Ryotaro YAGI

Student of Waseda University, Japan
Exchange to Macquarie University, Australia

The biggest reason why I decided to study abroad in Australia is that I have always been interested in the country's cultural diversity. Now, I feel that my choice to go to Australia has definitely been right.

I am very happy with being able to study at Macquarie University as an exchange student. When I joined the orientation event at the university for the first time, I was very surprised because there were so many students from different countries. This great environment enabled me to learn cultural differences not only in lectures and tutorials but also outside classes. For example, every time I attended the International Communication class tutorial, I learnt many interesting ideas from the other students since they all had different and unique ways of thinking. This gave me a wide perspective. Outside class, having lunch with my friends from different countries was one of my most favourite times. It was not merely fun but was also a very good opportunity for me to learn about other cultures.

I also had a great time outside campus. Fortunately, I got the opportunity to work at a nearby high school as an intern assistant teaching Japanese. What motivated me to apply was because firstly I had never experienced being an intern and would like to try it, and secondly I had a great interest in education. The work was mainly to provide assistance during Japanese classes at the school. It was not easy to help these students with learning Japanese since they did not use it in daily life. However, though it was challenging, I found it very rewarding when the students improved their Japanese through my assistance.

All in all, I enjoyed my study exchange because it gave me the opportunity to experience a different culture(which I aimed for originally), and also because it allowed me to work as a teaching assistant (which I did not expect).

I am really grateful to have received the Endeavour Scholarship. Its support enabled me to be more active in Australia and helped me and my family financially. I would like to repay this generosity by doing my best in the future.

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