The reason I chose Goldsmiths was because it has an excellent reputation for Sociology.  I studied English Literature for my BA in Japan and I wanted to know more deeply the social facts behind literature for my further study.  I am very excited and satisfied with my programme and hope it further opens up my eyes.

I have found Goldsmiths looks after students very well academically and individually. If I have any problems, staff take care of me well. As an international student, this is very important and gratifying. I feel Goldsmiths, especially my department, is like a family. In fact, I have already found this out during the process of application. I have no worries about my life at Goldsmiths.

The study of Ethnomusicology at Goldsmiths was really a rich experience for me. Inside of the university, there were classes, seminars, concerts, and so on, full of interesting ideas. And I loved the Goldsmiths library. It was like a treasure box that I could spend hours and hours in. In addition, I had the opportunity to meet people outside of the University as part of my research. I made a lot of interesting connections to people, and am still in contact with them.

In the Music Department they have classical music, contemporary music and world music, and seeing all music as a cultural phenomenon. I was impressed by it and it has changed my perception of music 180 degrees. I am more interested in music and culture than before, and now I am teaching the things that I learned at Goldsmiths in Japan.

If I expressed the impression of Goldsmiths in one word, it would be freedom. There was freedom to choose whatever I wanted to focus on within the structure of the course, and the teachers were all supportive. Also, I liked the attitude of Goldsmiths that embraces both old and new.

I'm learning a lot. I've met wonderful friends from all over the world, and the fantastic thing is they all have different cultural and academic backgrounds.  This is amazing. This never happened when I was learning in Japan. This diversity is so fascinating. You can get a sense of 'global' in the UK. I now really feel that I'm one of citizens of this planet.

Another reason I feel happy and lucky to study in the UK is because British people are really supportive to students. I'm treated with respect and a sense of warm encouragement as a student. In the UK, education is not about right or wrong.  There is no perfect answer as such, and what's important is the process of learning, discussing, arguing and exchanging ideas with other students, and I think this is good. Now I feel I can be more free.

If you're studying art, you hear Goldsmiths a lot. There are reasons to explain why so many celebrated artists in contemporary art have studied at Goldsmiths. I have completed my foundation course in Wimbledon School of Art (now Wimbledon College of Art). I chose Goldsmiths since I felt it was the best place to study Fine Art and my tutors in WSA supported my decision.

Fine Art study requires a lot of independent work and self-discipline so that I was very aware that a large institution like Goldsmiths would be very challenging for myself. I have found it a little difficult after my first year, yet I think this applies to anyone who has just survived the demanding coursework. What is most beneficial about Fine Art course in Goldsmiths is that all the media have been mixed within the course so that you can explore literally anything you want as your art practice progress. There is so much inspiration in the course – students have a variety of backgrounds and ideas towards their art and tutors are always there to accommodate those individuals.

In terms of the campus atmosphere, I might have a different view since I have been studying as well as working for a long time. In the beginning, I had a sense that it was a little difficult to fit in this large institutional place, but as time goes by, I started to feel more comfortable to be a part of Goldsmiths. There are so many events organized by the Students' Union, and you can join a society to share your interests with others. All the information for social events is everywhere - flyers, websites and Facebook, so it is totally up to the individual who is up for some fun.

In my opinion London is the most exciting city in the world. People often name New York or Tokyo as the most exciting city, but I prefer London to those cities. If you start to talk about safety, it's the same in any other big cities in the world – as long as you are being responsible and careful for your actions, there is nothing to worry about. What makes London so interesting is the presence of British history in the metropolitan environment. There is always something happening in the city and many events are free for the public. As a student, it is good to go out and have fun without spending a lot of money. I can assure you never get bored of living in London!

After I finish my course this autumn, I am planning to stay in London as long as I can. I don't think I carry on my art practice after my course. I have fully enjoyed my art practice for the last 3 years, and I think it's time to explore what is outside of the field. I am pretty sure if it not easy to support myself in this economic climate, but I would like to make the most of the time in London and gain various experiences that may lead me to somewhere else in the future.