IELTS Speaking · 2

I'm a full-time second-year student studying economics. What I enjoy most are the collaborative group projects, because discussing complex ideas with classmates from different backgrounds often leads to insights I would never reach on my own. Some of our lecturers are also excellent at making dry theory feel genuinely relevant to what is happening in the world right now. As for travel within my country, I go back home or visit relatives in other cities two or three times a year. Whenever possible I choose the train over driving — it is far less stressful, the views can be lovely, and I can use the journey to read or go through my notes productively.

The place I would most like to revisit is Kyoto, the ancient cultural capital of Japan. I first went there about three years ago in late spring, travelling with a close friend who had been living in Tokyo and knew the city well enough to act as an informal guide. We spent five wonderful days exploring at a relaxed pace, mainly on hired bicycles, which proved to be the perfect way to discover quiet side streets and unexpected gardens tucked between the more famous sights. We visited several temples early in the morning before the tourist crowds arrived, and I remember the stillness feeling almost surreal. We also stumbled across a small neighbourhood market where vendors were selling handmade pottery and preserved foods — something that felt genuinely authentic and far removed from everyday life at home. There are two main reasons I would love to return. First, we arrived just a week or so after the cherry blossom had already fallen, so we completely missed the moment Kyoto is arguably most beautiful. I have since seen photographs from peak blossom season, and the difference is extraordinary — the whole city turns a soft, luminous pink. Second, we simply ran out of time; entire neighbourhoods, mountain trails and museums that we had planned to explore remained unvisited. Going back with no fixed itinerary, more time, and a better grasp of the language is something I genuinely look forward to.

Tourism has grown exceptionally rapidly in my country over the past decade, particularly in the capital and along the coast, where some areas now feel genuinely overcrowded for much of the year. I believe targeted measures — restricting large tour groups in historic centres, or introducing timed-entry systems for the most popular landmarks — make good practical sense. However, an outright numerical cap on visitors across an entire city would be counterproductive, since many small restaurants, guesthouses and craft shops depend entirely on tourist spending for their survival. On balance, tourism brings welcome investment and job creation, yet it simultaneously pushes up rents for permanent residents and places enormous pressure on public transport and infrastructure during peak seasons.