Details

• Japan
• MAECO-22
• Graduate
• WS 2025
• Time spent at the partner university: 4 months

1. Preparation

I prepared for my exchange mainly by reading previous exchange reports and researching extensively online. I found the reports from former students especially useful because they gave practical insights into daily life and what to expect at Hitotsubashi University. The university itself was extremely supportive and helped us organize everything very efficiently. Information regarding accommodation, eSIM options, administrative procedures, and general preparation was clearly communicated in advance, which made the organizational aspect of the exchange very easy and stress-free. I travelled to Tokyo by flight from Brussels, which was convenient and offered many available connections. To prepare for everyday life and the cultural experience, I also watched many YouTube videos, Instagram reels, and read online blogs and reports about Tokyo and student life in Japan. This helped me better understand Japanese culture and made me even more excited for the exchange experience.

2. Accommodation

Finding accommodation was very easy because student housing was guaranteed through the university. The university provided clear instructions and support throughout the process, which made everything very straightforward and stress-free. The accommodation was also relatively affordable for Tokyo, costing only a few hundred euros per month. I stayed in a student dormitory, which I would definitely recommend to future exchange students. The dorm was located around 40 minutes from the university. At first this sounded quite far, but in reality the commute passed very quickly because students usually travelled together from the dorm to campus. It was also a great way to socialize and meet other exchange students. Although the dorm was not located directly in central Tokyo, the public transportation connections were excellent and made it very easy to access the city. Japan’s transportation system is extremely efficient, so distance was never really an issue. Overall, I was very satisfied with the accommodation experience and would strongly recommend staying in the university dormitories.

3. Academic life at host university

The university campus was very beautiful and had a great atmosphere. I really enjoyed studying there, as the environment felt both academic and welcoming. Compared to WU Vienna, the academic workload felt more flexible, which I appreciated a lot because it allowed me to travel and explore different parts of Japan during the semester. Most courses were based on presentations, reports, and essays rather than very intensive final exams. The professors in the graduate economics courses spoke very good English, which made following the classes and participating in discussions easy for international students. One thing to mention is that I was only able to complete 24 ECTS during my exchange. However, for me, the experience of living and studying in Japan was absolutely worth having to complete a slightly higher workload during the following semester at WU Vienna. Overall, I had a very positive academic experience at Hitotsubashi University. My favorite course was Advanced Environmental Economics, which I found both very interesting and well taught.

5. Every day life in the host country

Everyday life in Japan was very exciting because there was always something new to experience. I spent a lot of time travelling, trying new foods, and discovering interesting products in grocery stores and convenience stores. Daily life itself felt like part of the cultural experience, which made the exchange especially memorable. There were also many opportunities for social and leisure activities, and I never felt bored during my stay. Meeting people was very easy, especially because I lived in the student dormitory, where exchange students quickly became friends and often explored the city together. Public transportation in Japan is relatively expensive, even for only a few stops, so the costs can accumulate over time. However, the transportation system works perfectly, is extremely reliable, and makes it very easy to travel around Tokyo and the rest of Japan. I also felt very safe in Japan throughout my exchange, especially as a female student. The high level of safety and organization greatly enriched my overall experience and made everyday life very comfortable and enjoyable.

6. Testimonial

My exchange experience was truly unforgettable and full of amazing experiences from beginning to end. Right after arriving in Japan, I climbed Mount Fuji and then travelled to South Korea, which was an incredible start to the semester. During the semester, I made many close friends in the dormitory, and together we travelled around Japan, visiting places such as Kyoto, Osaka, Tokyo, and many beautiful natural areas. One of the highlights was definitely doing a road trip through Japan, which I would highly recommend to future exchange students. After the semester, I also travelled to China and Thailand, which made the exchange even more special. Overall, the exchange gave me unforgettable memories, amazing friendships, and a much broader cultural perspective.