礼 (LI)

Voices of International Students

Jul 27, 2026

College of Knowledge and Library Sciences, School of Informatics

From China

礼 (LI) — Wearing Hanfu the traditional Chinese clothing at International Day

What sparked your interest in this university?

First, I was attracted by the university's location. The biggest campus is in Ibaraki Prefecture, but it is still not too far from Tokyo. Studying here feels like living between two typical sides of Japan: the energy of the city and the calmness of the countryside. Second, the campus is extremely large, which gives me the feeling that many unexpected encounters are still waiting to happen. I was looking forward to meeting interesting people, discovering new places, and experiencing wonderful and marvelous things I had never imagined before. This openness and sense of possibility were what first made me interested in the University of Tsukuba.

What aspects of Japanese culture or customs surprised you? How did you adapt to these differences?

Before coming to Japan, I already enjoyed Japanese media, such as anime, dramas, and other video works. Because of that, I had naturally gained some understanding of Japanese culture and everyday customs, even before actually living here. After arriving in Japan, I tried to keep an open and calm attitude toward cultural differences, so I did not experience a very strong culture shock. Of course, there were still small differences in daily life, communication styles, and social rules, but I gradually adapted by observing people around me and asking for help when needed. Rather than feeling shocked, I often found these differences interesting and worth learning from.

What do you enjoy about Tsukuba?

What I enjoy most about Tsukuba is its spacious and relaxed atmosphere. There are many parks around the university, and nature feels very close. The space here is open and not too crowded, so it does not make me feel mentally pressured. I like singing in the park, going to supermarkets with friends, sharing large Costco family-size packages, and exploring restaurants we have never tried before. Tsukuba is not as busy as a big city, but it is also not completely quiet or isolated. I think its charm lies in this balance between liveliness and calmness. It gives me room to enjoy both social life and personal time.

What do you hope to achieve during your time here?

During my time here, I hope to grow through encounters with new people, new ideas, and new experiences. More specifically, I would like to achieve good academic results, meet excellent students and teachers from different countries, and actively participate in extracurricular events, seminars, and cultural exchange activities. I also enjoy recording my daily life through writing, photos, and videos, and sharing them on Chinese social media. Through these posts, I hope to introduce more people to student life in Japan and create opportunities for communication. Also, as a Chinese student studying in a highly international environment like Tsukuba, I would like to help others see the friendly, interesting, and diverse sides of Chinese culture, including our food, clothing, and everyday life.

What do you think makes the University of Tsukuba special?

I think the University of Tsukuba is special because it is very open and inclusive. This can be seen from its wide range of academic fields: besides humanities, science, and engineering, there are also art and physical education. As a student in an interdisciplinary college who is also interested in design and art, I have taken many different courses, moved between various buildings, and gradually created my own bicycle route across this huge campus. From the fountain where Yui and Gendo Ikari from Evangelion are said to have walked, to the Kasuga Area, the former site of the University of Library and Information Science, Tsukuba has both a romantic side, and a rigorous side that reaches toward science. While studying here, I hope to continue discovering more of its charm.