The 3 Challenges That I Face During Study Abroad In Japan

It's been 4 years since I came to Japan for the first time in my life to study at Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University (APU). During this 4 years, I have learned a lot of things not only in the class but most important I learn many aspects that makes me mature. And, 15 December 2015, is the day when I end my journey in samurai country. So, let me conclude my study abroad story and why you must go to study abroad in young age.

日本とAPUに来たのはもう４年たったようね。この４年間に、授業で勉強するだけではなく人生に何か大事なことや人にとして成長することをたくさん学んだよね。そして、２０１５年１２月１５日に侍国の旅立つを終わった。今から、この留学の冒険の語りを纏めたいと思う。

I shared in previous article about my purpose to come to APU and Japan. I accomplished my first mission which was to study abroad after graduate from high school. I decided to go to study abroad since 11 years old. 

前のアーティクルにシェアしたけどなぜ俺はAPUと日本に来たって。高校を卒業した後の目標を現実した。１１歳から留学するって決まった。

The main purpose of going to study abroad is to see world broader and to make friends with people from around the world. I decide to study International Management because for me management knowledge is very important for our life. Management isn't only applied in company or business but it can applied to our life. Time management, communication, self-promotion, energy management, are example how management applied in our life. In the future I would like to work in diversity environment where my colleagues are people from around the world. That's why I want to study International management.

留学する目的は世界をもっと広く見たいし世界の色々な人と友達を作りたい。それで、俺にとって経営は会社とかビジネスのためだけではなく人生にも大切だから国際経営学部を学ぶつもりだった。人生に経営っては、例えば時間管理、コミュニケーション、自己PR、エネルギーマネジメント、そして、未来に国際環境で仕事したいから国際経営を学びたかった。

On June 2011, it's confirmed that I passed screening to get APU scholarship 65% tuition fee. I was very happy that finally my first mission accomplished which is go to study abroad and be able to study in the university that had been my only one choice.

２０１１年６月、APUの６５％の奨学金をパスした。めっちゃ嬉しくて留学するの目標を現実できて入学したい大学に入学できた。

However, study abroad was much harder than I expected. The challenge that I face was so difficult and many unexpected things that happen to me. Here's 3 challenges that I face during 4 year study in APU, Japan and how I survive:

しかし、留学はそんな大変なのを思わなかった。俺に向かったチャレンジがそんなに大変なのを思わなかった。この下はAPUで４年間向かったチャレンジその３つだ。

1. Language Barrier（言語の壁）

Even I study in Japan, but in APU, there are English basic student and Japanese basic student. Simple to say, English basic students are taking major classes in English and must study Japanese language until intermediate level. On the other side, Japanese basic students are taking major classes in Japanese language, must study English and they have to take 20 credits major classes in English to be able to graduate (Most of Japanese student who're Japanese basic students have standard like that. I'm not sure it's same for foreign students who enroll as Japanese basic students).

日本で留学しても、APUには、英語基準学生と日本語基準学生を２つ別けた。簡単に言うと、英語基準学生は授業が英語でして中級レベルまで日本語を勉強しなければならない。日本語基準学生は授業が日本語でして英語も勉強しなければならなくて卒業するために英語基準の２０単位を取らなければならない（日本人学生こんな感じだけど国際学生の日本語基準同じかどうか分からない）。

Although, I came to APU as English basic student and got IELTS score 5.5, but my English skills was jerk. I couldn't understand Japanese as well. Japanese language was totally 0 at that time.

俺は英語基準学生にとしてAPUに入学したのに英語能力が下手だったよ。もちろん日本語全然分からん。日本語は０だったよ。全然日本語食べれません(笑)

In 1st and 2nd year in APU, I still struggling to understand English in classes. I never study major in English before so it's first time. I also never use English in daily communication so it's very difficult for me for the first time. I even asked my friend to translate what Professor explain in the class. I even couldn't write report for 600 words. I couldn't write such a long English article like this.

１と２年生時、英語で授業を取るのがまだ大変だったよ。英語で授業を取ることは初めてだから。毎日英語でコミュニケーション取ることも初めてだから本当に色々大変だった。授業で教授は何か言っているか分からないからよく友達を訳してってお願いした。

Too many grammar error (I know I still make grammar error in this blog post), can't speak fluently, and my Indonesian dialect still very strong when I speak English so people sometimes didn't understand what I said. I was so nervous and feel so small every time Professor ask for discussion especially other Indonesian students' English are very good since the beginning and they could discuss lecture's topic deeply and critically while I was still struggling to understand English.

文法の間違いが多すぎるし（まあ、このアーティクルも沢山あると思う）、ペラペラで話せないしインドネシアの方言も強いし英語で話した時相手がよく分からなかった。授業で教授はディスカッショントピックをあげた時俺は何も分からないってすごく不安だったよ。特に、他のインドネシア人の前に皆英語が上手いし授業のトピックを深く話せるけど俺は英語がまだ下手って皆の前にすごく小さいって感じしたよ。

Moreover, I couldn't speak Japanese in the first 6 months. In the classes, my quiz and exam result weren't so good. However, I did my best to speak Japanese language to my Japanese friends. Speaking was still okay for me, but kanji, owwww gosssshhh............!!!! You know how difficult for non-kanji countries to understand kanji right?

それから、最初の６月は日本語全然話せなかった。授業でクイズとテストの結果よくダメだった。だが、授業の外で日本語を話したことをとても頑張ったよ。話すだけならいいけど、漢字ダ～～～メ～～～だよ！！！俺は漢字の国から来ないから難しいって当たり前だよ！

So, what did I do? Keep communicating even though I make many mistakes but that's the best way to learn. I use language in my daily communication and in my hobbies (watching football and anime). Even I use this blog page to practice English and Japanese writing and translating skill. This blog is also one of my communication tool to share what I thought and I think I never post an article in Indonesian language here.

っで俺はどうすればいい？沢山間違ってもよくコミュニケーションで使っていた。それは言語を一番ベストの学び方だと思う。毎日日本語と英語でコミュニケーションを取って自分の趣味も使っていた（サッカーとアニメを見ること）。このブログでも実は俺の練習の所だよ。確かこのブログでインドネシア語のアーティクル書いたことがないよね。

That's it! If I lose against my nervous and never use English and Japanese to communicate with other people, I can't improve my language skill. It takes time to be able to speak better English and Japanese but it's worth because there are so many lesson in the process. I learn how to be tolerate with many different English and Japanese accent, listen to people's stories, see other Japanese and English students work so hard to be able to communicate in English and Japanese language, and many more. And it's fun and interesting! I enjoy a lot! Enjoy what you learn is the best thing.

それだけだ！自分の不安を負けたら英語と日本語でコミュニケーション取ることを無理だよ。英語と日本語でコミュニケーションするのは時間かかったけどそれでいい！学ぶプロセスで沢山面白い話があって他の国際学生の英語と日本語の発音を違うことも理解できたし色々面白い学びが沢山ある。楽しかったよ！

Joining some activities with Japanese students gave me a lot of chances to speak Japanese language 

In school organization, I have many opportunities to share my idea and working project in English and Japanese language with Japanese and other foreign students

2. Culture Shock

When people ask me "what kind of culture that you feel since come to Japan?", maybe they expect me to answer like food differences, language, strict rules, totally different custom, or whatever it is. None of them are my answer.

”アウディ日本に来て一番驚いたことって何？”よく聞かれた。多分普通の答えはご飯が違うと、言語壁、ルールが厳しい、習慣が違う、まあそれぐらいかな。けど、俺にとって別の答えがある。

Since I wasn't living in 'real Japan' because APU and Beppu is full of APU foreign students so the normal Japanese environment was different compare to bigger city like Tokyo, Osaka, and Kyoto.

APUと別府は国際学生が多いから”本当の日本”じゃないって感じする。他の日本の大きな町東京とか大阪とか京都とか環境が違う。

But it doesn't mean I have no culture shock with Japanese culture. The biggest culture shock is Japanese people. Basically, Japanese people are shy and they're not communicate directly. I mean they didn't show what they feel or what they thinking, they just say 'yes' or 'sumimasen' pretend to be okay but actually they're not okay. They also have problem to understand English (I don't say all Japanese people, but most of them have problem in English) and communicate with 'gaijin' a.k.a foreigner.

でも、俺はカルチャーショックがないわけじゃないよ。俺にとって一番びっくりするのは日本人だよ。別に、日本人ってシャイで直接にコミュニケーションを取らない。あのね普通に日本人は自分の思うこととか気持ちを表せなくて”すみません”ぐらい言うばっかり。大丈夫と言ったけど全然大丈夫じゃない。英語を理解することもけっこ問題あるし（日本人の全員じゃないけど大体英語が分からない人が多いと思う）外人とコミュニケーション取ることも恥ずかしいと思う

I had part-time job as Japanese traditional hotel as staff and cafe-restaurant as waiter where nobody can speak English. I also live in share apartment with two Japanese students who're at that time they didn't have good English skill.

旅館とカフェレストランでバイトしたことがあってそこは英語誰も話せなかったよ。俺も４年間日本人と一緒に住んでいるしAPUの慮APハウスのルームメイトは英語めっちゃ上手いけどアパートに一緒に住んでいる日本人は英語あまり上手じゃなかった。

It's difficult for me to communicate with people in my part-time job place. 'Tatemae honrei' culture and must speaking in 'keigo' were so challenging for me. And talking deep topic or serious topic with my share-mates were so hard to understand since I couldn't explain in Japanese language and so do they couldn't explain in English. So sometimes we'd miscommunication and misunderstanding.

バイトの所でコミュニケーション取ることがけっこ大変だった。建前本零文化とか敬語で話さないといけないことは俺のバイトのチャレンジだった。シェアメイトと日本語で細かい話を話すことも中々難しかった。時々ミスコミュニケーションとか誤解することもあるよ。

I also often join exchange program with Japanese middle and high school students around Oita Prefecture and join school organization to manage open campus for visitors who most of them are Japanese high school students.

大分県の中学生と高校生と一緒に交流活動していて学校の組織でオープンキャンパスイベントをマネージして来場者の方は大体日本の高校生だ。

I never know that most of Japanese people are very very shy to communicate in English with foreigner. I didn't expect that every time I came to small group with Japanese high school students, I must gain the topic so that they can communicate each other. If I didn't do that, nobody talking.

日本人は外人と英語を話すことがすごく恥ずかしいって全然思わなかった。よく交流活動で小さいグループで高校生と話した時も俺はトピックを考えないといけなかった。そうしなければ誰も話さない。

That's how I feel culture shock in APU and Japan. Even I shocked, but I keep communicate with Japanese people and try to understand them not judge them. Even I struggle and sometimes I feel frustration with Japanese people, but I tried to not judge them. I tried to understand why they're so shy and how to gain their confident.

それは日本のカルチャーショックだよ。ショックでも、コミュニケーションを取り続けて文化を理解した。時々日本人の恥ずかしさにイライラしたけど異文化を頑張って理解した。なんで日本人はそんなに恥ずかしいって気になるよ。

For example, when I went to Fukuoka and Osaka as GASS member in university seminar event, I had to do presentation about my thought about university and APU. Honestly, Japanese presentation style, I'm sorry to say this, but it's so boring. Just stand up, body doesn't move, and talk in the flat tone. The audience atmosphere is also boring for me. Not attractive at all. So, I tried to make attractive presentation, different than others, and audience can understand what I talked in warm and fun atmosphere. And it works! At first, the attenders who most of them are high school students, they feel kind a nervous to talk with foreigner like me. But i tried to be friendly, flexible, and funny then, they could talk freely and feel confident to share what they want to do in the future.

例えば、GASSメンバーになった時福岡と大阪で大学説明会があってAPUと大学と思うかについて発表しないといけない。掃除機、日本のプレゼンテーションのスタイルがすみませんけが詰まらないと思う。ただ立って、体動かなくて、フラット話し方を話した。お客さんも詰まらないと思う。全然アトラクティブじゃない。だから、俺は面白いプレゼンをしてみて普通のやり方を違うけどちゃんと伝えるべきこと伝わった。うまくできたよ！最初に、来場者は外人と話しかけるのがまだ恥ずかしいけど俺はゆっくり話して来場者の自信を上がるために楽しい話し方を話した。

So don't judge people just by first impression. You just know what you see but you don’t know what’s exactly happen behind it. But if you tried to be tolerate and understand culture difference, you'll see how fun and interesting communicate with people who have different culture with you.

だから、人のこと最初の印象を気にしないで。君を知っていることは目の前に見えるものだけだけどその後に何かあるかどうか分からないんだろう。でも、異文化を理科してみれば世界の人とコミュニケーション取る楽しさが分かる。

Even it's quite hard, but I enjoy it. I like that challenge. There are many interesting stories that I got from that experience.

難しいけど俺が楽しんでいるよ。そのチャレンジが好きだ。面白い話や経験などがよく学んだよ。

I learn how to live in Japanese family and communicate with local people by joining homestay program from my university student office

Exchange program with local people gave me an opportunity to share about my country in Japanese language as well as getting know how local people think about my country 

3. Too many Indonesian（インドネシア人が多すぎる）

I was living in Japan and far from my home in Indonesia. However, sometimes I didn't feel like I'm study abroad because there too many Indonesian in my campus. Every year the number of Indonesian are increase. Can you imagine, when I came in 2011, the new undergraduate student were 'just' 27. But the next 3 years, it increase dramatically, 52 (2012), 62 (2013), 88 (2014, I'm not sure), and I hear there are 100 Indonesian undergraduate students who enroll in fall semester 2015. It just the number in fall semester, not include in spring semester.

俺は日本に住んでインドネシアと遠く離れた。なのに俺のキャンパスでインドネシア人が多すぎるので時々留学するのが感じられない。毎年インドネシアの学生の数を増えてきた。２０１１年の秋セメスターに来たとき学部の学生は“ただ２７人”だけだ。しかし、次の３年はすごく増えてきたよ。２０１２年５２人、２０１３年６２人、２０１４年８８人（本当かどうか分からん）、そして２０１５年は１００人までらしい。それは秋セメスターだけ。春セメスターの数まだ入らない。

Here's the point, I came to APU and Japan to experience living in different environment and different people. Basically, I have no problems if there are Indonesian students in my campus. I hanging out with them, perform Indonesia culture with them, party with them, and enjoy many times with Indonesian students. But it just too many Indonesian in the campus.

俺はAPUと日本に来た目的は新しい環境と新しい人達と一緒に住みたかった。別に、インドネシア人の学生がいたら問題ない。彼らと一緒に遊んだり、インドネシア文化パフォーマンスもしたりパーチしたり沢山楽しい時間を過ごしたりした。ただね、数が多すぎる。

It's challenge for me! I want to learn living in different environment with different people and I already spend much money, times, and energy to come to Japan and APU but I feel like I don’t go to study abroad because everywhere I go, there are Indonesian and the atmosphere is same like where I come from.

俺にとってチャレンジだよ！留学するために沢山動力とお金と時間をかかったけど結局あそこでどこに行っても絶対インドネシア人がいるし雰囲気も同じだし留学の意味がなくなったみたいな。

Moreover, I have some communication problem with Indonesian due to my experience in the past that maybe not many people will understand it. I said in "the most important lesson that I learn in my college life" article that the more diverse people around me, the more I enjoy it because we've many difference so it's interesting.

それに、俺の過去に色々な問題があったからインドネシア人とコミュニケーション取るのをうまく取れなかった。これが難しい話だけどよく人が分からないかも。前のアーティクルで書いたけど俺の周りの人と環境がもっと多様性だったらもっと楽しいと思う。色々な違いは俺にとって色々な学ぶことだ。

If I always hang out with Indonesian students, then I'll not speak English and Japanese. I didn't learn how to communicate with people who have different culture with me. In the end, sorry to say, I just listen Indonesian students gossiping other students from other countries which for me it's not good to hear that.

もし、よくインドネシア人と一緒にいたら日本語と英語を話すチャンスが少なくなっちゃう。言語だけではなく異文化を理解するチャンスもあまり学べない。結局、申し訳ないけど他の国のゴシップばっかり聞いちゃった。俺があまり好きじゃないそんなこと。

So, I tried to manage my time, when I hanging out with Indonesian students and when I hanging out with other students from other countries. I tried to keep relationship with Indonesian students although I prefer to hanging out with Japanese and international students. So, I tried to balance my time for Indonesian students and other students. That’s very important!

だから、インドネシア人の時間と他の国際学生の時間を管理した。日本人学生と国際学生とよく遊んでいるけどインドネシア人にも仲良くしたいからいい関係を守った。関係バランスが大切だと思う！

So many Indonesian students in my previous campus. It's fun and good but it's quite challenging for me

Even though it's challenging to have so many Indonesian students, but I have great time with them during study in APU. For example, play futsal every Saturday night

My Message To You （君に伝えたいメッセージ）

Just think logically, you go to study abroad to study in different country which means, the culture is different, language is different, and environment is different. You spend a lot of money, time, and energy to be able to study abroad. You sacrifice your feeling for leaving your lovely family and country to study in the far place. But in the end, you live and hanging out with people who come from same country like you, speaking in your mother tongue, and eating same food like you eat in your home country.

よく考えて！留学するってことは違う国に行って環境と言語と文化は君の生まれた所が絶対違うよ。また、留学するために時間、お金、動力を沢山かけた。家族と大好きな人たちとを遠く離れる。なのに、結局あそこで君と同じ来た国の人と一緒に住んだり毎日母国語を喋ったり同じご飯を食べたりした。

What a waste! Sorry to say this, but you just waste your time, money, and energy. Especially, if you go to study by your parents' money not your own money. Think about it! If you end up living in the same environment like your home country and didn't use an opportunity to learn living abroad, then you go abroad for no meaning.

もったいない過ぎ！申し訳ないけど、君をかけたお金、時間、動力が無駄にしちゃうだけだ。特に、自分のお金を使わずに親のお金で留学する。よく考えて！留学に行くけど同じ環境で住んだり海外で住むことを学ばんかったりすれば留学行く意味がないよ。

Are you afraid hang out with people who come from different country? Are you feel annoyed every time you have to speak English or local language? Are tired to understand culture difference? I understand living abroad isn't easy. You must be nervous, anxiety, and worried whether you can survive or not. It's okay to feel nervous but don't your nervous beat you. Remember your hard work,   sacrifice, and the support from people who love and care to you. Don't waste a brilliant opportunity! Explore it! If you think the problems like language barrier or culture shock, of course it's quite scare. But, once you explore the country where you study abroad, then you'll find the uniqueness of that country. And, it's very fun!

他の外国人と交流活動や遊ぶなどなんかこわがあるの？英語とかその国の言語を話すがそんなにめんどくさいの？異文化を理解するのをそんなに疲れた？まあ、海外で住むのを簡単なものではないって分かるよ。本当に生活できるかどうか不安で怖くて寂しくてそんな気持ちがあると思うよ。不安でもいいけどその不安な気持ちを負けるな！留学するために君の動力、頑張りそして君の大切な人達のサポートを覚えて！探って！その大事なチャンスを無駄にするな！もし君は言語の壁とか文化違いって問題を考えばもちろん不安になる。でも、一回その国を探ったら沢山ユニークの所を見つかったよ。そしてめっちゃ楽しかったよ！

For me, it's boring if I living in the same environment although I go to study abroad. During study in Japan, I often looking for an event or a place where I'm the only one Indonesian and Muslim. I'm happy if nobody can speak Indonesian or even English because it's challenging for me and I can learn many lessons that I'll never in Indonesia and in the classes.

俺にとって留学するのにずっと同じ環境で住んだらなんか詰まらないと思う。日本で留学した時、俺はただ１人だけのインドネシア人とイスラム教等の場所とかイベントをよく探していたよ。そこでもしインドネシア語と英語が喋れなければ逆に俺が嬉しかった。なぜなら、面白いチャレンジだしインドネシアと授業で学べないことが学べる。

But of course, I keep in touch with Indonesian who're study in my university, APU. If they have an event or culture performance or Indonesian Week event, I always do my best to help them. I just want to be good friend with them because we're come from same country and our position is same, foreign student and far from family. So, I want to be part of Indonesia family in APU and we can help and support each other.

でももちろん、インドネシア人との関係をちゃんと守っていたよ。もしAPUインドネシア会はイベントとか文化パフォーマンスとかインドネシアウェークをやれば俺が全力で手伝ってあげた。なぜなら、APUにいるインドネシア人の学生の皆と仲良くしたかったからだ。俺たちの立場が同じで同じ国から来たので新しい家族を作りたかった。だから、俺はAPUのインドネシア人の家族に入れてほしくて何かあったらお互いに手伝った。

It's very important to balance your relationship between local people, other foreign students, and people who come from same country like you. Don't forget, we're social creature, we must need friend, and since your family isn't here, create new family in the place where you are. You can learn how to build friendship with many different people and its part of study abroad's lesson. It's fun and exciting, so make friends as many as you can!

ローカルの市民と他の留学生と同じ国の人の関係バランスが大切だと思うよ。人間はソーシャル生物（生活に他の人間と一緒に住むということだ）って忘れないで。地元と家族を遠く離れるから俺たちの住んでいる場所に新しい家族を作らないといけない。留学の１つの教訓は色々な違う人と仲間になることだ。沢山友達を作るのが楽しくて面白いよ！

Study abroad isn't only about study your major in the class or doing research but it’s how you survive in different environment and communicate with people who have different culture. If you study, for example in Japan 4 years, and you can't speak Japanese nor communicate with Japanese people nor were getting used to communicate in diversity environment, then there's no meaning to study abroad. Again, remember your hard work, sacrifice, and people who love and care to you!

留学の大切な学びはただの研究や授業で勉強することだけではなく新しい環境に住んでと色々な違う人とコミュニケーション取ることだ。例えば、４年間アメリカで留学したけど結局英語が話せないしアメリカ人の友達がいないし国際環境でコミュニケーションが取れないしそれなら留学する意味ないんじゃない。もう一度留学するため君の動力と頑張りと周りの人のサポートを覚えて！

Go out from your safe zone, don't be afraid, and just enjoy it! Your world will be broader, and your knowledge will gain if you tried to live in diversity environment. In there, you have many opportunities to share how amazing your country and culture, at the same time, your friends are also share how amazing their country and culture. It's very fun, I promise! Once you enjoy it, you'll feel comfortable.

安全な場所から出て行って心配しなくて楽しんで！国際環境で住んだら君の世界を広げれて知識も増えて。そこで、君の国の文化のすごさ皆見せるチャンスが多くてそれと同時に君の友達の国の文化のすごさもシェアしてもらうと思う。本当に楽しいよ！

And when you go back to your home country, you'll proud to tell your families and friends that you have friends from around the world and tell them culture from many different countries. Your family and friend might only know, for example Japan, just from TV, anime, manga, or book. You can tell them the real Japan and the real Japanese people to them and you'll proud to yourself. And when you tell, your friends from Japan or from other countries come to your home, people around you will be so excited because it might first time for them to welcome foreigner and meet foreigner.

そして、自分の国に帰ったら家族や友達などに君の留学の語りを話す時君が自分に誇らしくなる。多分君の友達と家族は例えばアメリカのことを知っていることはテレビやニュースや映画などである物だけだと思う。本当のアメリカのことは君をよく知っていると思うからそれを皆にシェアすることができる。また、いつか君のアメリカ人の友達とか他の国の友達君の家に来たら皆は楽しんでいると思う。なぜなら、多分初めて地元に外国人と直接に会うからだ。

The opposite situation can also happen. You visit your friends' home country and people around your friends are also excited welcoming you. Someday, I want to visit Vietnam, Thailand, Germany, East European country to meet my friends and meet people around them. It'll be exciting lesson for me!

逆の状態も同じ。君は友達の国に遊びに行ったら友達の地元の人も楽しんでいる。いつか、俺はベトナムやタイドイツ東ヨーロッパに行ってみて友達の所に遊びに行きたい。それは面白い旅や学ぶことになる！

So, what are you afraid for? If you're currently study abroad or will go to study abroad or plan to study abroad, this is the reality that you will face. Don't think negatively, just enjoy it! It's fun!

さあ、もう大丈夫だろう？もし君は留学に行こうとしたらとか今留学していたらこれは現実だ。ネガティブなこと考えずに留学を楽しんで！本当に楽しいよ！