UWS Japanese students
Yuki Fujitatsu
Visiting student from Kinki University
Bankstown campus
from Osaka Prefecture, Japan
I major in English Linguistics at my Japanese university, and thought that I need to study in an English speaking country, since I also wanted to learn the background cultures behind the language.
Even though I used to watch countless American movies in my childhood as a personal interest and like English as the most familiar foreign language, I actually majored in cultural study including philosophy, religion, and literature at 1st and 2nd grade at Kinki University. It was interesting. However, I wanted to learn something that is related to my future career.
At that time, I took a TOEIC test which is a major English test in Japan, and I achieved a rather decent score compared to my friends. The more I studied English, the more I began understanding it. I realized it is worth majoring in.
Then I set the goal for my study to achieve the qualification as an interpreter which requires one to pass one of the most difficult examinations in Japan. I wanted to challenge the limit of my abilities.
To be an interpreter, there is no useless knowledge. I need to acquire a broad range of knowledge. Trying to be an interpreter is an ideal situation for me where I have an opportunity to learn English and study a lot about other areas as well.
After coming to Australia, I studied at Sydney West International College (SWIC) for about 5 months. Through the period at SWIC, I greatly improved all the skills required for the situations where I need to immerse myself in English. I could have started studying at UWS from the beginning, but to acquire all the knowledge I could in the University of Western Sydney (UWS), the experience at SWIC helped me a lot. Especially, it was worth learning how to write an academic paper.
Thanks to the fact that my Japanese uni has a connection with UWS, and the professors informed me about this study abroad program. I believed UWS must be a good place to study, because those professors will not recommend if not.
Speaking of my classes in Interpreting, I think it is innovative that all the units offer two separate parts which are lecturers and tutorial. There is not such a system in Japan. While lectures offer the knowledge and theory of the area, tutorials offer the opportunity for every student to improve his/her practical skills of Interpreting. Those classes are really interesting and challenging.
The teachers in my course are very kind and keen to help students to improve their skills, and all of them are in the profession of interpreting. Regardless of whether they are in or out of the classroom, they try to offer advice for each student, tips for further improvement, and share their knowledge on the basis of their experience, so that the quality of education is very high.
At the moment, I am living in the UWS accommodation on Bankstown campus. On my campus, the computer lab is available all day, and it takes just 30 seconds to reach from my room. The library has an incredible amount of resources. Moreover, by using the web-search system, you can find any kind of reference at once. There are also many places for students' recreation, for instance, a gym, and a common room where I can watch Fox Tel, and play pool with my friends. Those are great. I don't even feel like going back to Japan.
Through the study at UWS, I have acquired practical knowledge and applied skills which will be useful for my future career as an interpreter. I will treasure all the study and experience. I am really leading a full and solid life as a student at this university.
As a result of Australian policy of multiculturalism, there are culturally different kinds of people in Australia. And people from different backgrounds all have very different ways of thinking, and characters. In many respects, I think this is a large country. The atmosphere is tranquil, easy-going, and peaceful, so I also have more tolerance towards things. In Japan, I used to be impatient and frustrated. However, now I can always have room in my mind.
I can see my future prospect that was just a dream once, thanks to the study experience at UWS. The way that I need to go forward is clear. I'll continue studying to be an interpreter. Everything that I have learnt in Australia supports me.
Finally, I have a word of advice to the next UWS students. If you have a dream, or an ambition to achieve, UWS can help you find the way forward. The teachers are willing to help, and the staff at the international office are also kind and helpful.