Akita International University, Akita, Japan (Oussama El.)

Konnichiwa Minna-san!!!! 

Did I get your attention? Hahaha Great :p  

Today a new post about another exchange and yes this time it's in Japan!!! Yaaaaay 

A student from AUI is sharing with us today his life experience during his one YEAR exchange to Akita International University in Japan.

Let's discover together how it was!! 

Konnichiwa! My name is Oussama El Houcini. I am a Business Administration student majoring in Finance and International Business. Over a year ago, I chose the bilateral exchange program offered by AUI to go study abroad for one full academic year in Japan: the country of samurais, sushi and cherry blossom!

I had the chance of spending those exiting 12 months at Akita International University (AIU) in Akita city. AIU is not just one of the best universities in the country but is also the only English-speaking liberal art public university in Japan!

About Akita:

Akita city is the capital of Akita prefecture in the Tohuku region of Japan. The region is known for, among other things, its scenic beauty, its beautiful women, the Akita Komachi rice, the Akita bread of dogs, and lots and lots of snow. Speaking of snow, if you turn into a cry baby every time it snows, don’t go to Akita! After all, the city is among the world ten snowiest cities and is located in the world snowiest country!
Despite it being a relatively small city, Akita offers all possible necessities: shopping malls, restaurants, bars, karaoke clubs... The Senshu park is the main destination of many AIU students on clear sunny days.

Academics:

The academic year at AIU is divided to two semesters and a winter program.

At AIU course prerequisites don’t exist! Yes, you heard it right, although not advisable, you can take an entrepreneurship course without having any academic business background!

AIU offers a wide selection of courses that could be divided into three main categories: Global Business, Global Studies, and the Japanese Program. As a BA student, I took several business courses including Entrepreneurship, Japanese Finance, Japanese business culture, and corporate finance.

I highly advise students going to AIU and Japan in general to take elementary Japanese courses. The amount of knowledge I acquired through the two Japanese language courses I have taken did not make me anywhere near fluent but did make my daily-life in Japan, my socialization with the people, and traveling much easier.

Food:

What can I say about Japanese food…. Hmm… to me Japanese food is simply pure happiness... Also…. No, Japanese food is not just about sushi and ramen noodles.

AUI exchange students studying at AIU are granted a meal card offering them with three meals a day. The meals at the university’s cafeteria are actually not bad, while most of the dishes offered are from the Japanese cuisine, there is often a good variety of dishes to choose from (3 to 4 options). Also, during lunch and dinner, students have free access to unlimited rice and miso soup!

Student life:

There are several student clubs to choose from when attending AIU. Clubs are a great way to get to know people and to fit in! Compared to AUI, clubs at AIU seem to be more relaxed and more on the fun side! Now, allow me please to practice my marketing skills: 
IF YOU GO TO AIU, JOIN THE IAC. (INTERCULTURAL AFFAIRS COMMITTEE) THEY ARE FUN.

The university’s RCOS (research and community outreach services) also organizes several often-paid weekly activities with collaboration with the local community in Akita. These activities allow you to learn more about the Japanese culture, have fun, and even make some pocket money!

Dorms:

Students have the four options when it comes to housing: Komachi Hall, Global village, University Village, and Sakura Village. During my three semesters at AIU, I have stayed in Komachi and can easily recommend it to others.

Komachi Hall offers student with double occupancy rooms which despite their relatively small size (compared to AUI rooms) offer all the basic necessities. Because the newly admitted Japanese students are required to stay in Komachi for their first year, Komachi is more than a dorm and is a great space for socialization. Actually, the Komachi lobby is easily the number one hang out spot in AIU!

One final advice: Travel as much as you possibly can, it would be worth it! I personally had the chance to do a lot of traveling throughout the country and visited tons of cities including Niigata, Kyoto, Kumamoto, Nagasaki, Hiroshima, and of course Tokyo!

Yama-dera

Forest Near AIU

First Snow in Akita

Akita International University Festival

Akihabara

Asakusa

Tokyo Tower

Sumiyoshi Taisha, Osaka

Traditional Japanese Performances, Yamagata-shi

Thank you Oussama for your post!! :D

Hope everyone learned some interesting facts about Akita International University, some tips about the life there and what to expect. And don't forget what has been said, if you get to go there, TRAVEL as much as possible !!!

Stay tuned for the next exchange life experience...!