Uppsala University, Sweden
Modern Education Course
C.T.
August 2025 ~ June 2026

1.Reasons for Studying Abroad and Preparation
　I decided to study abroad because I wanted to learn about education in another country, especially in Sweden, which is known for its advanced education system. Also, I was interested in improving my English skills and experiencing different cultures.
　Soon after entering university, I started to collect information about studying abroad. I consulted with staff at the Center for Global Education and Collaboration at the Matsumoto Campus. After moving to the Nagano Campus, I also attended presentations by students who had returned from studying abroad. Through these opportunities, I learned more about studying abroad and started to prepare for my own experience. About one year before I went to Sweden, I took the IELTS test and got the required score. After that, I submitted my application for the study abroad program.
　My advice is that if you are interested in studying abroad, you should get the required IELTS or TOEFL score as early as possible. Starting to prepare early will give you more time to think about what you want to do during your study abroad experience.

2.My Learning Experience
　My learning experiences during my study abroad were very valuable. I learned about topics that are not usually covered in Japan and had opportunities to discuss them with international students from different countries. In particular, I found the courses "Education and Teaching: An International Process" and "Language and Culture in the Classroom" very interesting.
　In the former course, I first learned about the basic education policies in Sweden and then had a three-week field study at a local elementary school. At the school I visited, there were many systems that were different from those in Japan. For example, all the materials used for learning, such as pencils and notebooks, were provided by the school, and breakfast was also provided. I was also impressed by the fact that many adults other than the classroom teacher, such as teaching assistants, were involved in the school.
　In "Language and Culture in the Classroom," I learned about minority languages and children who grow up in multilingual environments. Compared with Japan, learning together with European students who had grown up in multilingual environments allowed me to hear different perspectives on topics such as the development of identity and the role of one's first language. Through these experiences, I felt that I was able to broaden my perspective.

3.Daily Life
　My dormitory was also a place where I could challenge myself. Thanks to living with my dormitory members, I was able to take on many small challenges, such as organizing a Japanese food party and practicing English in my daily life.
　At the Nation*, I participated in student events such as Gasques (traditional dinner event for students)and enjoyed spending time with my friends at the Nation's café and pub. In addition, I joined the Nation's orchestra. Through participating in the orchestra, I was able to expand my friendships with local students and had many valuable experiences, such as having opportunities to perform at various events.
　In addition to these experiences, there is something else I felt throughout my life in Sweden, a Nordic country. I felt that Swedish people live in harmony with nature. During the winter, when it began to get light around 8 a.m. and became dark as early as 3 p.m., I spent more time at home cooking and baking with friends. When spring came and the days became longer, many people began to eat lunch outdoors, knit on outdoor benches, or study outside when the weather was nice. This was a scene that I had never seen in Japan. I thought this lifestyle, in which people adjust their lives according to nature, was very wonderful.

4.Conclusion
　Looking back on my study abroad experience in Sweden, it was a very valuable and meaningful period of my life. I would like to thank my past self for making the decision to study abroad. My study abroad experience also encouraged me in choosing my future career path. Before studying abroad, I was unsure about becoming a teacher. However, while I was studying abroad, I thought about how I could make use of this experience in the future. I then realized that I wanted to become a teacher and share my experiences directly with children. This experience gave me more confidence in my decision to become a teacher. I believe that the experiences I had, and the things I saw and heard during my time abroad, can be used directly as teaching materials in the classroom.
　Finally, I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the professors and teachers who guided me throughout my preparation for studying abroad, the university staff who supported me with the application process and scholarship arrangements, and the students who had studied abroad before me and shared their knowledge and experiences. I am deeply grateful to all of them. Thank you very much.

* Note on "Nation":
In Uppsala, "Nations" are traditional, student-run non-profit organizations with a history of over 350 years. There are 13 nations in total, serving as the social heart of student life by offering housing, scholarships, pubs, cultural activities (such as orchestras and choirs), and sports clubs.
(Reference: https://www.uppsalastudent.com/the-nations )