I am from a municipality called Breves in the northern part of Brazil, in the Amazon River basin. I majored in international politics at a national university in Amapá, Brazil. After graduating, I struggled to find a job and transferred to the computer science department at the national university in Belém. However, I couldn't develop a liking for subjects like mathematics and programming, which were very tough for me. At that time, I learned that I could apply for the Japanese MEXT1) scholarship at the consulate in Belém, so I applied.
Actually, I failed the first exam during the interview. It was the year of the Tokyo Olympics, so there was news about the Olympics everywhere. Every time I saw the news, I would think, "Ah, I failed!" and it was really painful. However, the next year, I challenged myself again and passed. Then, in April 2023, I came to Japan as a research student at Kobe University and enrolled in the master's program in October.

I would like to study environmental issues in the Amazon, particularly deforestation2) . My advisor suggested that I first look into global forest governance and the framework of international forest organizations, so I am currently researching that. In international relations, the mainstream topics are war and conflict, but I thought, "Is there something I can do for my hometown, the Amazon? Yes, I can study forest governance!" and that became my research focus.

I was able to apply for the Japanese MEXT scholarship and come to Japan. The exam was in both English and Japanese. At that time, I had no Japanese ability at all, but I had developed my English skills, such as TOEFL and other English qualifications. Then, as I mentioned, I failed the first exam. I was feeling really down, but I thought," I still want to go to Japan. What should I do to make it happen?" I decided to consider, "I will try taking the exam again next year, so what should I do?" I realized that while qualifications and abilities are important to pass, keeping a positive mindset and mental health is also very important.

I took the JLPT3) exam last July and passed in September. My score was just barely passing, but honestly, I was rather surprised. I thought, "There's no way I passed" and "I'm definitely going to fail," but I was helped by the listening section (laughs). The kanji, vocabulary, and reading sections were really difficult.
For listening practice, I often used the Spotify4) app to listen to Japanese podcasts5) . I recommend "Podcast YUYU NIHONGO."6) Beginners might find it difficult at first, but please try to listen until the end. For example, when saying "arigatou (thank you)," foreigners tend to pronounce the "ri" in a way that sounds English-like, but I think you'll be able to naturally acquire a Japanese-like accent and pronunciation.

It's really about pronunciation. For example, "hashi (chopsticks)" is pronounced as "ha (↑) shi (↓) ga (↓) ochita (the chopsticks fell)." "hashi (bridge)" is pronounced as "ha (↓) shi (↑) ga (↓) ochita (the bridge has collapsed)." "hashi" (edge) is pronounced as "ha (↓) shi (↑) ga (↑) ochita (the edge has fallen off)." They all sound different. I studied Japanese by myself in Brazil, but when I came to Japan, I took kanji classes at Kobe University’s GEC7) . That's when I learned from my teacher.
I am very interested in kanji. It takes a bit of time, but I create mind maps for kanji components like "hen" and "tsukuri,"8) which are called radicals, right? For example, the kanji "灘" in Nada Ward, Kobe City, consists of "氵(which is read as 'sanzui')" and "難しい (difficult)."
Additionally, the character "寺 (temple)" is also found in other characters such as "侍 (samurai)," "待つ (to wait)," "時 (time), "and "特 (special)." Is that okay? (While writing kanji like '侍’ and ’待’ on paper.) This is how I memorize them using mind maps.

I use flashcards "Anki"9) for studying kanji. (While showing the smartphone screen) There are flashcards created by other people, so I downloaded all of them, and at first, I studied with this "Japanese Core 2000". For example, this is the kanji for "美しい (beautiful)." There is an example sentence, "kono e wa utsukushii desu (this picture is beautiful)," and since there is an illustration, it is easy to remember.
I think platforms like Spotify and YouTube are good because you can study while having fun. However, I wouldn't particularly recommend Japanese manga and anime, especially shonen manga and anime. It's not because they're difficult, but while it's fine to use them among friends, if you use phrases like "ore"10) or "ore no chikara misete yarou (I'll show you my power)" (laughs) with others, it's really rude, so I think it's better to avoid that.

I made friends with a senior volunteer I met through Kobe University's GEC, and we went to Kyoto to see Noh. Noh was very interesting with its singing style and various stories, although I forgot some of the names, there were also funny stories.
I also like Japanese cuisine. Currently, I am working part-time at a sake brewery called Kobe Shushinkan, which produces the sake used at the Nobel Prize banquet, called "Fukuju." I explain about sake to customers and recommend tastings. There are also customers from abroad, and this job is really enjoyable.

One issue I encountered was that my plan to travel from Tokyo to Kobe after arriving in Japan failed. I wanted to take an overnight bus, but it was fully booked, and I was all alone at Tokyo Station in the middle of the night, feeling very anxious. I switched to Plan B and tried to take a flight from Haneda Airport, but it was already late at night, and there were no trains to the airport, so I took a taxi from Shinagawa. In the end, it took me four days to arrive in Kobe from Brazil. I was very tired.
Last year, I went to see a live performance in Yokohama and made friends with an older woman there. We went to live shows and out to eat together, and I introduced her to restaurant staff as 'my Japanese mother' and I as 'her Brazilian son.' She was a very important friend to me. However, I think it was a culture shock or a cultural clash? Various small things piled up, and I ended up losing that friend. I couldn't understand the way Japanese people think, so I asked her, 'Please tell me why you are angry,' but she told me, 'Think for yourself.' I wanted to make up with her, and I wanted to send her some alcohol from my part-time job, but now it feels like we don't communicate on LINE or email anymore. That was really sad and disappointing.

My future plan has two paths: further education or employment. Hmm, I think a doctoral program would be very challenging, but it is appealing. If I have the opportunity to continue my studies, I want to do my best. If there is a chance to become a full-time employee at my current part-time job (Kobe Shushinkan), I want to take on that challenge. Right now, I can't decide anything yet.
To be honest, I don't want to go back to Brazil and I have a desire to live in Japan. I have family in Brazil, but I had no job and nothing there. I want to build a life for myself in Japan.

Studying in Japanese is certainly a big adventure. It certainly seems challenging to take on a new country, culture, and language all at once. But don't worry too much. You're not alone.
My advice is to cherish the Japanese language. For example, my classes were in English and did not require Japanese proficiency. However, I believe that if you are in Japan, you need to speak in Japanese. I brought that mindset with me.
But I understand completely. At first, I also felt very anxious about my Japanese. I was embarrassed and didn't want to make mistakes, but the Japanese people are very kind and will understand and support my efforts. You will gradually improve your Japanese at your own pace! I believe that without a doubt.
As an international student, you might face many challenges in your life in Japan, but on the other hand, there are also many wonderful and amazing aspects of Japan. Please enjoy those as well. Enjoy the shrines, culture, and especially the cuisine that you like in Japan. Lastly, when you come to Japan, be sure to challenge yourself with confidence. You can definitely do it.