Japanese Professor Encourages Students to Participate in Study Abroad Program
Kaity Collins
Manchester University had some special visitors on campus Monday, September 25; Toru Kataoka, Shiori Imamura and Rina Yamada visited Manchester to discuss the Study Abroad program with students interested in studying abroad in Japan.
Kataoka, associate professor from Hokusei Gakuen University in Japan, has a fondness for Manchester University: “I used to be a student in 1995,” Kataoka said. “That’s why I love Manchester.” Kataoka studied abroad at Manchester and also lived in North Manchester last year.
On Friday, September 29, Kataoka, Imamura and Yamada discussed the process of studying abroad in Japan to prepare interested students, as well as talking with any students interested.
Kataoka, along with his students Imamura and Yamada, described the process of traveling to Japan to study abroad with senior Haylee Parrish, who spent her Spring 2017 semester at Hokusei Gakuen University. They discussed details about the experience, including everything from the plane flight to the main attractions in Sapporo, the city where Hokusei Gakuen University is located.
Parrish described the travel process in detail for other students, mentioning the 13-hour flight from Chicago to Tokyo while Kataoka added it will be “Tokyo to Sapporo” once the plane lands in Japan. According to Parrish, the total traveling time was around 22 hours. “You’ll be fine,” Parrish assured. “There are lots of people willing to help; you don’t need to worry too much.”
“Tokyo is a big city, but Sapporo is safer,” said Kataoka. For prospective study abroad students, he also said that he’d “be there to greet and guide you through the visit” after first arriving in Japan.
However, the traveling may be taxing and not always easy. “After a 13 hour flight, you just want something familiar,” Parrish said with a laugh.
Kataoka, Imamura and Yamada all mentioned that students studying abroad in Japan will “learn about the Japanese culture” and that “learning the language is important but not a requirement.” Housing will be with a host Japanese family.
“It was fun getting to know the Japanese visitors,” said sophomore Natalie Collins.
The three Japanese visitors ended their stay in Indiana on September 30, but “enjoyed” their visit and are “excited” for the Study Abroad program to begin again during the spring and fall semester of next year.