STUDENT INTERVIEW: Heikki Ruuska (AIJP)

Heikki Ruuska

This week's interview was done by new admissions coordinator Patty Lo, and she caught up with someone she already knew, Heikki from Finland.

Patty: Thanks for taking the time to do the interview.
Heikki: No problem.

P: How long have you been in Japan now?
H: One year. I came to Japan in April 2002.

P: Of all the places you could have gone in the world, why did you choose Japan to study a foreign language?
H: (thinking)......Because it's interesting; so different from Finland. Other European countries and America are too similar. Ever since I was a child, I've always been interested in Asian culture. Another reason is that it's nice to be in a country with a high standard of living.

P: Which program are currently studying on?
H: AIJP.
P: When you first came to Yamasa which class were you in?
H: K class.
P: And I've seen from the new class lists that you're in A class. You've really progressed well! (Editor's note: classes run in alpahabetical order - A being the highest and Z (for example) being the lowest)

P: Which part of studying do you find is the hardest?
H: It has to be kanji, especially writing them.

P: And how are you doing in your new class?
H: I guess I'm doing alright.....but it's only been two days so I'll see how it goes.

P: What do you think of the accommodation you are staying in at the moment?
H: Well, no complaints. It's nice. It would have been good to have a bigger fridge/freezer because the one we have now is a bit small for two people. Maybe a bigger TV as well and a nicer frying pan, but we bought another one so there's no problem. Oh, and it can be cold in the Winter as we don't use the air-conditioning because the electricity bills are high.
P: Can you tell me where you're staying?
H: Yeh, I'm in Residence L.

P: Have you visited any places other than Okazaki since you've been in Japan?
H: Well, I've been to a few places. Aichi-ken extensively, Takayama, Hakuba in Nagano-ken for skiing. Going a little bit further, Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka....and even further than that, Himeji, Hiroshima, a few places in Kyushu, but mainly Kumamoto because my brother used to live there.
P: Was he an exchange student or.....?
H: Oh no, he was studying at a language school. He came before I did. Ah, by the way, I've also been to Nara!

P: Amongst all the place you've been to here, which is your favorite?
H: I like them all actually. Regarding nature, I would say Nagano. Culture-wise is would have to be Nara - small but very nice. As for Kyoto, it's also nice, but too crowded for me.

P: So what are you're plans after you finish studying at Yamasa?
H: Staying in Japan and have some fun........You mean a serious plan? Really, stay in Japan and have fun is good enough for me.........

P: Any advice or suggestions for new students?
H: You know, something tells me enormously that we should not just study at school, but make friends with Japanese people. Enjoy yourself by emmersing in Japanese culture. Try to go along with it and try to live it...the language as well. Although I have to say it's very hard in the beginning. And beware that you'll forget other languages you knew before you arrived. That's all.

P: Thanks for being this week's interviewee.
H: You're welcome. Oh, one more thing. Please tell new students to buy the Seishun 18 kippu and travel a lot, see something different. That's what I did.

P: Okay, I will. Thanks again.