(Mr. Majaliwa (left), an exchange student from PUR, with Prof. John (center) and TUFS student Mr. Jato (right), in front of the TUFS statue just before departing for the airport.) Professor John M.Mugane, who stayed at TUFS as a visiting professor in the Spring semester of the 2025 academic year, has returned to The U.S.A after completing his term. He gave a very interesting lecture on " Where Africa's people Speak: African Languages in Thought, Work, and Life" at the 103rd ASC Seminar. In addition to lectures at Sophia University, and to a class of Africa majors. We look forward to seeing you again in Japan!

Angel Gabriella Osei, our former exchange student fromUniversity of Ghana (Republic of Ghana), who studied in Japan from September 2024 to July 2025 wrote an essay of his stay in Japan.Please check it out!! ---- MY EXPERIENCE SO FAR AS AN EXCHANGE STUDENT IN JAPAN Konnichiwa! My name is Angel Gabriella Osei, but most people call me Gabby. I'm a student at the University of Ghana and had the incredible opportunity to participate in an exchange program in Japan. I arrived on September 25th, originally planning to stay for just one semester. However, my deepening desire to immerse myself further in Japanese culture led me to apply for an extension. That's how my four-month stay turned into a full academic year at Tokyo University of Foreign Studies (TUFS). Coming to Japan was truly a dream come true. I'm endlessly grateful to the IAfP Office, the African Studies Centre for their incredible support, to the coordinator at my home university for their selfless guidance, to TOYOTA Ghana for sponsoring my flight, to JASSO for the monthly stipend, and to the amazing professors and staff at TUFS who helped make this journey smooth and memorable. I first became fascinated with Japanese history after watching Shogun, a historical drama that quickly became one of my favourite shows. My passion for world history and my curiosity about Japan's past pushed me to pursue this exchange opportunity. I felt it was time to leave my comfort zone, experience different cultures, and find inspiration for my final essay. Japan, renowned for its peaceful atmosphere and open-mindedness, was the ideal setting to grow both academically and personally. Before coming to Japan, I had almost no confidence when it came to public speaking. But through group projects, class presentations, discussions, and weekly essays, I've learned to speak up and trust my voice. I've also made friends from different parts of the world, exchanging ideas and stories that have stayed with me to this day. MY EXPERIENCE WITH JAPANESE PEOPLE Outside of school, I met some incredibly kind and generous people. One unforgettable moment happened in Saitama when I missed the last train after getting my hair done. A stranger, who was taking pictures at the station around 2 a.m., approached me and kindly offered to drive me to my destination. Though I was hesitant at first, his sincerity was evident. While I don't recommend getting into a stranger's car, this experience reminded me of how dependable and helpful many Japanese people are, even to complete strangers. I also noticed how deeply appreciative Japanese people are, even for the smallest gestures. A friend in one of my classes often helped me with Japanese assignments. One day, I gave her my favourite snack to say thank you, and her heartfelt reaction brought me to tears. She said it wasn't about the gift itself but the thought behind it. I had heard this phrase many times before, but this was the first time I truly felt the sincerity behind it. It made me realise how difficult it can be to choose gifts for people back home who are often hard to please, yet with Japanese people, something small and genuine goes a long way. ACTIVITIES ON CAMPUS I had seven classes each week and was fortunate to explore a variety of subjects. The TUFS curriculum allowed me to choose courses beyond my major. I studied Japanese and practiced speaking with native speakers, which helped improve my fluency. Writing was more challenging, especially because of kanji, something even native Japanese speakers find difficult! I also took Slovene language classes, which may sound random, but my curiosity about global cultures pushed me to try something new. I not only learned a new language but also gained insights into Slovenian culture and cuisine. Another fascinating class I took was International Protection of Refugees. As someone from Africa, I appreciated the opportunity to contribute my perspective and hear others engage with topics so close to home. In terms of extracurriculars, I participated in events organised by the TUFS Student Community, including the Halloween Party and Gigosai Festival. I also joined activities by the International Student Support Association (ISSA), such as a trip to the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), Kimono wearing and a dance festival during sakura season. Educational trips to places like Kawagoe exposed me to Japan's historical architecture and traditional dishes. While I didn't officially join a club, I occasionally attended karate classes, which were both fun and challenging. LIFE OUTSIDE SCHOOL On weekends, after making sure all assignments and homework were completed, I made time to explore my neighbourhood and other parts of Tokyo. I often hung out with other international and Japanese students for a night out, dinner, Arcade or karaoke. I visited lively areas like Shinjuku, Shibuya, Kichijoji, Hachioji, and Yokohama. In Yokohama, I enjoyed thrilling rides at Cosmo World, including my first-ever roller coaster and Ferris wheel ride. I also visited the Cup Noodles Museum, which was such a fun and interactive experience. I got to learn about the history behind one of the world's most loved comfort foods. I tried Ice skating for the first time. One of my favorite food adventures took me all the way to Mitaka, where a popular ramen spot called Musashiya stole my heart. Even though it was far, I didn't mind the distance at all. The rich flavour and warm atmosphere were more than worth it. I also developed a love for takoyaki, a Japanese street food made with octopus. There's a small stand near Tama Station that became my go-to spot whenever I craved a quick snack. I also had the chance to connect with fellow African students at Soka University, which gave me a sense of community and home away from home. These moments outside the classroom helped shape my cultural experience and made my time in Japan even more memorable. CHALLENGES AND CULTURE SHOCKS Of course, not everything was easy. My first cultural shock? No loud music at parties. Coming from Ghana, where music and dance are central to any gathering, I struggled with the quiet. But I later learned it's out of respect for neighbours. Japan can feel like a safe haven for introverts, so quiet, so peaceful. At first, I couldn't even fall asleep because I missed the noise. I ended up playing movies or wearing headphones just to feel at ease. Another thing that stood out was how punctual everyone is. Japanese people often show up on time early and everything runs according to schedule. It made me admire the country's efficiency and structure. Getting used to the train and bus system was another challenge. In the beginning, it was confusing, but I gradually got the hang of it. Then there was the language barrier. Asking for help sometimes led to blank stares or polite nods, simply because many people didn't feel confident speaking English or did not speak English at all. This motivated me to take my Japanese classes more seriously, and I'm proud of the progress I've made. Looking back, I still can't believe how much has happened in just one year. I've faced challenges, learned lessons, made lifelong friends, and grown in ways I never imagined. My time in Japan has been a journey of discovery of the world, of others, and myself. I'm returning home not just with souvenirs, but with stories, inspiration, and a renewed sense of self. TUFS will always have a special place in my heart. I'm beyond grateful to everyone who made this journey possible and meaningful, from my professors and classmates to my friends and supporters back home. Thank you, TUFS, for this experience. Arigatou gozaimasu, Japan. You've been a beautiful chapter in my story, and I hope it's not the last.

Lindah Lenah Phiri, our former exchange student from University of Zambia (UNZA), who studied in Japan from April 2025 to July 2025 wrote an essay of his stay in Japan.Please check it out!!---- Hello, my name is Lindah Phiri, a fourth year student studying psychology and philosophy at the University of Zambia. I studied at Tokyo University of Foreign Studies (TUFS) for one semester as an exchange student from April 2025 until July 2025. Both traveling to Japan and learning at TUFS has been one of the best experiences throughout my academic career, and I am grateful for being granted the opportunity to study abroad. I want to express my gratitude especially to Cloud Funding Contributors for offering me the Round-Trip Air Tickets from Zambia to Japan, and to JASSO for sponsoring my education and living expenses during my time at TUFS. I am thankful also to the Student Exchange Division, the International Student Support Association (ISSA) and the African Studies Center for their support and giving me the opportunity to interact with Japanese culture, and making my stay at TUFS enjoyable. Academic life While at TUFS, I studied Japanese Language and Literature. I enjoyed the new and exciting challenge of learning Japanese for the first time, and took classes for Japanese 101 every day. At first, I was surprised by the structure of the classes and the syllabus, as I was not used to having tests and assignments weekly, or having in-class interactions with my classmates. But I appreciated this learning style, it made learning the language, memorizing certain words, phrases, and sentence patterns much easier, as I had to constantly talk to my classmates and Sensei in Japanese. I found that I was able to use what I learned in class to speak with Japanese people inside and outside TUFS! As a psychology student interested in language, this method of second-language learning deeply interested me. With my Japanese literature course, I learnt much about Japanese history, art, and expression. Learning this helped me understand and better contexualize Japanese social life, as well as Japanese language. Social life and Cultural experiences I was glad to have the opportunity to interact with so many kind Japanese students from TUFS, who made me feel very welcome and comfortable. They introduced me to many places, such as the beautiful Asakusa, where one of Tokyo's oldest temples, Senso-ji, is. I was lucky enough to see many beautiful places and sites in Japan, including the Sakura in early Spring. The friends I made at TUFS were wonderful, including the Japanese students, the international students, and the other African exchange students. The first time I ate sushi, okonomiyaki, katsudon and ramen, was with the friends I made. I am glad to have experienced Japanese culture with all of them. Challenges My biggest challenge was adjusting to a new culture. I had to quickly learn how to act in different public social settings, such as how to line up and cue properly at the mall, museums, shops, or the train station. Navigating the foreign technology, especially in a foreign language, was also a challenge for me. Tokyo's railway system was also very complex, and I sometimes struggled when traveling alone. These experiences were difficult, but I appreciated the challenge, they made me think creatively and learn to problem solve quickly. Conclusion I have always had a deep admiration for Japanese language and culture, therefore my time in Japan has been incredibly fulfilling, academically and socially. I hope to take what I learned and the skills I developed at TUFS and apply them to my further studies at the University of Zambia and elsewhere. I hope to visit Japan again soon. Thank you!

Chiteta Daniel Mukuma, our former exchange student from University of Zambia (UNZA), who studied in Japan from April 2025 to July 2025 wrote an essay of his stay in Japan.Please check it out!!----Study In Japan Report Greetings, I am Chiteta Daniel Mukuma from the University of Zambia (UNZA), and my major at UNZA is Media and Communications. I have been an exchange student at Tokyo University of Foreign Studies (TUFS) since April 1st, and I return to my home country on the 28th of July. My time in Japan has been wonderful. I express my sincere gratitude to the IAfP program and the fundraising campaign that made it possible to get the flight ticket to and from Japan. I also thank all the professors and coordinators at TUFS who worked towards the continuation of this exchange program between UNZA and TUFS. I am very thankful to the Japan Student Services Organisation (JASSO), the African Studies Centre and the Student Exchange Division for their support and hospitality during my stay. Academic Life During my time at TUFS, I focused on improving my research skills in my field of study and improving my Japanese. Classes at the Centre for Japanese Language helped me gain confidence and get much better at the language. Fluency in Japanese is now something I know is achievable, and that has improved my life here in all aspects. The Multiculturalism class and Film Studies class introduced me to aspects of Japanese society and culture, history and politics that would have been difficult to research by myself. The classes at TUFS have allowed me to meet many professors and students in the communications field and further refine my research ideas and goals. The new perspectives and cultural knowledge I have acquired have shown me how important identity is and what that means in a globally connected world. My Social Life My stay at TUFS was not all academics. I have met wonderful people from different places, from the Democratic Republic of Congo to Taiwan and the United States, among others. And of course, I have connected to Japan emotionally through the Japanese friends I have made. I joined the acappella club, and not only spoke in Japanese but also sang in Japanese. Learning from the Japanese students at TUFS and the African Studies Centre made socialising easier. Adjusting to the Culture Living in Japan also had some challenges. Like many foreigners, I found getting around confusing at first. Getting lost on the trains and in the city was a common problem! I also had to learn how to sort trash and how to communicate when using Japanese. Knowing how polite to be (senpai and kouhai) and how to act with Japanese people was difficult to learn. But these challenges were part of the adventure, and I enjoyed learning how to navigate them. Sightseeing Seeing the cherry blossoms when I arrived in spring was a dream come true. That goes for visiting the city of Tokyo itself, taking tours of famous places like Asakusa and Tokyo Skytree, and seeing many shrines and museums. Practising my Japanese in real life while exploring the city was amazing. I got to see Mount Fuji from a distance at the top of Mount Takao. I also visited the Shuga Shrine and the famous staircase there. This is a well-known spot from the hit movie by Makoto Shinkai called "Your Name." As a fan of anime, visiting this spot with my friend Lindah was very cool. It was raining that day, but it did not matter much to us. Conclusion My time has been short but impactful. This experience is life-changing. I will miss the wonderful friends and memories I have made here. This has been a big encouragement towards achieving future goals of being a researcher and communicator on a global scale. Thank you once again to TUFS and to all who contributed to making this possible.