Mobility specification

Country:Japan

Institution:Shizuoka University

City:Shizuoka

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?neutral

Are your credits converted?yes

Can you give an example?I recalculated credits according to the courses I took at MUNI. Or for the course I studied in Japan I found the equivalent at MUNI and then got the corresponding number of credits.

Was there anything in the teaching methods that surprised you?What surprised me the most was the approach to the students. The teachers tried to involve us in the class and did not let anyone sit on the sidelines, everyone had to actively interact and it inspired people to be interested in the lectures.

Does the university offer international students' programs and activities outside of lectures and seminars to help them integrate more quickly?The University offers a wide range of extracurricular activities. There are a variety of social events, extracurricular clubs, various parties organized by university students, tours of the local area, trips to local high schools, etc.

In which areas does the university offer support for students with special needs and strive to be inclusive?Psychological counseling
I haven’t noticed

💸Did you have to rob the bank?

Try to take a guess at what your monthly expenditures were:13000 CZK/month

Did you stay in dorms?yes

What about unexpected expenses? Did anything surprise you?I was surprised by the various fees, which to be honest I don't even remember what they were for anymore. Anyway, I paid a lot of money when I was processing the documents

Do you have any tips on how to save money?Point cards in Japan are hidden gold. With point cards, you get various discounts, special offers, etc.

🗺 Learn the ropes in a new city

How well did you manage to communicate in English?with gestures

How does public transport work in the city?mostly fine

And what about transport outside the city?runs like clockwork

Where to find connections? How to buy a ticket?There are various apps and sites, but after Japan, the best site for me is "NAVITIME". There are different ways to buy tickets, but it mainly depends on the type of transport. For local trains, it's best to use the "IC CARD" which is a card that can be applied to buses and local trains. If one takes the Shinkansen, one can buy tickets at the station or online, and the student discount can only be applied when paying on the spot. There are also, for example, long-distance buses "KOUSOKU BUS". It is best to buy a ticket for these buses online + they are significantly cheaper than Shinkansen.

Did you deal with any health issues during your stay?no

🤠Help create the perfect bucket list

What is a must-see in the city?Definitely the so-called "Sengen jinja", "Sunpu castle" and the local tea plantations, which offer beautiful views.

What are the must-visit trip destinations?I could post cities like Tokyo, Kyoto, Nara, etc. But for me, one of the most beautiful is the city of "Fuji", located at the foot of Mount Fuji. There are beautiful shrines, beautiful nature, beautiful views of Mt. Fuji, amazing restaurants and also a museum dedicated to Mt. Fuji. For me, one of the best trips of all of Japan.

Share your best experience:The best experience was when I visited Lake Tanuki in Fuji. The lake is located right after Mount Fuji and the view of Fuji and the lake was just beautiful. When I was there, the sun was just setting and the whole of Fuji was turning pink, plus it was reflecting on the surface of the lake. Just beautiful.

💅A nugget of wisdom to make the life easier

Did you need to handle a visa?yes

Where can it be arranged?Embassy of Japan in the Czech Republic

What is needed?Passport, certificate of eligibility, passport-type photo, visa application form (available on the embassy website or on site)

How long does it take approximately?2 weeks

How did you get to the place?Plane

Is there anything to watch out for before the trip?Beware of transfers in China, sometimes they are not the safest. I know people who have missed their connecting flight due to random checks. Some have even lost their luggage altogether because of these checks. Also, be prepared for the fact that the flight usually takes 12+ hours, which can be both mentally and physically painful :))

Can you pay by card?in most places

What not to forget when packing?Good mood B))

🥳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?Very challenging, difficult, but also beautiful and rewarding. 本当にい最高だった!