Farewelling Kosuke Misawa

Farewelling Kosuke Misawa - Our Last Exchange Student (For Now)

Can you tell us about your family in Japan, your school there, and your life in Japan?

I’m Kosuke Misawa. I was born and raised in Tokyo. I live with my parents. I’m an only child. My mother is working in a bank, and my father is working for a company that specializes in printing, but he used to work as a French chef.

What were your reasons for coming to New Zealand?

My first reason is my future dream to become a pilot. Therefore, I need to learn English. I suppose studying abroad is the best way to learn the language. The second reason is my best friend is also studying in Whitianga - he started studying in NZ before I decided to come to NZ. We often call each other and he always talks about attractions in NZ. Finally, I decided to study in New Zealand because of its many attractions and beautiful nature.

Can you tell us about your arrival in New Zealand and your time at Evakona?

I arrived in NZ in April 2019. In my first year in NZ, I went to a language school in Whitianga called Evakona which is run by Japanese people. For a year, I learnt general knowledge of English such as grammar, vocabulary and pronunciation. Next, I started to go to Whakatāne High School in February 2020.

What differences are there between life and school in Japan and New Zealand?

There are many differences between Whakatāne and Tokyo. The first is the difference in the streets. When I was in Tokyo, I lived on the fifth floor and some of my friends lived on the thirtieth floor. But, in Whakatāne, there are no such tall buildings. Secondly, Whakatāne has an abundance of nature. We could enjoy surfing, diving and mountain biking. On the other hand, living and studying in Tokyo can sometimes be stressful. There are few places in Tokyo where you can experience nature like Whakatāne. Living in Whakatāne has made me feel more relaxed. Can you tell us about your time at Whakatāne High School, and the things you enjoyed whilst here?

I really enjoyed my time at school on the whole. I got to know the culture and language of the Maori people, Te Reo and Tikanga, which I don’t have in Japan. I enjoyed classes, such as Hospitality, Outdoor Education and Marine Studies. In Hospitality, I was able to learn professional cooking techniques! Unfortunately, I was not able to attend the Restaurant Evening, but it was a good experience nonetheless.

What are your plans for the future?

I’m applying to Rikkyo University in Tokyo. I am going to study Economics.