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Late last year, while on exchange in the UK, I traveled to Finland to visit a fellow APU student who was studying abroad there. It was my first time spending New Year’s Eve outside of Japan. Ringing in the New Year during my exchange program was a truly special experience. Despite the freezing temperatures, I found myself captivated by the subtle warmth of the Nordic atmosphere.
Every day brought new scenes that stole my heart—visiting cozy lakeside cafes with my friend, exploring local markets, and witnessing a way of life that maintains a perfect harmony between tourism, tranquility, and nature. Spending New Year’s in Finland was more than just a long vacation; it was a time when my own world expanded by connecting with someone else’s passions.
At the same time, this trip made me realize once again how wonderful the environment at APU is, where we all respect and celebrate each other’s unique interests. After discovering the magic of Northern Europe on that trip, I returned in the spring with friends I met in the UK to explore four countries: Finland, Sweden, Norway, and Denmark. The Nordic landscape in spring, filled with light and so different from the silence of winter, is a world I only discovered because of the connections I made at APU.
This experience taught me the true essence of an exchange program: how encountering different values can broaden your horizons. It was a time that reminded me how human connections make our travels richer and our learning deeper.
Nordic spring in Norway
Hello! My name is Mayumi, and I am a third-year student in the College of Asia Pacific Studies. I would like to share the unique features of APU, as well as my experience studying abroad in the UK for a year. I hope my posts can inspire readers who are considering studying at APU or taking on new challenges. Looking forward to connecting with you!
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