Testimonials Europe

I can highly recommend, renting a car in Japan to see the beauty of a lot of places that are hard to get to by public transport. Therefore you need a International license (they are normally valid for 1year and cost around 15€ (in Austria as of 2023)). You need to get this you home country before coming to Japan (at least in EU countrys) (some countrys also need an additional translation of the driving license, (people from Austria don't need it) so better check for your country)

Maximilian DACHS
Graduate School of Health Sciences @ Kobe
from University of Graz
Spring 2023

Coming to Kobe was the best thing that could happen. The city is full with fun stuff to do/see, the people are very kind and willing to help and located near Osaka, between mountains and the sea, it provides everything you could wish for. You can also make nice daytrips to Kyoto. Going abroad has gifted me with many new friends from all over the globe, which share the same experiences as I do and which I will keep forever. I am grateful that i was given the opportunity to go abroad in Japan and I sure will come back sometime.

Sebastian FORSTREITER
Graduate School of Health Sciences @ Kobe
from University of Graz
Spring 2023

I had an amazing time at Kobe University and especially in Japan. The Rokkodai campus on the "mountain" is beautiful with a stunning view on Kobe and the sea. What I honestly loved the most on campus was the delicious food in the cafeterias. With the SESAMI program structure I had the flexibility to travel a lot during the semester and to get to know different parts of Japan. If you love matcha, beautiful nature, hiking, diving, skiing, Japanese food, and get to know a very interesting culture and the most convenient form of living, an exchange semester in Japan would be the right choice for you.

Dear Future Exchange students, my time here at the Kobe Unviersity and Japan was only positive. The university provides you with all the help you need if possible, the country is rich in culture, beauty, and life and I am sure that your experience in Japan will be the same. Kobe is a great location to visit all of Japan as it is in the centre of Japan and you can quickly get to several places. As well, Kobe is less touristy as other big cities so it is much better to experience Japanese culture and integrate into society. All the best in your studies!

Carl MEYER
Graduate School of Business Administration @ Kobe
from Technical University of Munich
Spring 2023

During my stay at Kobe University I felt very strong support from the administration of Kobe University and the professors. I could ask any question any time - academical questions as well as talk about private problems. It was a very enriching time not just academically but I had alot of amzing experiences, made lots of friends in and out of the university context. I learned knew things about myself and became more confident if I happen to bee in an unknown situation. I felt that it was very important to stay open, to try out new things, to meet new people, visit different places, and to not be scared to make mistakes. Like this, an exchange year can become a wonderful and enriching experience which will be valuable for your whole life, even when you return to your home country.

Antonia STAECKER
Graduate School of Intercultural Studies @ Kobe
from Free University of Berlin
Fall 2022 & Spring 2023

Kobe University offers a rich heritage and an ideal location for students. Other Japanese cities and regions are easily accessible from Kobe. The mountains combined with the sea breeze are an excellent environment in which to study. The university's libraries are full of resources and will certainly be able to meet your academic needs.

C. W.
Graduate School of Intercultural Studies @ Kobe
from University in France
Fall 2022 & Spring 2023

I greatly enjoyed my Time at Kobe University and the experience that it gave me. Japan and especially Kobe is a great place to spend a semester abroad, where you can really imerse yourself in a new culture and meet lots of different people.

Leonhard HEIMERL
Faculty of Law @ Kobe
from University of Graz
Fall 2022

Study abroad is a great opportunity to get to know more about other cultures, traditions, improve your language skills and also make you more self-confident. You will get to know new people and  maybe one of these encounters will change your life completely.

Michalina MACHULA
Graduate School of Humanities @ Kobe
from Jagiellonian University in Krakow
Spring 2022

If I can say something, it is that the staff of Kobe University is very lovely, they helped me so much in these stressful months post-covid crisis so I am very grateful for that. Also Kobe is a very nice city for an exchange since you can find mountains, sea, and city center in the same place, and also its location is very nice, you can easily visit a lot of touristy places from Kobe. And Kansai people is very nice !

Clémentine HERBIN
Faculty of Letters @ Kobe
from University of Lille
Spring 2022

It's the first time I've left home to live alone on the other side of the world. And I don't regret it at all. It can be scary because it's heading into the unknown but the people here are very welcoming, whether locals or other foreigners, there will always be someone to help you.

Japan is truly a beautiful country. The people are nice, the food is very good, the landscapes are beautiful and the culture is really different but in a good way.

In Kobe, there is everything you want. The sea, the mountains, the atmosphere of the city and the calm of nature... And for traveling in Japan, it's well located.

The best way to meet Japanese (if you don't have a very high level of Japanese and you don't take lessons with them) is to join a club. Even if most club sites are in Japanese, do not hesitate to send them an email or contact them on Instagram (in English), they will be happy with your attention for their club and there will necessarily be at least one member of the club who speaks English.

Charline EDET
Faculty of Economics @ Kobe
from University of Lille
Spring 2022