JET Coordinator for International Relations - Lotte Cleemput

Lotte Cleemput, currently working as a Coordinator for International Relations (JET Programme) in Miyazaki-city, shares her experiences of the MEXT Programme.

Name: Lotte Cleemput

Alma mater (university): KU Leuven 

Current affiliation: 
Miyazaki City (Active)
FOD Finance (Belgium) (Unpaid Leave)

Where did you study in Japan ((1)university name (2) city located in):
Nagoya University (Nagoya)

General atmosphere of the city you stayed in:
Outside of a City Center, so energetic while also still some greenery, perfect for me.
 
Research theme:
競技かるたの起源について (The origin of Kyogi Karuta (Competitive Karuta))

Monthly housing costs (approximate):
50000 JPY (25m2 1K, including bathroom and kitchen unit, and washer outside the room)
Rent included internet and furniture (bed + desk + fridge) rent 
 
Monthly living cost (approximate):
About my whole scholarship was used. (120 000 JPY)
50000 rent
20000 groceries
10000 eating out
10000 transport
10000 water + electricity + gas
10000 Hobbies
10000 Buffer
^ this was my personal budget in 2018-2019 
 
Period of studying in Japan:
1 year, Sep 2018-Sep2019

• What is your background leading up to Studying in Japan, and what is your background till now (after your study in Japan)?

I studied Japanese Studies at KU Leuven and went to Japan in my 3rd year as an exchange student. I've been interested in Japanese culture, but even more the language ever since high school, so this was a great opportunity to see if what we could learn in textbooks or online, was really how it was like living in Japan for real. 
 

• What was your experience like and how was it when choosing the school to apply in Japan?

I applied for schools using the following method, first I checked the list that our university had ties with. Then I tried to find out which of these had a karuta-club, and then chose 3 out of the final 5 after checking out their websites, how the climate was, etc etc... 
 

• What was your experience with applying for the MEXT Scholarship, taking the examinations and passing them?

 I was very nervous and feared I might have no chance. I wasn't a bad student but I was definitely not the best of the class either. I however did have the passion to do whatever it takes to get to Japan and experience Japanese life for myself, and thus am very glad I did challenge myself to try even if I thought I would sign up for failure by trying. 
 

• Did you study the Japanese language? If yes, how did you manage?

I did at university and before the test I tried listening to series, and drama's only in Japanese to prepare myself even more. In hindsight I should have also crammed a bit more kanji, as that was definitely my weakest point on the test itself. 
 

• How did you prepare yourself for studying abroad?

Once I got the place I would go to study, in my case Nagoya University, I looked around the schools website, city website, asked friends and family if they knew anyone around and tried to get as much information as possible. I also made sure to have enough clothes, since I was still a bit heavier back then and was afraid that I might not be able to find certain pieces in my size. (which is both true and not true depending on where you shop so don't worry). 
 

• How was your life in Japan?

 All in all it was very fun! We had a class with people from all over the world, though most of Asia, only me and someone from Poland were from Europe. But there were people from countries I had not even heard of and in the end we all worked fine together as a class! Of course some got along better than others, but it was very interesting getting to know all my classmates on top of living Japanese life. The one thing I would recommend is finding a fixed friend group and keep going weekly or x-times a month. Due to school and me wanting to try out lots of things, I didn't regularly go to club activities and also tried out lots of different things. This made me get to know many people but also made it so that there wasn't really anyone I could hit up if I wanted to confide in something more personal, so that's probably the one thing I'd change if I could relive this year! 
  

• What is your current job, and where do you see yourself in your future career?

At the moment I work as a CIR (Coordinator of International Relations) for Miyazaki City through the JET Program. I love it here very much and would love it if I could stay here forever, but at the same time the position is temporary (at most 3-5 years) so the future still remains to be seen.

Before leaving for Japan I worked for the FOD Finance in Belgium and am currently on leave from there. I also really loved my job back there, so I wouldn't be against returning either at all. There however is something to be said for living in this tropical climate and just the Japanese way of living, so let's wait and see ;) 
 

• Could you leave a message for those who are aiming to study in Japan or interested in applying for the MEXT Scholarship?

If you want to try living in Japan, I recommend you just give the exam a shot.
If you don't make it, you are an experience richer, and if you do, well a wonderful life-broadening experience awaits you! So just go for it! ^-^