Student Stories
Melissa arrived in Okinawa with only basic hiragana knowledge, but thanks to ICLC’s supportive teachers, she made quick progress. She built lifelong friendships, learned deeply about Okinawan culture, and was warmly welcomed by relatives she had never met. These moments—from everyday tasks to unforgettable events—became memories she will always cherish. Melissa encourages future students to connect with locals, attend community events, and never hesitate to ask teachers for help. You’ll gain more than just language—you’ll find a true sense of belonging.
Melissa
“They welcomed me with open arms, despite the fact that they have never seen me before.”
Melissa
BEFORE COMING TO OKINAWA
I wanted to come to Okinawa to meet my family here and reconnect with them. Besides that, I was looking into kenshu scholarships here. Both would require japanese knowledge I didn't have and that's when I heard about ICLC's scholarship.
MOST MEMORABLE MOMENTS LIVING IN OKINAWA
I was very lucky to have met friends for life here. They made me dive deeper into the culture, taught me history, art and values they hold deep in their hearts, met new people and be friend them, accompanied me through the most mundane tasks and the most memorable events. I'll cherish these memories forever and look forward to seeing them again. My relatives here also welcomed me with open arms, despite the fact that they have never seen me before. They were patient, kind and so supportive of my journey here, I could never pay them back for everything they did. I'm very, very grateful for all and wish the same for every uchinanchu.
JOURNEY OF LEARNING JAPANESE
I arrived in Okinawa only having basic knowledge of hiragana, barely being able to read katakana. Fortunately, ICLC's teachers are very didactic and helped me progress quite quickly at the beginning. From that point on, things slowed down a bit and I'm now working on getting more vocabulary.
TIPS FOR FUTURE STUDENTS
If you want to dive into the culture, don't depend only on school information. Be friend locals, be attentive to every event poster people put up on the streets and always remember to check cities' websites, as they frequently post upcoming events and any other information you need. When it comes to studying, every student has their preference, but don't be shy to ask teachers for help, they're always very kind and generous with their time.
