Hi! My name is Adam and I am currently a 4th year
student in the Japanese Studies Undergraduate Program atComenius University in Bratislava, Slovakia. I had been
applying relentlessly to join exchange programs since
I started university but sadly, because of the Covid situation
I wasn’t able to get to Japan to study. Luckily, on the thirdtime I was able to travel.
Here at Nanzan University I am having the time of my life.
It’s a truly humbling experience being taught and guided bythese amazing teachers, and thanks to the CJS Program
BAJI, Adam
Comenius UniversityCJS Class of 2022-2023

I can improve my Japanese language and comprehension
skills on a daily basis, and that doesn’t end in the classroom.
In the Japan Plaza the main rule is that you can speak onlyin Japanese, which might sound a little bit intimidating topeople who are not confident about their Japanese, but it‘sa perfect place for anyone who wants to make new friends,
get help with homework or polish their everyday Japanese
language skills. But even beyond that, you can play
traditional Japanese games, do origami, participate indiscussions or be a part of fun events that are brought to you
by creative, kind, patient and always helpful Japanesestudents who work as teaching assistants in the Japan Plaza.
So please make sure to visit the Japan Plaza!

Going to Japan Plaza at least once during their time at
Nanzan University is an experience I would recommend to
any CJS student. As one of the language plazas both CJS andJapanese local students can use, Japan Plaza has been a great
way for me to meet new friends and practice my Japaneseskills, and it’s one of the first places I consider stopping byduring breaks between classes.
While the Japanese only rule can seem a bit daunting atfirst, there’s nothing to fear! The Japan Plaza TAs are all
Nanzan students, and they are extremely kind and do theirbest to make sure you can participate in conversations
WANG, Rachel Zhang

regardless of your Japanese knowledge. Apart from the great

University of Notre Dameconversations I’ve been able to have, I also really love theCJS Class of 2022-2023

activities you can participate in. You can take part ineveryday games and activities such as card games, origami,
and karuta, but there are also themed events, such as a
Halloween scavenger hunt and Ghibli-themed papercutting that you can enjoy with your friends. If you have any
homework questions, you can even ask the TAs for help.
Through Japan Plaza, I’ve been able to make so many
wonderful new friends in Japan Plaza that I may otherwise
have not been able to meet, and it’s been a surprisingly good
way for me to catch my breath between schoolwork andclasses.

Finding the help you need as an exchange student in a foreigncountry can be difficult. At my home university it is very common tohave a teacher's assistant in most classes whom you can sendinquiries to and get help from. Classes at Nanzan do not always havea teacher’s assistant available, and the professor’s office hours areusually limited to a few days. In lieu of this, Nanzan’s Japan Plaza
was a very valuable resource. You are welcome to come and goanytime, bringing any questions you have, whether they are related
to class or not.
Don’t have any particular inquiries? No problem! The Japan Plaza
also doubles up as a hub for full-time university students andFROSTAD, Ryan Lawrence

exchange students to gather, play games, interact, and speak

Brigham Young UniversityJapanese.

CJS Class of 2022

The secret to the success of Japan Plaza is its student employees.
Everyone is eager to help, extremely friendly, and has a desire tohelp us students succeed. I was amazed at their ability to provide
individualized support while working with so many students who
have varying levels of understanding and speaking in Japanese.
One of my favorite parts about Japan Plaza was the ability to speak
and interact with full-time university students. I was able to learn somuch! What better way to learn about Japan than to take what you
are learning in class and ask actual Japanese students?
I would recommend the Japan Plaza to every student. Take
advantage of this amazing resource!