Exchange Diary (CityU Students): Fai Wong @ Nagoya University of Commerce and Business, Japan (from CityU) Sep 2011- Dec 2011

Monday, January 16, 2012

Fai Wong @ Nagoya University of Commerce and Business, Japan (from CityU) Sep 2011- Dec 2011

September 1, 2011 Thursday

The first time I commute to school, shocked, taking one and half hour, 1700 yen two way(approximate HK$170, unreasonable exchange rate). Everything is expensive in term of Hong Kong dollar. Nagoya is a quite city and I could not adjust myself in the very beginning. For example, sorting out the rubbish, the walking pattern, people across before the vehicles…. Nagoya is not dense, though a lot of apartments are there, half of them are not occupied. Unlike Hong Kong, Japanese residents like going to buy stuffs by bicycle since supermarkets or shopping malls are not near the residency. Japanese is considerable and strict. They will not talking in mobile in subway and bus, no rubbish bins in street and all bills or magazines received in the street to be carried home and sort them out. As a Hong Konger, I really need sometimes to accustom myself in this unique environment.

September 10, 2011 Saturday

Japanese really appreciates the history and natural resource. Today, I went to one of famous shrine called(Jinguji). A lot of Japanese would go there for praying, marrying and rituals for bringing luck for children. Not only on special destinations, you can spot lots of shrines everywhere in Nagoya. In Jinguji, some shrines built for water, land……showing that we appreciate the god giving those kinds of vital resources. Outside the Jinguji, I bought some books in the second hand book shop and met a kind shop owner. He is 78 years old and experienced the world war II. We talked for a while and he told me a lot of stories. Finally he gave me 2 books and the books all discounted. He was kidding that he could have lunch now.

September 11, 2011 Sunday

The local students held welcome party for exchange students tonight. This was the first time I went to Izakaya(Japanese style restaurant). Dishes are not important here, alcoholic drinks and communication are the main parts in Izakaya. I do not like beer, but I can drink a bit Japanese alcoholic drinks. Some students were drunk and talked so loud and behaved wildly. Although I thought it was so noisy and annoying, people with different backgrounds could only find and understand how to find happiness themselves. We should bear and share their sadness and happiness. Alcohol can make people talk freely and released without considering face, manner…I am so lucky that I could communicate with western students in English and local students in Japanese.

October 08, 2011 Saturday

Today is my Japanese teacher’s wedding day. Exchange student were so lucky to be invited to the wedding ceremony held in shrine. We witnessed the happiest and most memorable moment of the couple. It is a really traditional ceremony and we could see the Mizoko (Japanese witch) pray for the couple, the wedding band blows fluid in the serious ritual. Some relative was wearing Kimono (costs 50000 to 300000yen) and really showed their respect to the couple. After the wedding ceremony, of course, the exchange students and the local students went to izakaya for tabehodai (ALL YOU CAN EAT). Foreign and Japanese cannot live without alcoholic drinks. My friends from Hong Kong were drunk and the Canadian told me what is Asian glow. That is interesting word for the Asian. I am glad I am strong in drinking and without the Asian glow.

December 15, 2011 Thursday

This night is a special night to me because my friends organized a farewell party for me. Although we just have met for three months, to become a friend and closer, all you need is not language or money but genuine to them. They are all nice people and helped me a lot during my study. We talked about the school life, cultures about our hometown. I really want to know them more and spend more time with them. In fact, I really learned a lot from them and they are part of my life. I really appreciate that I could meet all of them in my life. All the people I met, all the things had happened to me, it the most valuable wealth and fortune and I would treasure them. Time passes fast, and I have to say goodbye to all my sincere friends in Japan.
.

Labels: 2011/2012 Semester B