Aashnai Marzan Syeda, an undergraduate student of Media and Communication at Independent University, Bangladesh (IUB), completed a five-month exchange semester at Kobe College in Hyogo Prefecture, Japan, from September 2025 to February 2025. The program provided international academic exposure through interdisciplinary coursework, Japanese language studies, cultural learning, and campus life.

During the semester, Aashnai studied Psycholinguistics, Japanese Language, Media Literacy, Theatre Studies, Japanese Literature, Gender in Modern Japanese Culture, and Japanese cultural practices, including tea ceremony, origami, koto, Japanese cuisine, and popular culture. She also pursued tutorial-based studies on French culture and feminist literature under the supervision of Professor Sato.

The academic program combined classroom learning with independent research and cultural engagement. Through coursework and class discussions, she explored language, gender, media, literature, and cultural practices while presenting aspects of Bangladeshi culture, including Baul traditions, Bangla linguistics, and Jatra theatre, to fellow students. The exchange also provided opportunities to compare social and cultural perspectives between Bangladesh and Japan through research and classroom presentations.

Beyond academics, Aashnai experienced residential campus life within a women's college, where communal responsibilities and institutional activities formed part of daily life. She also participated in chapel gatherings and intercultural activities that brought together students from different backgrounds.

Outside the classroom, Aashnai traveled to Kyoto, Nara, Kochi, Osaka, and surrounding areas of Kobe, gaining exposure to Japan's history, public spaces, and everyday life. Alongside her studies, she worked with the English Department at Kobe College, performed music at local venues, developed manga-inspired illustrations, and worked on a digital storytelling project exploring identity, distance, and communication.

Reflecting on the exchange, Aashnai said the experience broadened both her academic and personal perspectives: "The exchange showed me that learning extends beyond the classroom. It gave me the opportunity to experience a different academic environment, engage with another culture, and share perspectives from Bangladesh while developing both academically and personally.”

The exchange strengthened Aashnai's academic experience, intercultural communication skills, and understanding of international education while providing opportunities to represent Bangladesh and IUB in an international academic community.

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