RasyaHumans, not places, make memories.
― Ama Ata Aidoo
I couldn’t believe that 3 years have passed since I first entered college. It still feels like yesterday when I’m still in my freshman year, trying my hardest to survive studying the Japanese language in a university at a countryside which I didn’t want to go to in the first place. I mean hello! I’ve just finally managed to feel at home in Tokyo and now, I’ve to move to the place that I have never heard of.
#NeverHeardOfHimejiBefore #IBetYouGuysKnowNothingAboutHimejiToo #Sad #WhyHimejIsNotAsPopularAsKyotoOrOsaka
But, as time flies, so does my heart, and I can say that now, Himeji is truly my second home. A place where I would feel at ease and comfortably live. With only 5 months left before the graduation ceremony in March, I’m desperate to create a lot of beautiful memories before leaving here for good. And what else would be a great thing to do than joining the once a year college festival to make an unforgettable memento to look at in the future.
Our college festival was held last weekend and this year, my friends and I decided to sell a Malaysian food called kaya balls. It looked like Takoyaki, except that instead of octopus, the filling is sweet creamy Kaya jam (according to Google: Kaya is coconut egg jam in English). I’m not sure whether other countries have the culture to held college/school’s festival but in Japan, after summer break ended and new semester kicks in, the college festival would be held between October and November. The festival is open for everyone and usually, celebrities would be invited to perform. #IThinkSouthKoreaHasCollegeFestivalsToo
PREPARATION BEFORE COLLEGE FESTIVAL
With the help of staffs at 交流センター, we used a lot of colourful paper boards to make our little tent’s decoration. Oh, and before I forgot, our shop’s name is Malaysia Boleh!. #ICanFeelThePatriotism #ProudToBeMalaysian
THE DAY OF THE COLLEGE FESTIVAL
Unfortunately, on the day of the college festival, the weather was not on our side. The sky looks gloomy and the next day, it rains so not a lot of people comes compared to the previous college festivals. BUT, all of our food managed to sold out before 4 p.m. #Alhamdulillah
Anyway, here’s why I love participating in college festival:
- A great place to get closer to the locals.
You know how the Japanese are one of the shyest people in the world. They wouldn’t try to start a conversation with you even though they’re curious and dying want to know more about you (well, the stares means something right?). Especially, when foreigners like me who is donning a colourful hijab and exotic traditional clothes that they’ve never seen before. That’s why college festival is great. The Japanese would found it easier to make a little talk with us when we try to sell them our Kaya ball because they know we can communicate with them using the Japanese language.
- A rare opportunity to introduce more about Malaysia to the Japanese. Our clothes, our food, what languages we used. A lot can be talked about.
- Earning money. I could earn money while having fun doing something together with my friends. #ThisKindOfLifeIsGood #LifeGoals
So, that’s my experience in joining college festival in Japan. Do you guys have any memories participating in something similar in the past? Tell me your story in the comments 😀
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34 comments
I love how Japan always have this school/college festival. I hope I can join one someday! Good choice seeling kaya ball. You gave them sort of comparison to their version of takoyaki.
😊😊😊
I love the festivals too but my uni is small so ours are not so grand compared to unis like Osaka University or Tokyo University.