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Victoria Tothill-Brown
As a Asian Studies and International Relations major, Victoria studied at Ritsumeikan University in Japan
What was the highlight of your experience?
I had the opportunity to join a traditional dance group during my last semester and was able to travel to Hokkaido with them. It was an incredible way to try something new and improve my Japanese at the same time.
Why did you choose this particular University?
I have a history with Ritsumeikan University dating back to 2006 when I went to its feeder high school, Ritsumeikan Uji High School, for one semester. Before my Exchange, I also became involved with the students coming to UBC from Ritsumeikan.
How has this opportunity impacted your studies/career?
I feel very comfortable with living in Japan now and have no doubt that I can live and work there in the future, if that is where life takes me. I hope to be able to work there for at least some of my career, and I know that this Go Global experience really helped me to become adjusted to being in a foreign country.
How has this opportunity impacted you
I feel like I have become more open to new experiences now that I've been on Exchange, as I did some things I never thought I would ever do. I also feel much less afraid of making mistakes; I now know that I can learn as much from them as my successes, as immersing yourself in a country with a foreign language forces you to become accustomed to failing while picking up and trying again.
What would you say to other students thinking about going global before they graduate?
Just do it, what do you really have to lose? You can read all you want about a country and its people, but it's never going to compare to going to the real place. Textbooks and guidebooks are often outdated, so write your own version then come home to tell everyone else about it. You won't regret it, honestly.
