Cai Jiacheng, Graduate School of Human Cultures_Eng

Study Abroad in Japan ; Through the Eyes of a Chinese Student
Cai Jiacheng, Division of Regional Studies

I first visited Shiga six years ago. At the time, I had just graduated from high school and could barely speak Japanese beyond simple greetings. Carrying with me a longing for Japan that I had nurtured through anime, manga, and novels, I chose the Kansai region as the destination for my graduation trip.

Because it was six years ago, most of my memories are now vague. However, one moment remains vivid even today: riding the Ohmi Railway and gazing at the Shiga scenery spreading out along the tracks. Looking back, perhaps it was during that solo journey - walking through the towns of Otsu, Hino, Toyosato, and Hikone and immersing myself in nature - that I first became drawn to Shiga.

With those memories in mind, when I began considering graduate school two years ago, The University of Shiga Prefecture was the first institution I looked into. I discovered that Professor Ichikawa, who specializes in the field of folklore that I wished to study, was teaching there, and I met all the requirements listed in the admissions guidelines. After six months of effort - including inquiries by email and phone, a campus visit, and the entrance examination - I was able to begin my life as a graduate student at The University of Shiga Prefecture in April of last year.

If I were to describe these two years of student life in a single phrase, it would be "a journey of expanding knowledge and broadening perspective." By majoring in folklore and, in my first year, also taking the Omi Kanjin Regional Revitalization Program as a minor, I was fortunate to have many opportunities for off-campus learning. I visited numerous places, including Nishiawakura Village in Okayama Prefecture; Kamikatsu Town in Tokushima Prefecture; Taki Town in Mie Prefecture; Takabatake Town in Nara City; and within Shiga Prefecture, Kusatsu, Kōka, Hino, Toyosato, Maibara, and Nagahama. Under the guidance of my professors, I traveled to many regions through fieldwork, site visits, and surveys in various forms. Through these experiences, the process of "observe → think → write → synthesize" became the foundation of my learning over these two years.

In addition, through a short but fulfilling period of club activities, I was able to meet many people and build a wide range of connections. As a result, compared to undergraduate students, I may have spent less time on campus, but I truly feel that I was able to enjoy a rich and meaningful student life.

Shiga, and The University of Shiga Prefecture, have given me invaluable treasures: knowledge, skills, the ability to think critically, and - most importantly - connections with people who matter deeply to me. Though I am still finding my way, I carry a deep sense of gratitude, and from here on, I hope to explore my future and the path I should take so that I may give something back to Shiga.

Thank you very much, and I sincerely appreciate your continued support.

(December, 2025)