MY EXPERIENCES AT COLLEGIO NUOVO
It’s been almost a month since I returned to Japan. Spending time in Tokyo, it feels as though that year I spent there was just a dream. But sometimes, in unexpected moments of my daily life, I feel a sense of discomfort, or I find something that used to seem ordinary to be amusing. In those moments, I realize: «The one year I spent in Pavia, 15 hours away by plane from here, was not an illusion but something that is deeply rooted within me».
I chose Italy as my study abroad destination without a solid reason. It was something perhaps unforgivable for someone planning to spend a year abroad, but I had absolutely no reason to choose Pavia. Therefore, explaining why I chose Italy for my study abroad was difficult. If I had to say something, it would be that the word “Italy” simply had a very attractive ring. It might be influenced by things like “Italian cuisine, culture and people” that I had encountered since childhood. That’s why the time I spent thinking about living in Italy was a time that filled me with excitement, even though I couldn’t actually imagine the specifics of daily life there. However, I couldn’t just think about spending one year in Italy.
After arriving in Pavia and starting life at Collegio Nuovo, I spent the first six months adjusting to the new experiences, such as dormitory life, interacting with friends, and talking Italian with the staff. Later, I had the opportunity to teach Japanese language classes to students unfamiliar with the language and culture, which helped me reflect on Japan. With the support of students and friends, I was able to make the lessons engaging and adaptive. The lessons were made possible not only with the support of friends who helped me check the materials and gave suggestions during preparation for all ten lessons, but also with the help of students who attended every class and friends who shared what they wanted to do in the next lesson.
At Pavia University, I interacted with international students and took an impactful course on “Economics and Migrations”. This course prompted me to reflect on my own experience as an immigrant and influenced my thesis topic. In addition to studying, I travelled extensively within Italy and beyond, gaining a deeper appreciation for the country’s diverse history and culture.
Looking back on my study abroad experience, I strongly believe that studying abroad changes a person. There are two major changes that I particularly feel. The first is a change in my personality. While in Italy, I became much more honest with myself, especially with my emotions and thoughts. When I was in Japan, I didn’t often express my opinions directly. When I had something to say, I would often soften my words instead of saying them outright. Especially when it came to declining someone’s suggestion or proposing something different from their opinion, it was very difficult for me. This may be similar to a common stereotype of Japanese people. However, in Italy, it was more important to communicate your feelings and opinions to others. I realized that adjusting to others when you actually don’t want to or not asserting your own opinion could hurt the other person. That’s why I started thinking, «How do I feel right now? What do I want to do?» and now I can confidently say that I really like the way I behave.
The second change is in my academic interests. After studying abroad, I became interested in making foreign immigrants in Japan the theme of my graduation thesis. This stemmed from my intense experiences as a foreigner in Italy and the classes I took at Pavia University. I experienced countless challenges, from struggling at the station because I didn’t understand Italian to making mistakes at restaurants and feeling lost in conversations. Additionally, I painfully realized the complexities of applying for a residence permit due to not holding Italian citizenship. This made me realize that similar situations were happening around me as well. Seeing the students at Collegio Nuovo also sparked my interest in pursuing graduate studies. In Japan, the percentage of students in the social sciences who go on to graduate school is relatively low. However, I’ve come to appreciate the joy and the allure of pursuing academic excellence.
Finally, I want to cherish the “changed me” who I became through my experiences in Italy. This means having the ability to relativize what is taken for granted in Japan. Life can be stifling if you live by just one set of norms. I want to live a life enriched by various norms I’ve picked up in different places. And in the future, I hope to live abroad again. Because the first year of my life living outside Japan was so fun and so invaluable. I’d like to express my gratitude to the Rettrice Bernardi of Collegio Nuovo for providing such a wonderful College, to Saskia and everyone who supported my study abroad experience, and most of all, to the friends with whom I shared meals every day — thanks to all of you, I had a truly enjoyable time.
Momoko Shibuya (Visiting student Ochanomizu University, a.a. 2023-24)
