Study in OSAKA – International Student Report: Tam from Vietnam Completes His Studies! Osaka Becomes His Second Home A Bridge Between Osaka and His Home Country

Maido! Osaka Bob here.
I recently heard some wonderful news from a Vietnamese student—Tam—that he completed his graduate studies. Having spent 10 years away from his home country, five of those years being in Osaka, his student journey just reached a milestone.
In March 2026, this chapter of his student life came to a close when he graduated. During his time in Osaka, Tam met many locals, shared many laughs, supported friends, and absorbed both the Japanese language and Osaka’s unique culture in his own way.
This spring, instead of returning to Vietnam, he has decided to begin his professional career right here in Osaka—a city he has truly fallen in love with.
To celebrate his graduation, I had the chance to sit down with Tam for a special interview. I asked him things like “What is student life in Osaka really like?” and “How did you feel living here?” Tam talked openly with me about everything.
Whether you’re a young person considering studying in Osaka or planning a trip here, this interview will give you valuable insight into the real charms of Osaka.
Now, let’s dive into Tam’s personal Osaka story!

Why Did You Choose Japan as Your Study Destination?

First of all, congratulations on your graduation! Why did you choose Japan as your study abroad destination?

Tam :
Thank you Bob! So I’m originally from Hanoi, Vietnam, and I’ve always liked challenging myself. Japanese is considered one of the most difficult languages in the world, and that actually attracted me. I thought that if I could master Japanese, I would feel a great sense of accomplishment.
At that time, a teacher of mine in Vietnam who I talked with about studying abroad introduced me to a Japanese language school in Nagano Prefecture. When I looked into it, I found out Nagano is famous for apples and also for snow, which you don’t see in Vietnam. I wanted to visit ski resorts like Hakuba, so I started my study abroad journey there.

Why Osaka for University Life?

You moved from Nagano to Osaka for university. Why did you choose Osaka?

Tam :
Of course Tokyo was one of my options, but Osaka felt somewhat similar to Vietnam. There are a few reasons for that, but here are the main three:

1. People in Osaka are pretty open and they’re easy to talk to. Even strangers will strike up a casual conversation, which feels warm and familiar—like Vietnam.
2. There are tons of tourist spots and great food. Osaka is full of famous attractions and has a rich food culture—it’s a fun city for food lovers.
3. The cost of living is relatively affordable. Rent and daily expenses are lower compared to other big cities, which is important for students.

These are the three main reasons that led me to my decision to enroll in Osaka University of Economics, and major in Marketing. Later, I was fortunate enough to skip a year and enter graduate school.
Another advantage was being able to live within 30 minutes of campus, plus the tuition was affordable and the seminar classes were small making it easy to consult with professors.

Experiences Living in Osaka

── First Impressions

What was it like when you first started living in Osaka? Did you experience any culture shock?

Tam :
I was surprised by the Osaka dialect, aka Osaka-ben! Words like “shiran shi” and “nande yanen” were totally new to me (laughs). But people here are very friendly and easy to talk to, so I got used to it quickly.
Nagano was quiet and peaceful, but sometimes felt lonely. Osaka, on the other hand, has great transportation. And personal connections feel closer. I immediately felt it was a very livable city.

── What Surprised You

Was there anything surprising about daily life in Osaka?

Tam :
Definitely the people! Osaka people are kind but a bit impatient (laughs). I worked part-time at conveyor belt sushi and okonomiyaki restaurants, and sometimes customers got upset if they had to wait.
But that’s part of Osaka’s charm—the energy and fast pace make it unique.

── What You Loved

What do you like most about Osaka? What were your favorites?

Tam :
The warmth of the people here. Many people will help you out when you’re in trouble, so I always felt safe.
And of course, Osaka food! I especially love the famous flour-based dishes like okonomiyaki and takoyaki—I even chose my part-time jobs based on that! Osaka flavors fit my tastes perfectly.
Oh… one thing I don’t like, which isn’t really an Osaka thing, is natto (laughs).

── What Was Challenging

On the other hand, what was tough about Osaka? How did you overcome any obstacles?

Tam :
Honestly, life in Osaka itself wasn’t difficult. But university and graduate school itself, all the research, papers and presentations were very challenging.
Still, the reason I came here to study was to learn. Even though it was tough sometimes, I overcame my difficulties by talking with friends and participating in fun events. And having a clear goal in mind helped me push through.

Supporting Osaka Tourism: Activities with Study in OSAKA

── How Did You Discover Study in OSAKA?

You joined Study in OSAKA, the project led by the Osaka Convention & Tourism Bureau to support international students in Osaka. What led you to do that?

Tam :
I found a brochure at my university’s international office, and one of the staff members encouraged me to join.
During my first time volunteering at an event, I met students from Africa, Europe, Taiwan, Korea, and beyond. By participating in tourism events like this, I made a lot of friends and learned more about Osaka. I had a lot of great experiences and made many unforgettable memories.

── Which Event Was Most Memorable?

You joined a lot of activities with other international students. What was the most memorable event for you?

Tam :
There were so many great events, but one that I really remember was a fashion show where we wore traditional costumes from different countries. I wore Korean hanbok (paji chogori), and I looked really good in it! It was my first time modeling too so it became a very special memory for me.

── Where Would You Take Visitors to Osaka?

Osaka has lots of great tourist destinations. If you have friends or family visiting from Vietnam, where would you take them?

Tam :
Osaka Castle, Dotonbori, and Umeda Sky Building are must-visits. Osaka Castle is beautiful, and the sunset view from the Sky Building is amazing—you can really experience the charms of Osaka there.

A Message for International Students from Tam

── Tips for Studying Abroad

Do you have any advice for students coming from overseas to study in Osaka? We’d love to hear from your perspective, as someone who actually studied here in Osaka.

Tam :
Your experience depends heavily on your Japanese ability. I recommend learning the basics before coming. Practice pronunciation on YouTube or apps and learn some daily expressions to make your transition to life in Osaka a little smoother. Japan also has a very unique culture, so learning some customs and values before arriving will make it easier to adjust too. This can help you reduce culture shock.

── Job Hunting

Have you decided what you are doing post-graduation?

Tam :
I decided to stay in Osaka rather than return to Vietnam. During my first year of graduate school, I received several job offers.
From April, I’ll work at a textile trading/manufacturing company headquartered in Grand Front Osaka. They also have factories in Vietnam, which allows me to stay connected to my home country.

Dreams for the Future

Oh, so you’re starting your working life here in Osaka too? I’d like to hear more about your dreams for the future.

Tam :
My dream is to become a bridge between Japan and Vietnam.
Using everything I’ve learned and experienced in Osaka, I want to build a global career and be based here in Osaka. I want to understand different cultures firsthand and apply that knowledge to business. That’s my main goal.

Wow! That’s a great dream. Can I ask you what “Osaka” means to you?

Tam :
Osaka is “a city full of new discoveries every day.”
It’s my second home. Surrounded by warm people, I learned a lot and made some unforgettable memories.
To everyone considering studying abroad—choose Osaka!
You’ll find new opportunities, connections, and a future full of possibilities here.

OGSAN (Osaka Global Student Ambassador Network) is a support network led by the Osaka Convention & Tourism Bureau to make Osaka more livable for international students. It aims to enrich student life while encouraging global promotion for Osaka.

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