And what was it actually like? ‘Japan is a very harmony-focussed culture, so people talk a lot and don't just focus on themselves.’ For example, people keep quiet on buses and trains so that other passengers coming home from work can sleep.
Burritos and ramen in the international flat share
Sendai, the city where Marie lived for several months, is about the same size as Cologne. But it didn't feel like a big city: ‘It wasn't as flashy and colourful as I thought it would be, and the tourists mainly come here for the cherry blossom season and not all year round.’ Marie lived in a student hall of residence in a shared flat with seven other international students from Japan, China and France. She got on best with the French member of the group due to the few cultural differences. ‘The Japanese in particular were very shy when they had to speak English. That's why communication often relied heavily on gestures,’ says Marie, describing how they lived together. Nevertheless, the flatmates got to know each other better during shared cooking evenings. The 22-year-old was able to try out the other students' dishes, such as burritos or ramen. But Marie was also able to cook German food, as she found more German and familiar products in the supermarket than she had initially expected. However, there was a big difference in price. Grapes, for example, cost around 13 euros there. Meat, on the other hand, was often cheaper than in Germany for just a few euros. ‘However, people eat out much more often in Japan than in Germany: most people eat out every other day and eating out alone is also very common.’
Apart from the diverse cuisine that Japan has to offer, Marie was often drawn to the country's various temples. She particularly enjoyed going there in the morning, when the places were not yet so busy with tourists. She has particularly fond memories of Kyōto: the student discovered a temple on Google Maps high up on a mountain and set off with a few friends. The moment they reached the temple on the mountain was a breathtaking experience for everyone: the view of Kyōto and the surrounding valleys stretched out before them. ‘We then met someone there who invited us to join him for a matcha,’ she recalls. The conversations with the locals allowed her to immerse herself even deeper in Japanese culture and history.
These are Marie's tips for a semester abroad in Japan in the winter semester:
- Ice and Snow Festival in Hokkaido: The Ice and Snow Festival in Hokkaido is an annual event where impressive ice and snow sculptures are exhibited. These works of art can be up to 10 metres high and attract visitors from all over the world. The festival usually takes place in winter and offers a magical and frosty environment illuminated by lights.
- Kyoto is famous for its beautiful temples and rich cultural history. To avoid crowds of tourists, it is advisable to visit Kyoto outside the high season. Especially in spring, when the cherry blossoms are in full bloom, the city becomes a breathtaking destination. So plan a visit early in the morning or late in the evening!
- Okinawa is a group of islands in the south of Japan and is known for its beautiful tropical beaches and crystal-clear waters. In the warmer months, it is ideal for swimming and diving. The islands offer a relaxed atmosphere, traditional culture and a variety of water sports.
- Halloween in Tokyo: Tokyo is known for its lively Halloween parties and events. During this time, the streets are filled with elaborately costumed people and there are numerous events and celebrations in bars, clubs and on the streets.
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