-full name
Chihiro Yokoyama
-Major
Violin
-Participating course name
Piano / Wiener MusikSeminar / Vienna, Austria
-Participation period
November 2023, 8 - January 16, 2023
-How did you feel about studying abroad this time? Please give us your overall impressions.
I had been to Vienna before on a school trip, so it was only in the second week that I felt nostalgic for a few years ago. At first I was nervous and my heart was pounding. When I arrived on August 2th, it was a public holiday in Vienna (I found out later), so all the supermarkets and other shops were closed, so I had a hard time buying anything to drink. The course also included a bus trip. The students who participated in the concert in the first half of the two-week period seemed to have already studied Sensei, giving the impression that they were at home. Many Japanese people, myself included, felt like they were finally able to come overseas after being freed from the coronavirus quarantine.
-Is there anything that particularly impressed you? (In various aspects such as seminars, daily life, etc.)
I was asked to participate in a competition, but instead of playing one song, I had to play two songs adjusted to the specified length. The first movement of the pieces I had prepared, such as classical music + concerto, was dark, so I had to play the second movement, so I had to take extra lessons as a matter of urgency. Due to the short notice (the next day is the competition), neither myself nor the piano accompaniment were able to make it in time, so I decided to withdraw from the competition. It was a shame, but I think it was a good experience.
-■About the lesson■-
-Instructor name
Alexander Allenkov
-Number of participants per class
One-on-one
-Number of lessons
4 times
-How to proceed with the lesson
This style includes playing and (after playing to a certain extent) sensei instruction.
-Impressions of the instructor/lesson (what kind of lesson was it? Differences from Japan, etc.)
It was sensei who played very passionately.
-About interpreters (Was it good to have an interpreter? Did you have any problems?)
The piano accompaniment person translated for me. A Japanese person translated it carefully.
-■About accommodations■-
-Accommodation type
Hotel
-It was good point
I was able to use the double room by myself, so I was able to use it comfortably.
-Bad points
I couldn't open the window because insects would come in.
-■About the country, city, and town where you stayed■-
-What was your impression of this country and city after actually visiting? (Security, traffic, impressions of people in town, etc.)
I think it's safe. Since it was summer, I sometimes saw people with small children at the station on their way home from concerts (around 10pm). The transportation is convenient, and I bought a one-week commuter pass to ride it.
-How was the meal there? (self-catering, eating out, etc.)
Meals (breakfast) at the hotel can be taken from 7:00 to 10:00. There were marinated vegetables (cucumbers, etc.), but there were no leafy vegetables (lettuce, etc.), so I decided to eat tomatoes instead.
-Please tell us how you think you have grown or changed after studying abroad.
I was able to experience for myself that I had to clearly communicate what I wanted to do. It is also important to put my thoughts into words, and I would like to be more careful in the future. I see a lot of people studying abroad, so I'm going to study abroad for a long time too!!
-How did you like the service from &Vision? (Good points, bad points)
Thank you very much for your help. Even when we had to change the program midway through, they were very kind and helpful. Although we mainly communicated via email, I was able to receive immediate responses (replies), so I felt at ease. I also asked for an air ticket, and it was exactly as I requested. thank you.
-Please give some advice to those who are thinking about studying abroad in the future.
We recommend bringing a VISA or Master Card. I forgot my VISA and brought my JCB. When I tried to buy a ticket online on the way, I couldn't buy it at JCB. There are also many concerts, etc., so it is better to account for extra expenses during your stay. (Of course...)
-What kind of programs do you think would be good in the future?
I can't think of anything right now...
I wish I could have gone to more local concerts, so I wish I had arranged tickets in advance. (I was reluctant to go out at night because I only knew the lesson schedule locally...)
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