Adelle's Japanese education

Scholarships

For International Studies student Adelle Neary, the past few months have been truly international.

Currently at an Indonesian university finishing her International Studies degree, she recently went on a prestigious Mitsui Educational Foundation Study Tour to Japan.

Mitsui is one of Japan's biggest and oldest trading companies, with offices in 175 cities spanning 75 countries. Its Australian subsidiary, Mitsui Australia, established the Mitsui Educational Foundation in 1971, which selects students from nominated Australian universities to visit Japan for 18 days each year. The aim is to introduce these students to various aspects of Japanese culture, history, business and contemporary lifestyles, thereby helping to develop and expand the knowledge and friendship between Australia and Japan.

For Adelle, who was chosen as the University of Adelaide's participant for 2005, it was her first time to Japan and she is already planning a return.

"I just loved it," she said. "We were only there for a short time but we got to experience so many different aspects of the country - it's a fascinating place with fascinating culture and people."

Adelle, who already has degrees in Science and Law from Adelaide as well as currently studying International Studies, said the tour covered all of her study interests and even generated some new ones.

"I became really interested in the ways that companies like Mitsui do their business, which occasionally involves working together with their business rivals on a common goal - it's hard to imagine Australian businesses being so open and trusting with their competitors," she said.

"We also toured the Metropolitan Police Department and Tokyo Metro Government offices, which were interesting in terms of my interest in law and politics."

Other highlights of her trip included meeting future Japanese Mitsui employees, and a homestay with a family in the city of Chigasaki.

"I learned a lot about Japan, but I also learned a lot about myself and what direction I want my life to take," she said. "I would recommend the MEF Study Tour to anyone."

For more information about scholarship opportunities at the University of Adelaide, visit the Scholarships website.