{"id":100240525,"date":"2025-10-20T15:56:19","date_gmt":"2025-10-20T13:56:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.fh-joanneum.at\/?p=100240525"},"modified":"2025-11-17T08:10:39","modified_gmt":"2025-11-17T07:10:39","slug":"adventure-in-osaka","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.fh-joanneum.at\/en\/news\/adventure-in-osaka\/","title":{"rendered":"Adventure in Osaka"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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In conversation with Sofia Oliveira, lecturer and International Coordinator at FH JOANNEUM, Digital Entrepreneurship student Franziska Tuscher reflects on her Erasmus+ semester abroad at Kansai Gaidai University in Osaka \u2013 a journey shaped by language, culture, and academic discovery.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

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Sofia Oliveira:<\/strong> Franziska, you spent your semester abroad at Kansai Gaidai University in Hirakata near Osaka. What made this semester so special for you personally?<\/p>\n

Franziska:<\/strong> The semester abroad enriched me on so many levels – but above all because of the people I met there. People who were complete strangers at the beginning quickly became close friends, and I’m sure these friendships will last far beyond our time in Japan.<\/p>\n

Sofia Oliveira:<\/strong> Which experiences shaped you the most during this time?<\/p>\n

Franziska:<\/strong> I learned an incredible amount about myself. Experiencing Japanese culture firsthand was fascinating, but it also helped me understand what I truly value in my own life. I really appreciated how strongly the well-being of the community is prioritized in Japan – but at the same time, I realized how important our European sense of individuality is to me.<\/p>\n

I also discovered how essential routines are for my well-being. Sports and healthy eating are important anchors in my daily life. In Japan, my routine was completely disrupted at first, but after a few weeks, I found ways to train regularly again and maintain a balanced diet – and yes, occasionally I needed a “taste of home.”<\/p>\n

Sofia Oliveira:<\/strong> Which courses or projects at Kansai Gaidai did you find particularly interesting?<\/p>\n

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Franziska:<\/strong> I was especially fascinated by the course International Negotiation<\/em>. We learned different negotiation techniques – from classical distributive bargaining to integrative bargaining, where both parties work together to create mutually beneficial solutions. The latter impressed me the most because it is more sustainable and builds stronger relationships.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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World Expo Osaka, Fotocredit: Antonia Valentin<\/p>\n <\/div>\n

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Mount Daisen, Fotocredit: Lukas Salbrechter<\/p>\n <\/div>\n

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Teezeremonie in Kyoto, Fotocredit: Lukas Salbrechter<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n

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Sofia Oliveira:<\/strong> You study Digital Entrepreneurship – did you also gain insights into entrepreneurial thinking in Japan?<\/p>\n

Franziska:<\/strong> Yes, and that was really exciting — and partly also challenging. In Japan, clear hierarchies prevail, decisions are rarely questioned, and admitting mistakes is uncommon. At the same time, universities like Kansai Gaidai do offer courses and initiatives on entrepreneurship and startups.<\/p>\n

A great experience was visiting the World Expo in Osaka, where I gained interesting insights into current innovations. I found the combination of Japan’s strict error-avoidance culture and its impressive innovative strength particularly fascinating — two seemingly contradictory yet closely connected elements.<\/p>\n

Sofia Oliveira:<\/strong> Did you take any ideas from this time that you might want to incorporate into future projects?<\/p>\n

Franziska:<\/strong> Absolutely. At the FOOMA – Food Processing Expo in Tokyo, I discovered a special type of frame designed to relieve workers who have to stand for long periods. Something like that doesn’t exist in Austria yet, and I can definitely imagine developing a similar concept further in the field of workplace health management.<\/p>\n

Sofia Oliveira:<\/strong> What advice would you give to other students who are considering a semester abroad?<\/p>\n

Franziska:<\/strong> Do it! A semester abroad pushes you to your limits — but that’s exactly where learning happens. Not every day is a good day, but the difficult ones often turn into the best stories. I would do it again anytime.<\/p>\n

Sofia Oliveira:<\/strong> Finally: Is there an experience that has stayed with you in particular?<\/p>\n

Franziska:<\/strong> There are many! But the most memorable was a hike up Mount Daisen with two friends. We were completely unprepared and quickly realized that the snow made the ascent impossible. So we ended up sliding down the entire mountain — chaotic, spontaneous, and unforgettable. Moments like these are what make a semester abroad truly unique.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Snowshoe hike in Hakuba, Credit: Lukas Salbrechter<\/p>\n <\/div>\n

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Kiyomizu-dera in Kyoto, Credit: Franziska Tuscher<\/p>\n <\/div>\n

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Inariyamakanyuchi in Kyoto, Credit: Franziska Tuscher<\/p>\n <\/div>\n

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Yomitan-Namihira, Credit: Antonia Valentin<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n

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Tip<\/h4>\n

Curious to learn more? Apply now for the Master\u2019s program\u00a0Digital Entrepreneurship<\/em><\/a>!<\/strong><\/p>\n

Would you also like to experience an unforgettable semester abroad?
Find out more about the opportunities at FH JOANNEUM \u2014 maybe\u00a0you<\/em>\u00a0will be the next to share your exciting stories with us.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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