Vikki Goes Abroad

Hi, I'm Vikki, I'm 17, and on 4th April 2013 I whizzed my way over to Osaka, Japan to commence my life as a Osakinarian exchange student. Planning to document the ups and downs of Japanese life on the interweb and share it with all you lovely folk. Enjoy (:

[voidstiel]

Amnesty International made this campaign to show Russia how many people around the world supports equality. Each signature is marked as a dot on the picture above, and the goal is to fill the entire map of Russia with these dots. 

So go sign it here! You only need to give them your age, gender and location.

[bertora-deactivated20150224]

i coloured a spot next to a 30 years old men from Norway thiS IS EXCITING

[raideo]

Just got a spot next to an 18 year old boy from Norway!

Also, just a heads up, they include “trans” and “other” as alternate genders to male and female! Was very happy about that, so people who are uncomfortable with male and female as the only options have at least 2 alternate options.  

Please signal boost.

[soloontherocks-moving-refol-blog]

Next to a 40 year old woman from Norway.

…wow norway jesus christ guys

[lareinitadeotono]

Next to a 15 year old girl from Norway for me.

[instigatinglittleshit]

Next to a 34-year-old woman from Norway. 

Damn man, Norway’s doing some stuff. 

[thefrogman]

[kev-n]

this is a metaphor for my life

[goodenoughforjazz]

that poor fucking cat is so confused

[goodenoughforjazz]

after a few messages an a revisit to this post, i’ve decided that this is not a cat

[vikkigoesabroad]

AAWWWW! I'm sorry to hear that, but I'm sure you'll return one day! I just know it! haha :D THANK YOU!! I'm going through AFS and I don't know where I'm going yet, but I'M SO EXCITED for it!! I went on a two week exchange with my school to Akita in April, this year though! Also, did your family give you a lot of freedom, like if you wanted to run around the block or go for a walk? And what is the weight gain like? I'll keep you updated as it comes, if you'd like! :)))

Hahahaha ohhh the weight gain... Yeah, I put on a bit ;) I actually had four host families in the time I was there, and they were all intent on feeding me the best of Japanese food - the food is SO. GOOD. and my okaasan would always make these massive feasts of meals for breakfast, lunch, dinner... Plus sushi is super cheap and you can get it from the konbini for a couple of dollars! yum ^_^

It might depend a bit on how old you are (I'm 17) but my okaasan were also really relaxed about freedom and going out on my own. At one family I used to go for runs along the river most mornings, and with others I'd go for walks into town or catch a bunch of trains to meet up with friends in the city. They were always very concerned for my safety and warned me to take care a lot but generally let me go out a lot :-) It might differ family to family though :))Definitely do! Link me to your blog x)

[vikkigoesabroad]

HIII!!! So I'm going to Japan in March next year for a year exchange, from Australia and was wondering if there were any tips you think, that might be useful; such as commuting, changing host families, clubs, school life, packing, etc. Also I was wondering where and how long you are/were there for? Could you please talk about your average, everyday, day and any other useful advice, THANK YOU!! :D

That's awesome! Ahh I hope you have a really great time! I was meant to be there for a year but was only there for 4 months in the end because my parents got divorced and it got messy. The time I had there was incredible though, I would go back in a jiffy if I had the chance :D I was in Osaka at a private all-girls school where there was a big focus on learning English. Where are you going?? :) Ok hmm advice... If you know you'll be travelling by train a lot, get a train card, they are incredibly useful. If you're catching the same route a lot, like to school, get a discount 10-trip card or 1-month card because you will save so much money, it really adds. up. Also I don't know about other exchange students but for the first few weeks I was got kinda easily frustrated, because of not understanding much and being able to communicate. Oh also its quite likely you'll get craaazy tired, way more than you would expect because your brain is working ten times more than usual every time you try have a conversation or do anything, plus there's always so much extra to take in! Definitely join a club, you will meet so many great people and they'll be crazy excited to have a gaijin with them :D My school was quite an intense one so we started early in the morning and finished late in the afternoon/evening. You stay in one classroom for the whole day and the teachers come to you. Everyone will be very very excited to meet you, I had strangers run up to me in the street and ask how tall I was, or where I was from, or try have an English conversation in the street! And everyone will always say kawaiiii whenever you try to speak :) My Japanese improved heeaps when I was there and when I came home my English was horrible hahaha I mucked up so many simple conversations :P but it quickly came back! Unfortunately I've forgotten a lot of the Japanese I learnt - I kept a Japanese diary whilst I was there and had to put half of it into google translate to read it when I tried recently. Congrats on having such an amazing opportunity! Hope you have an amazing time~~! Let me know how you go!

[brigoestojapan]

大阪 Aka my favourite city in the world

[vikkigoesabroad]

YES YES YES

[inritum]

reblog and make a wish! this was removed from tumbrl due to “violating one or more of Tumblr’s Community Guidelines”, but since my wish came true the first time, I’m putting it back. :)

[ghostdog07]

OH MY FUCKING GOD, IT’S BACK ON MY DASH.

THIS SHIT WORKS OKAY, I AM DEAD SERIOUS.

The last time I saw this on my dash, I didn’t think it would happen, so jokingly I wished I could go to a fun. concert.

AND GUESS WHAT, I WENT TO A FUCKING FUN. CONCERT.

THIS SHIT WORKS, TRY IT.

[deathklaue]

YOOOOOOO

I SAW THIS ON MY DASH THE OTHER DAY AND THOUGHT “ITS WORTH A TRY” SO I WISHED I COULD GET A 3DS

LITERALLY LIKE 4 DAYS LATER MY DAD SENT ME A PICTURE OF THE 3DS XL HE BOUGHT FOR ME WHILE I WAS AT SCHOOL

IM STILL FREAKING OUT ABOUT THIS

[doryishness]

holy fuck, I didn’t expect this to work, I was like psh, whatever it’s just a quick reblog, but I wished my Dad would actually respond back to me AND HE FUCKING DID A FEW DAYS LATER, I GOT A FUCKING TEXT FROM MY DAD TODAY WHO HASN’T SPOKEN OR RESPONDED TO ME IN MONTHS HOLY FUCK WHAT IS THIS MAGIC IT WORKS. 

[victoriaringsinyourears]

I WANTED TO SEE MY BOYFRIEND AND I DIDN’T THINK I’D GET DAYS OFF BUT THIS WEEKEND I’M HEADING UP THERE??? THIS IS CRAZY SHIT 

[lenshade]

SO LIKE I JOKINGLY WISHED FOR MY OWN LEN KAGAMINE AND THEN LIKE A WEEK LATER I GOT A LEN NENDOROID??? H ELP

[themixedbagofwhat]

WTF OKAY SO THIS SHOT ACTUALLY WORKS BECAUSE WHEN I WISHED, I HAD WISHED MY CRUSH WOULD LIKE ME BACK AND GUESS WHAT? I HAVE A BOYFRIEND NOW. WHAT THE HELLLLL?????

[wodkat]

ok I’ve said this before but IM DOING IT AGAIN THE FIRST TIME I SAW THIS, MY WISH DID COME TRUE SO I REBLOGED AGAIN AND SAID IT IN THE TAGS BUT THEN I WISHED FOR SMTH ELSE AND IT LITERALLY LITERALLY HAPPENED LIKE A COUPLE DAYS LATER WHAT THE HELL SO NOW IM WRITING THIS HERE FOR YOU BC I DONT BELIEVE IN THIS CRAP BUT STILL IT’S AN AWFULLY BIG COINCIDENCE

[acstiel]

THE BOY I FELL I LOVE WITH LEFT TO TRAVEL THE OTHER SIDE OF THE WORLD AND HAS BEEN GONE NOW FOR 3 MONTHS. WE HAVENT SPOKEN SINCE BECAUSE I DIDNT WANT TO MAKE HIM FEEL TRAPPED TO ME AND NOT ENJOY HIS TIME SO I WAITED FOR HIM TO CONTACT ME FIRST. I SAW THIS ON A PARTICULARLY LOW DAY WHEN I WAS MISSING HIM SO MUCH I CRIED FROM THE PAIN, GUYS I REALLY LOVE HIM, SO I THOUGHT MEH WHAT THE FUCK, AND WISHED HE WOULD JUST LET ME KNOW HE WAS OKAY.

GUYS.

HE FUCKING CALLED ME 20 MINUTES LATER

20 FUCKNG. MINUTES. LATER.

GOOD THINGS DO HAPPEN. AND ITS IN THIS POST.

[juststrokemyglabella]

I wish for someone to leave something in my ask.

[adweeb-deactivated20160228]

OKAY SO I ASKED FOR A HEDGEHOG AND NOW GUESS WHO HAS A PET HEDGEHOG

[omg-a-spoon]

The last kid gives me hope for humanity.

[vikkigoesabroad]

Hey everyone!

Following the general stream of life, plans have changed and I'm returning to New Zealand now instead of in December. I have had an amazing time in Japan and been incredibly lucky to have this experience; I've had the best host families, the best classmates, the best exchange student buddy... I'm going to miss everyone here so much! To everyone that was reading through this blog, thank you so much and if you're interested in going on an exchange and think it's the right thing for you to do, then I would absolutely recommend it - make the leap and apply! I don't think there's anything that can open your eyes more than to experience living in a completely different culture, learn the language, make friends, and immerse. 

すばらしかったよ！

[justagaijin]

A thing I noticed in Japan: it’s in fashion to wear Crocs.

Left is a man wearing them, and right is a woman wearing them. And not only adults wear them but also young adults.

Haha I am not sure if they’re popular in your city, but they certainly are not in mine.

[mariainjapan]

Haha so true :D

[vikkigoesabroad]

Yes yes yes I've been to shoe shops with walls covered with imaginatively patterned crocs

[vikkigoesabroad]

I went out with my host sister this evening to a traditional Japanese restaurant. As always, I will repeat the fact that Japanese food is amaaaazing. At first I was surprised by how many tiny bowls and dishes they have containing various parts of the meal. Traditionally you'll have the plate with the main, a bowl of rice, a bowl of miso soup, and perhaps a bowl or two with some stewed vegetables, or another with fruit. Today I had tonkatsu, (Japanese pork chops) which came with: Rice, udon soup, melon, and three different bowls of veges. Preparing meals is almost like a fine art with each bowl being perfectly prepared so the flavours work well together.

Yummy yummy yummy (:

[mariainjapan]

This is what life in Japan is like during the summer

When I arrive in class (I literally look like this)

My school has aircondition, soo

But as soon as I get out of class…

Be prepared… it will be worse

[vikkigoesabroad]

Went for a run this morning at 6.15 and the sun was already so high and so strong that I got sunburnt. 6.15! I cannot understand....

[vikkigoesabroad]

Today rose up to 35degreesC and it's not even summer yet. This heat will melt me into a blob on the school corridor someday soon, I swear.  I asked my host sister what the hottest month is. She said "end of August, sometimes beginning of September" WHAT ARE YOU KIDDING ME it's gonna keep this up until September???? Kill me now...

[vikkigoesabroad]

What program are you with?

I'm not actually with a program; the school here has sponsored us. They have a focus on exchanges to New Zealand and Canada and nearly all of their students do a long exchange overseas. So every year they sponsor a couple of NZ/Canadian students to study there and share about our Western culture, stuff like that. This year there's only two of us, me and Doris, but they used to have heeaaaps more, like eleven or twelve. So yep, every year the school sends out application info to all these schools in NZ and Canada where you can study Japanese, and me and Doris survived the application process :)

[blazersandpins-blog]

When people can't say your name so they settle for a horrible nickname:

[vikkigoesabroad]

So when I moved here, my teachers wrote down my name as ビッキー, (Bikkii) prounounched BIK-eeeee. And I swear. It is driving me crazy. I don't mind the 'b' part. But the high pitched BIK and the eeeeeeeeeeeeeee at the end? ASDFJKL you will kill me.

Been spending my time trying to convince people it's actually just ビキ　(Biki) which is said like Vikki with a b. 

[vikkigoesabroad]

Just realized I only have 6 and a half months left here and although that kind of seems like heaps of time it also seems like no time at all WHHHAAAAAAT WHERE HAS THE TIME GONE

[vikkigoesabroad]

A short rant about media in Japan

Today my host Mum told me in an confident voice, "Westerners don't get pimples, do they?"

YES WE DO

I have also been told that Westerners don't get freckles, don't get frizzy hair, don't get bags under their eyes, don't get cracked lips, don't get bad skin. 

WE DO WE DO WE DO

Damn Japanese media for making out that Western girls are always perfect so I can't ever live up to Japanese people's expectations...