{"id":24100,"date":"2015-04-20T09:28:27","date_gmt":"2015-04-20T13:28:27","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blogs.studentlife.utoronto.ca\/lifeatuoft\/?p=24100"},"modified":"2015-04-20T09:28:27","modified_gmt":"2015-04-20T13:28:27","slug":"the-university-of-tokyos-hongo-campus","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.studentlife.utoronto.ca\/lifeatuoft\/2015\/04\/20\/the-university-of-tokyos-hongo-campus\/","title":{"rendered":"The University of Tokyo’s Hongo Campus"},"content":{"rendered":"My courses this semester are divided between the University of Tokyo's two campuses: Komaba and Hongo. I spend most weekday mornings at the former\u00a0before catching a train across the city to the latter.\r\n\r\n
\"This<\/a>
The entrance to the University of Tokyo's Hongo Campus.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\r\n\r\nHongo is located at the site of the original Tokyo Imperial University, and is home to the university's original departments: law, medicine, literature, and engineering. Meanwhile, Komaba Campus most notably features the department of arts and science. This division of departments has an important implication for exchange students pursuing double-majors; in many cases, it's necessary to make the fifty minute trip between the two campuses in order to take a combination of courses that fulfills both majors. In my case, most of my East Asian studies courses are at Komaba, while\u00a0my\u00a0political science courses, oddly enough, fall under the law department at Hongo.\r\n\r\nBut travelling between the two campuses really isn't so bad; I read and listen to music on the train to make the commute easier and more productive. Studying at Hongo has also given me the chance to explore a\u00a0number of new and exciting areas in Tokyo. The Hongo San-Chome area surrounding campus is packed with cozy restaurants priced with students in mind. This neighbourhood\u00a0also features an\u00a0abundance of natural scenery. For instance, here's a garden located about ten minutes from campus: \"This<\/a> Meanwhile, Sanshiro Pond is a great place for\u00a0relaxing within the confines of Hongo Campus:\r\n\r\n
\"This<\/a>
Sanshiro Pond located in Hongo Campus [source<\/a>]<\/figcaption><\/figure>Hongo is a relatively quiet area of Tokyo, but its close proximity to\u00a0the more lively area of Ginza provides students with an environment that easily allows for both studying and hanging out.\r\n\r\n
\"This<\/a>
Ginza [source<\/a>]<\/figcaption><\/figure>This is my last post, so I'd like to offer\u00a0some concluding remarks. I can't recommend studying abroad enough. <\/strong>My time here has been both academically and socially enriching, and I've learned some new things about myself along the way.\u00a0That being said, I firmly believe that my time here has been rewarding because I've actively seeked ways to make the most of it. A\u00a0year abroad is, like most things, what you make of it. It's a personal experience - the\u00a0value and purpose of which differ from one individual to another. I'm not going to succumb to the cliches that many travel brochures and study abroad programs present\u00a0- that going to other countries necessarily \"broadens your horizons\" or \"completely changes your outlook\" (whatever that means),\u00a0because it doesn't necessarily.<\/a>\u00a0However, traveling at least provides certain opportunities that are often\u00a0difficult, if not outright impossible, to attain\u00a0at home, whether you choose to seize them or not.\u00a0My time here has been\u00a0incredible, mainly because I've pursued my Japan-related interests and made great friends. Being in Japan has\u00a0given me the opportunity\u00a0to continue my studies, while\u00a0stepping outside of Trinity College. My time at the University of Tokyo has also reaffirmed my desire\u00a0to live\u00a0in Japan after graduation. In this way, studying abroad has given me a chance\u00a0to reflect on my past years at U of T, deeply enjoy the present, and prepare for the future. I hope your exchange is just as rewarding as mine has been.\r\n\r\nSee you around campus in September.\r\n\r\n-\u30d6\u30ec\u30c3\u30c8\r\n\r\n