Message of students

Shin Myungshin from South Korea

Currently studying at Japanese Language Class at Yokohama Design School

I chose this school because I couldn’t forget the beauty of Yokohama when I once visited before and I thought that I could be stimulated more through students in design class since I wanted to study design. I could pass the first grade of Japanese Language Skill Test by excellent teachers who taught me about character, meaning, listening and understanding closely. I also could be the second at Japanese Language Speech Convention by foreign students at technical schools in Kanagawa last February. Thanks to teachers who guided me so hard after class. Now I plan to start new study at university. I worry a little to study totally same lesson that Japanese have. However, at the same time, I am looking forward very much to perform various skills that I learned at this school. Yokohama Design School became the most important and strong pole in my study abroad life in Japan. I appreciate this school from the bottom of my heart.

Mie Ou

Japanese Language Class 2 years proceeded course

Two years has passed quickly since I came to Japan. I wanted to receive a better education since I entered University in my home country. My cousin who had been studying in Japan searched for information about Institution of Japanese Education for me to be able to study in Japan. Yokohama Design School caught my eye at that time.
At the time of beginning to live in Japan, I was struggling with making simple conversation due to my lack of skill in Japanese vocabulary and grammar, however I have experienced receiving the warm-heartedness of a teacher during the process of being taught some new words and grammar at each lesson. I was desperately making an effort in order to be able to communicate with people; I was, therefore, carrying an electronic dictionary and a small notebook all the time when I went to school. In the lessons, because my teacher methodically taught me complicated grammar of Japanese very well, which is commonly used in real life situations, I have understood and learnt well. The programme in the school was well planned, which lead me gradually from elementary level to a higher level. I am very satisfied with both the high level and quality of the teachers and course books. Classes are divided into the morning and the afternoon class so that the students have free time for whatever they like to do such as doing a part time job in the afternoon, studying at home or in a library or having fun somewhere.
Moreover, an international environment is also an advantage of this school. There are many foreign students who are from various countries such as China, South Korea, Nepal or Mongolia. Foreign students have an opportunity to communicate with Japanese teachers and Japanese students who are in other courses in the school as well as communicate with other people who have various different backgrounds. At the last Christmas party, we had an exciting time with not only students organizing but also teachers and office staff playing games together. Looking back on the past two years staying in Japan, I can honestly say to you that Yokohama Design School has made the time of my stay in Japan deeper and far more meaningful to me.
My teacher really helped with my preparation of documents to enter University, the requirements of which were complicated because I was a foreign student. Teachers kindly do the consultation of the course and the mock interview for the students who proceed to the school. The guidance given from the teacher was very useful. Having been able to enter the University of my first choice was thanks to my teachers.
In addition, I think the public transport is convenient because the school is located near the centre of Yokohama and provides easy access to Yokohama Station and Minatomirai, just on foot or using a bicycle. The school staff assisted with any problems the students had such as obtaining a Student Foreign Register Card or direction to a post office. Therefore, I am totally delighted that I went to the Yokohama Design school. Thank you very much to the teachers.

Haku Bun

Japanese Language Class one and half a year proceeded course

I am Hiroshi Bun.
I am currently studying finance in postgraduate school in Yokohama City University. In March 2008, I graduated from the Japanese Language Course at Yokohama Design School. I came from Dairen in China together with my dream in October 2006, just after graduating from University in China. I started to study Japanese in Yokohama Design School although I did not remember all the characters of Katakana and Hiragana. Teachers in the Japanese Language Course were the first Japanese people for me to meet in my life. Their kind teaching and caring attitude really impressed me. I soon became interested in Japanese because of the teachers. I looked forward to going to school every day and studying Japanese. I came to understand not only Japanese but also the culture and customs of Japan through my teachers. Then, I participated in various events organized by the school during a period of two and a half years when I was in the Japanese Language Course. While participating in many kinds of events, it was a most precious thing for me to participate in National Japanese Speech Competition for Foreigners as a representative of Yokohama Design School, which was held in Osaka. I very much appreciated that my teacher gave me such a wonderful opportunity and corrected bad habits in my Japanese in daily practices.
In December 2007, I passed the Japanese Language Proficiency Test because of the special training from the school. At the time of passing the exam, I thought coming to the Yokohama Design School was really good for me. Later, in March 2008, I entered a postgraduate course at Yokohama City University as a result of my effort and my teacher's effort.
I have been studying the subjects that I wanted to while having a postgraduate's life. Now I am fulfilled with every day. I communicate with a lot of Japanese friends, so it is an enjoyable day everyday. I have changed since I came to Japan. Coming through the two years of my study, once again I have realized that making an effort is an important thing in life. If you make effort, your dream will become true. I will believe in these words for the rest of my life, and I will hold true to them in my future life.

Rinchinn Chou

Japanese Language Class one and half a year proceeded course / Takasaki City University of Economics College of Economics and Regional Policy Employer / Future Architect Inc

This time, I have received a request to give a message as a former graduate to the people who are coming to Japan from now on to study Japanese. It was an honour to receive the request and I wondered what kind of message I could give them, so I instantly recalled the time when I first came to Japan.
I came to Japan to study abroad in October 2002. I learned Japanese for a year and a half in the Japanese Language Course at Yokohama Design School, after this I proceeded to University, then I graduated from the University in April 2008, and I am currently working for a Japanese company. Initially it was hard for me to manage at any understanding. I often seriously thought about going back home because I felt I was being isolated from society and surrounded by loneliness. Others could not understand what I was saying, I could not understand what people were talking about and I could not see what was funny in comedy programs on TV. At such times, what supported my mind were classmates who I studied Japanese together with, my teachers and office staff at the Japanese Language School.
When my classmates and I moaned about each other's problems, I realized that everyone had a similar feeling. But still, everyone was making an effort for his or her aim in this foreign country while having unclear dreams or clear goals. Because of my mates working harder for their dreams while having anxious feelings, I think they encouraged me to not give up on my dreams before accomplishing them. Moreover, the teachers and office staff in the school dealt with us kindly. They assisted us not only with words, but also they conveyed Japanese customs and culture to us on various occasions, and helped us to be adopted quickly into a different society. When I think about it now, I can say that the period which I attended classes of three or four hours a day was really an enjoyable time for me. Anyone who is planning to study abroad in Japan will be coming here with his or her own aim or opinion. The way you go will not be steady and many difficulties will be waiting for you on your way, so I really hope that you will not lose your hope and will keep walking on a sure path which you selected no matter what happens, because mates who also work hard will be around and will watch over you with care. I hope my messages will be useful to your enjoyable life studying abroad in Japan.