Erasmus Experience in Sendai, Japan by sophie http://tatacerise.tumblr.com/
Why did you choose to go to Sendai, Japan?
I choose to go there mostly because I wanted to be in an unknown part of Japan, from where I didn't have any clue yet. The tsunami hit Sendai coast when I was applying to go there. I hang on I finally convince people to let me go there anyway. As I am an architecture student it was really relevant to go there even in this situation.
How long is the scholarship? How much money do you receive to help you with living costs?
it depend of which scholarship you will applied. Mine was the ulb one (socrates) and it was something around 2.000euros for the ten month I've been there. The issue of this one is that you will have the all money only when you get back from your exchange, so you will have to find the money somewhere else during the trip. But it also exist the Japanese scholarship named "jasso", but ulb have to applied to it for you. A student cannot ask it by himself. this one is around 20.000yens (200euros) by month of your stay. Only condition is to be at the japanese university each first day of month to sign a paper to received it. For my part, I worked few month before going there to have enought money to live there and enjoy travelling in japan. I just took the scholarship as kind of "reward" or "refound" when I get back in belgium.
What is the student lifestyle like in Sendai?
The only thing is to integrate in the internationnal student area and you will have a lot of fun and project with motivated students from all over the world. I made some amazing meeting when I was there and parties and travelling was perfect ! Japanese student are really nice too, but as they are not in the "exchange exitment" mood... they are more lazy to go out or travel or doing something else than working. But sendai is a great city, not to small, not too big, and with a lot of stuff around to do, to party, to visit. All the areas around are pretty and traditional, onsen, landscapes, hiking, view spot, temples and traditions or festivals...
Would you recommend the city and the University of Sendai to other students?
The university of Tohoku (sendai) is the third most famous university of Japan. It's well known everywhere in japan. It's a great opportunity to join it. All teacher was amazing and head of their knowledge. the city is named "city of trees" and it's true. You have ocean, rivers, hills and trees everywhere... and if you have (bad)luck you can also meet some japaneses black bears around some campus.
What is the food like?
As most of you know, japanese is land of sushis and makis. But not only, you will have to discover so much more dishes and junk food. A lot of traditional festival junk food, ramens, meet dishes. Eating in restaurant or junk food place can be really cheap, actually it's the cheaper way to live (fresh food is expensive). You cannot imagine how many different dishes they have. The tast is quiet similar to the french/belgium one. Not so salty, never spicy but more fishy and less starchy.
Did it cost you to find your accommodation in Sendai?
accommodation is cheaper than bruxelles in Sendai. My rent was 32.000yens (320euros). And I was leaving near the most ancient and important temple in Sendai, near lot of transportation connections, around 30m² (including kitchen, bedroom (tatami one) and my one bathroom). The only think you need to know is that japanese building almost never use double windows or any isolation. They don't have heater neither... houses are cold, really cold... they use air-conditioner.
How much does it cost to live in Sendai?
Eating your one meal is more expensive than buying already made food in stores. Food in Japan is a really good quality but price come with. But for that, it will mostly depend of how much is the Yen from the Euro when you will be there. It can various a lot of your budget... When I was there, Yen was high (100yens = 1 euro) this year it's much better (130yens = 1 euro). But I was leaving there with a budget (all inclued, rent too) = 80.000yens/month (800euros/month)
Is the language easy to get to grips with? Are there language courses available in the University?
You can follow courses at the university.... the basic level of langage can be understand quickly, but you need to be able to read hiragana and katakana. You can prepare yourself to go in japan by learning very well those two alphabets. It's the key to understand most faster everything in Japan. In japan, mostly in Sendai, you will not find a lot of people comfortable to speak english (most of them understand it but are too shy of their accent to answer) so more you learn japanese basic sentences, more you will be understand for all "every day" experiences.
What's the easiest or most economical way to travel to Sendai from your city?
Plane is the most easy/economical way from Belgium. You can arrived in Tokyo Narita airport (average flight way and way back can be around 700euros) after you have two options : take a "navette" to Tokyo central station, around 30euros and from there you can take Shinkansen to sendai (most expensive around 120 euros). or you take the navette from the airport to "shinjuku" (area in tokyo) and there you can meet the bus station (dowstair of an office building) and take a bus from willer company (you can reserved it on their website https://willerexpress.com/en/ ) and it will let you in sendai downtown (cost around 30 euros) and buses are very confortables (nothing to compare with european bus companies)
Where would you recommend to go on a night out in Sendai?
Just go kokubuncho area ! And near the "disney store" every evening groups of students meet there to go to parties !
And for eating? Can you recommend some good restaurants in Sendai?
I will just recommended to ask for Nomihodai (all you can drink) or tabehodai (all you can eat) or Tabehodai (all you can drink and eat) ! And do that in all kind of food restaurants ! you will be never disappointed ! and don't hesitated to go to eat in the street food restaurant ! they are the best !
What good cultural sites are there to visit?
Of course go to Matsushima (third best place of Japan according to Hirosaki), but also, Zao Lake, Fukushima Prefecture (yes, there is something more than just the explosion place...), blossom in Onagawa, eating fishes in Shiogama (and bug temple there too), onsen everywhere and particular in Ginzan Onsen and cutest place ever : Yamadera !
Is there any other advice that you could give to future students who are going to Sendai?
Enjoy it ! Alway go to participated to all the Matsuri (festival) events, go everywhere, enjoy the seasons... and say hi to Hirose gawa for me (^_-)~~~***
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