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AIU Voices
Student Voice: My Adventurous Trip to the Beach in Akita and My Experience with Cultural Differences – Eva Kopeckova, Masaryk University, Czech Republic.
Eva Kopeckova from Masaryk University, Czech Republic is participating in our exchange program for Spring 2025. We would like to introduce her experience at AIU.
In this article, I would like to share my experience of going to the beach in Akita. As soon as I arrived in Akita City, I wanted to visit the beach because my home country is landlocked, and I don’t often get the chance to see the sea. I set off to Akita Station, full of courage but also nervousness, as I had never travelled by train in Japan before. My biggest fear was not knowing how to buy a train ticket.
After some observation, I discovered that the price of the ticket depends on the distance you want to travel. This was a big surprise to me because, in my country, the ticket price is based on the time you wish to travel. So, I bought my ticket, and after a bit of wandering, I found the right platform. The stress was definitely worth it. I arrived at Shimohama Station, got off the train, and within seconds, I could see the sea. It was incredibly beautiful, and the wind only added to the atmosphere.
I ended up spending about two hours there, not because I wanted to stay that long, but because I couldn’t find the right bus stop. I had to wait an hour for the next train, but while waiting, I witnessed a stunning sunset. It was truly magical.
This trip taught me a few valuable lessons. First, how to use Google Translate. It’s a lifesaver! Secondly, if you’re ever in a situation where you don’t know what to do, just observe the Japanese around you or ask them for help. Japanese people are very kind and willing to assist you if you need it.
My life at AIU has been a bit like this trip – full of excitement, but also a lot of nervousness.? For instance,? Japanese culture is very different from Czech culture, and there were moments when I didn’t know what to do or how to solve a problem. However, the people at AIU, especially my Japanese roommate, have been incredibly kind and helpful.
Studying abroad and immersing yourself in a new culture can be daunting, but it’s also an opportunity for personal growth. By experiencing new ways of life and meeting new people, we learn so much about ourselves.