Mobility specification

Country:Japan

Institution:Dokkyo University

City:Sōka

Program:Partner universities

Activity type:Study

Academic year:2024/2025

MU faculty/department:Faculty of Arts

Study level abroad:Bachelor

🎓Hit the books! How do you rate the university experience?

Can you enroll in a course where you can learn the local language?yes

Does the university offer enough courses in English?it's alright

Are your credits converted?yes

Can you give an example?In Japan, most of the discounts are for 1 credit. As an MUNI student, I converted credits consecutivel:.
Does the course have an alternative at MUNI?
Yes -> number of credits of the course.
No -> number of credits of the optional course - in my case 3 credits.

Was there anything in the teaching methods that surprised you?At my university, it was common for classes to be taught in smaller groups than here at MUNI. In the group I attended most often, there were 6 people in total. We were each from a different country.
The teachers had more time for us, they emphasized homework, but they even made friends with us and got to know us. They recommended us different events in the area, different screenings from other faculties, etc.
I miss this approach at MUNI, but in some ways I like it better here than in Japan.

Does the university offer international students' programs and activities outside of lectures and seminars to help them integrate more quickly?The International Center hosted an Orientation Week where we met other students, toured the campus and were shown around. We were also given a comprehensive handbook that had solutions to any problem we might have.
We were also invited to external events organised by other companies who offered to take international students to, for example, a big fireworks festival (and sitting in the VIP area!!!), or local events such as taking a shrine across town where we had the opportunity to meet "regular" Japanese people :)
There were plenty of clubs, but in all of them it was a requirement to speak good Japanese. I didn't join any, but my friends went from board games, to rock climbing, to flower arranging, to boxing.
Student events are much less than at MUNI, but we had a school festival where the whole school set up a program, food stalls, attractions, concerts... In short, the longer SemesterSTART that we have at FF.

In which areas does the university offer support for students with special needs and strive to be inclusive?Psychological counseling
Barrier-free access to classrooms and dormitories
Special examination conditions (e.g., extended time, quiet rooms)
Crisis intervention
Support for LGBTQ+ students (e.g., safe spaces, counseling services)

💸Did you have to rob the bank?

Try to take a guess at what your monthly expenditures were:23000 CZK/month

Did you stay in dorms?yes

What about unexpected expenses? Did anything surprise you?Among the unexpected expenses was the insurance that we had to pay at once. It was roughly 2000 CZK, which is not a big deal, but when you move here and have to buy everything you need to live, even such an expense is quite surprising.

Do you have any tips on how to save money?I recommend shopping around 9:00 at night. Supermarkets that close around 10:00pm discount their goods by half!

🗺 Learn the ropes in a new city

How well did you manage to communicate in English?not at all

How does public transport work in the city?mostly fine

And what about transport outside the city?neutral

Where to find connections? How to buy a ticket?I normally searched for connections via Google Maps, but people were also using apps. For me, maps is sufficient because it shows where the train/bus is and its route, so you can make better decisions about where to get on/off. Maps also show the price!
I dealt with the ticket using the Pasmo app, where I set up my card, applied for a Commuter pass, confirmed with a photo of my student card, and waited a week for approval. (The app will vary by location, but it works on the same principle.) It was cost effective, and could be arranged from the comfort of home.

Did you deal with any health issues during your stay?yes

How do you rate the availability of healthcare?perfect

🤠Help create the perfect bucket list

What is a must-see in the city?There's a huge bridge that goes across the street and has stairs. It's at least 15m high and it's in a park by the river. It's such a piece of tranquility in a busy city.

What are the must-visit trip destinations?Nikko, Kamakura and of course Tokyo. :)

Share your best experience:When I made friends with the people at the Shrine Festival. Carrying a half-ton shrine on your shoulders all day, you meet all kinds of people. At the stops where people gave us food, drink and alcohol (kind of like carnival in our country), I often got into conversations. This way I got to be around the organizer of the whole event and his friends, who then brought me the best food and drink all day long, and we met up a few times after the festival to have a beer and talk and then karaoke. We are still in touch now, sending each other pictures and planning when we will meet again.
Sometimes you have to get into at least a little awkward situation, try new things and not look to others to find people who will enrich your stay abroad.

💅A nugget of wisdom to make the life easier

Did you need to handle a visa?yes

Where can it be arranged?Prague

What is needed?CoE, certificate of study at a foreign university and passport :)

How long does it take approximately?1 week

How did you get to the place?Plane

Is there anything to watch out for before the trip?Count on possible complications. I recommend arriving at least two days earlier to serve as a reserve or time to rest.

Can you pay by card?in most places

What not to forget when packing?For women who use tampons, I recommend taking a supply with you, as they are almost impossible to find anywhere.

🥳Summary

Whew, what a ride! 😮‍💨 Thanks so much for taking the time to complete our survey and for sharing your unique experience. Just one last thing. 🙏 How would you summarize your trip in one or two sentences?Japanese locals and their friends are the key to unforgettable experiences.