Many people wonder what daily life is like for students studying abroad. The routine of an international student varies greatly depending on their year, major, and lifestyle. In this article, we follow the daily lives of two foreign exchange students studying in Kobe and introduce their real-life experiences!
① Wira, 2nd-year student, Department of Computer and Intelligent Systems Engineering, Kobe University
Let’s take a look at a day in the life of Aditya Wirayuta Kaya Simto, an international student from Indonesia!
(Wira enjoying time at Mt. Rokko)
6:00 Wake up
Starting the day early!
6:30–7:00 Cooking & Breakfast
Since I often crave the flavors of Indonesia, I make an effort to cook for myself! The spicy seasoning “sambal” is essential. I buy Indonesian ingredients from a halal shop near Kobe Mosque.
8:00 Commuting to Kobe University’s Rokkodai 2nd Campus
A 15-minute walk from my apartment. I arrive early to secure a seat and review materials before class.
8:50–15:10 Classes
Most of my courses focus on foundational knowledge, including algorithms and data structures, electrical circuits, and signal analysis. Grades are mainly determined by final exams (70-80%), but some courses also include quizzes and reports. Occasionally, I have up to five classes (until 18:30).
Starting the day early!
6:30–7:00 Cooking & Breakfast
Since I often crave the flavors of Indonesia, I make an effort to cook for myself! The spicy seasoning “sambal” is essential. I buy Indonesian ingredients from a halal shop near Kobe Mosque.
8:00 Commuting to Kobe University’s Rokkodai 2nd Campus
A 15-minute walk from my apartment. I arrive early to secure a seat and review materials before class.
8:50–15:10 Classes
Most of my courses focus on foundational knowledge, including algorithms and data structures, electrical circuits, and signal analysis. Grades are mainly determined by final exams (70-80%), but some courses also include quizzes and reports. Occasionally, I have up to five classes (until 18:30).
(Wira studying in class)
15:10–16:00 Commuting
16:00–20:00 Part-time job or Extracurricular Activities
For my part-time job, I work as an English tutor for professionals and junior high school students or as a clerk at a halal shop. On days without classes and on holidays, I participate in extracurricular activities, including a basketball club, Kobe University’s international student support group “Truss,” and “PPI KOBE,” the Kobe branch of the Indonesian Students’ Association in Japan.
16:00–20:00 Part-time job or Extracurricular Activities
For my part-time job, I work as an English tutor for professionals and junior high school students or as a clerk at a halal shop. On days without classes and on holidays, I participate in extracurricular activities, including a basketball club, Kobe University’s international student support group “Truss,” and “PPI KOBE,” the Kobe branch of the Indonesian Students’ Association in Japan.
(PPI KOBE performing the traditional dance “Likok Pulo” at an intercultural exchange event in Shin-Nagata)
20:00–22:00 Studying at a café near Sannomiya Station
Since my classes are quite challenging, I study for about three hours daily outside of class. During exam periods, I may study up to eight hours a day!
22:00–22:30 Gym
I train my body to endure long study sessions!
22:30 Return home & get ready for bed
23:00 Sleep
② Lens, 4th-year student, Department of Commerce, Faculty of Economics, Japan University of EconomicsSince my classes are quite challenging, I study for about three hours daily outside of class. During exam periods, I may study up to eight hours a day!
22:00–22:30 Gym
I train my body to endure long study sessions!
22:30 Return home & get ready for bed
23:00 Sleep
Let’s take a look at a day in the life of Araos Lens Cedric Perez, an international student from the Philippines!
(Lens on his way to university)
08:00 Wake up
A slow and relaxed morning start.
08:00–11:00 Study & Prepare for School
11:30 Brunch
I eat at my favorite affordable and delicious restaurants near Sannomiya Station.
12:30 Commute to Japan University of Economics, Kobe Campus
I use a rental e-scooter and arrive at the university in about 15 minutes.
12:50–14:00 Classes
During my first to third years, I took courses in economics, commerce, and Japanese. Most classes are graded based on exams, and as long as you pay attention in class, you should be able to earn credits. Now, in my fourth year, I only take seminar courses.
14:30–15:00 Commute
15:00–18:00 Part-time Job or Extracurricular Activities
For my part-time job, I work as a language instructor for foreign children under the Kobe City Board of Education and as a driver/instructor at an after-school daycare service. The daycare job involves many opportunities to converse with children in English, so English proficiency is essential.
18:00 Return Home
18:30–22:00 Cooking, Dinner & Free Time, Etc.
I usually cook my own meals. Since I also make Filipino dishes, I buy ingredients like Filipino soy sauce, vinegar, and consomme from various stores around the city.
22:00 Sleep
What do you think? Did this help you picture what studying abroad in Kobe is like?A slow and relaxed morning start.
08:00–11:00 Study & Prepare for School
11:30 Brunch
I eat at my favorite affordable and delicious restaurants near Sannomiya Station.
12:30 Commute to Japan University of Economics, Kobe Campus
I use a rental e-scooter and arrive at the university in about 15 minutes.
12:50–14:00 Classes
During my first to third years, I took courses in economics, commerce, and Japanese. Most classes are graded based on exams, and as long as you pay attention in class, you should be able to earn credits. Now, in my fourth year, I only take seminar courses.
14:30–15:00 Commute
15:00–18:00 Part-time Job or Extracurricular Activities
For my part-time job, I work as a language instructor for foreign children under the Kobe City Board of Education and as a driver/instructor at an after-school daycare service. The daycare job involves many opportunities to converse with children in English, so English proficiency is essential.
(Preparing wooden materials for making keychains with children at the daycare job)
18:00 Return Home
18:30–22:00 Cooking, Dinner & Free Time, Etc.
I usually cook my own meals. Since I also make Filipino dishes, I buy ingredients like Filipino soy sauce, vinegar, and consomme from various stores around the city.
(Lens’ homemade traditional Filipino dish, “Palabok”)
22:00 Sleep
Kobe is one of Japan’s leading university cities, home to around 70,000 students. The city offers a variety of universities, junior colleges, and unique vocational schools covering diverse fields of study. Although Wira and Lens have different majors and academic years, they both lead fulfilling student lives through studies, part-time jobs, and extracurricular activities.
If you’re considering studying in Kobe, be sure to check out the list of universities and