Soft News: Story of a Japanese student

Shion Togawa could have kept developing his future in the flourishing city of Tokyo, however, he decided to complete tertiary study in a new environment.

Togawa - a 20-year-old Japanese national – is studying at RMIT University in Melbourne. He’s currently undergoing training in English for Academic Purposes before going on to his degree course - computer engineering.

The initial intention of deciding to study computer engineering in Australia is the difference of the course’s syllabus between Japan and Australia.

He said that computer engineering in Japan “is mostly separated” into two different specific courses - software and hardware, but he wants to study both.

“That’s why I chose RMIT, it provides both in a syllabus,” he said.

He also observes a common phenomenon in Japan among students studying for science stream subjects.

“Generally, science stream students would prefer studying locally to overseas. They are reluctant to study those subjects in English because they think it is too hard,” he said.

“Also, those courses will be taught by using Japanese in local [Japanese] universities. However, I want to be an English speaker like my father.”

Definitely, Togawa faces a lot of challenges when studying in Australia.

The gap of currency rate between the Australian Dollar and Japanese Yen experienced a significant change, especially post-pandemic (1:80 in 2018 and 1:90 in 2022, respectively).

Togawa said the tuition fee of the four-year engineering course and one-year English language course is a “huge amount” in total, therefore, he should find a part-time job to cover living expenses to reduce the financial stress on his parents.

The language barrier is a serious problem for Togawa, too.

“In Japan, we study English from 12 years old. And the educational system is not very well, merely focusing on teaching grammar, reading and writing,” he said.

“I was worried I could not understand what they [natives] said, and also, I can’t speak [English] fluently too.”

“Fortunately, I am living with an Australian family. They help me a lot.”

To improve his language ability, Togawa set a small goal for himself.

“I am studying in an English first language country, I should use English to study rather than Japanese. I should find friends from other countries, rather than friends from same country with me,” he said.

He said the pros outweigh the cons, and he stands to benefit from studying abroad.

“I have many friends from different countries, and I learn many cultural things with them,” he said.

“My English has been improved, in particular, speaking and listening.”

“I get rid of my comfort zone. I was an introvert before, however, the environment has changed me to be an extrovert.”

Togawa has a two-year gap after graduating from senior high school, but he does not worry about being late to study in university.

“The gap is long, but I clearly know what I want. Learning computer science with the English language will be my superiority, compared with peers in Japan,” he said.