Hello, all!
Today, I gave an interview with Alexandra who is from Sweden. She has been going to a fashion school in Japan since 1 year and 4 months before. I asked her about student life in Japan.

There are a lot of chances in Japan.

Sari “Nice to meet you.”
Alexandra “Nice to meet you too.”
Sari “At first, could you tell me why you decided to come to Japan?”
Alexandra “I came to Japan in order to go to the fashion school. I like Japanese style fashion and there are a lot of chances in here.”
Sari “What do you mean “chances”?”
Alexandra “You know, Japan has more schools and jobs than Sweden, because Japan is the one of the biggest fashion countries. I went to a language school and study Japanese before getting entered to the school that I’m going now.

Shared house is hot among foreign students

Sari “Why did you decided to live in a shared house?”
Alexandra “I didn’t know how long I will live in Japan, so I think getting a complete suite of furniture would be a waste of money.”
Sari “I agree. Shared house let foreigner students start their life in Japan easily.
Alexandra “Absolutely. Also, It was good for me that my house has a big table and dining room, because I often need to cut big cloth for making clothes as homework.

Conversation in English and Japanese

Sari “What are benefits for you to live in a shared house?”
Alexandra “When I went to a language school, my share mates taught me Japanese that I didn’t understand in homework. And I don’t feel lonely because they say hello or good night to me everyday.
Sari “Sounds good. Do you usually use Japanese in this house?”
Alexandra “Mostly I do. I speak English when I talk to a girl who studied in the U.S. and came back, because she wants to keep her English ability.

How about Japan?

Sari “What is hard for you to live in Japan?”
Alexandra “Well, actually I am a vegetarian, and I can’t eat anything in the ordinal restaurant in Japan. Since my friend found and told me a good vegetarian restaurant, I usually go there.
Sari “That’s hard.”
Alexandra “Definitely. And other one is to speak in polite way to elder people. I needed some time to get used, because I didn’t have the culture in Sweden.
Sari “Did you have any troubles in communication with Japanese or troubles in living this house?”
Alexandra “No. I’m getting along with all share mates, and if there is any inconvenience, the maintenance company deals with it quickly.

Busy but fulfilling days

Sari ”Could you tell me more about the fashion school?”
Alexandra “it’s at Shinjyuku and I am a 3rd year student. I have much homework and take part in it even on weekends. It is so hard but very fulfilling.”
Sari “Even on weekends? That is so hard.”
Alexandra “Yes, I had homework only twice in 8 months when I went to a fashion school in Sweden! You know, more homework I do, more knowledge I can get.

Her dream is to launch her brand as a designer.

Sari “What specifically do you study?”
Alexandra “Well, I am taking part in a fusion of traditional and modern Japanese fashion. It is very challenging because I don’t have so much knowledge about Japanese traditional fashion. It is cool and interesting though“
Sari “What are you going to do after graduation?”
Alexandra “I hope I work for a fashion related company in Japan. After Gaining experience in the field, I want to launch my new brand someday.

Clothes that she own designed and made

Sari “Are you sure you made it? I really like it!”
Alexandra “Thank you. I got so excited when a model wearing it were put on a famous fashion website.

Following a dream

Alexandra who took part in today’s interview is following her dream and studying in Japan. She told me about her life very cheerfully even though it must be very hard to do many assignments in foreign language and live abroad. I really admired her that her will is so strong that it can overcome difficulties.

Check the information of Alexandra’s house below!

Nakano Machiya

This house is for women only. Located on Nakano, next stop from Shinjuku. It has nice and girly furniture and everywhere in this house is very clean. It is very international house that 3 members are from abroad.