By Joel Taylor

This year I have had the incredible opportunity to spend two semesters in Japan on the intensive Japanese language programme at Kwansei Gakuin University, and one of the best parts of the experience has been joining the university’s rowing club.

Throughout the year, I raced and trained all over Japan, including at a national university regatta in Tokyo. I had the chance to row and race in different boats, including a pair, double, four, and an eight. Training was tough, with early mornings before class and long sessions on weekends, but being part of the team helped me grow in many ways.

I improved my rowing, fitness, and especially Japanese through daily conversations and learning the Kansai dialect. Through my homestay and my teammates, I have learnt a lot about Japanese culture and was able to share parts of my own culture with the team. The friendships I made have become some of the strongest from my exchange, and many of my teammates have already planned to visit me in New Zealand! Looking back, doing an exchange at KGU has been such an incredible experience! Studying abroad is an incredible opportunity which I could not recommend enough! I still have time left on my exchange, so I am looking forward to continuing to make the most of it!