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Studying Psychology, Social Policy, Crime and Deviance, and Personal Development.
Kyoko Hamasaki was encouraged by her teacher in Japan to love English, and she would like to encourage others to do the same.
She wants to improve her language skills while she's in Luton, then return home to finish her English degree at the Kansai Gaidai University in Osaka, and teach in a Japanese high school.
The 21-year-old is from a small island called Ehime, just south of Japan. She is used to moving around to study, and moved from Ehime to Osaka to pursue her dreams.
Kyoko has always wanted to study in England and to learn about the country and its language. So when her university gave her the option to come to England, she jumped at the chance.
Kyoko said: “It was quite a culture shock coming here as there are not many nationalities living in Ehime. I find it really interesting to meet so many different people from around the world.
I really enjoy the course I’m taking, and I enjoy looking up the words and terminology used in my psychology class.
The style of teaching in England is different to that at home. In Japan you only get lectures, you take notes and listen. However in England, seminars give you the opportunity to explore the information you have learned, and students can challenge ideas and theories in class.”
Kyoko, who is staying in University-run halls takes full advantage of the Internet facilities provided and said she loves emailing her friends about how she is getting on in England. They in turn keep her up to date on all the news back home.
She’s glad that she’s enjoying her time here, so much so she hasn’t been homesick. She has even joined the Chocolate Appreciation Society at the Student Union, and admitted the prospect of free chocolate was hard to resist!
Since moving to England, Kyoko has also visited Brighton, Oxford and London and is keen to explore more of the country during holidays.
This has not stopped her from taking advantage of the services closer to home at the University, and she has already become a familiar face at the Student Union,
Away from her studies, Kyoko would like to help others by volunteering. She has therefore decided to volunteer via the Student Community Exchange Programmes, run by the University.
This is something she didn’t get the chance to do in Osaka, so she is really relishing the opportunity.
