By Olivia Shields

Hi! My name is Olivia Shields. I’m a second-year student studying Japanese language here at Waikato and will be heading over for a year of study at Kwansei Gakuin in September.

Having grown up with Japanese family members, I have had a fascination with Japanese culture from a young age. I believe that exchange will allow me to discover more about my cultural heritage and deepen my understanding of Japanese culture.

I chose Kwansei Gakuin because their Japanese language program suits my goals, and its close proximity to both Osaka and Kyoto offers a rich cultural and historical experience to explore. I have been lucky enough to make several close friends from the area, and I am excited to reconnect with friends and family.

Engaging with locals will allow me to improve my fluency, immerse myself in the culture, and discover more about Japanese history and tradition. Through my experience on exchange, I also hope to explore new opportunities that are unavailable in New Zealand.