My first impressions once in Japan

First off all, I want to thank Abe initiative to give me an opportunity to study in japan with a scholarship. Although I want thank Nagasaki university staff particularly to my sensei for accepting me as a student in water treatment engineering. To be honest one week before coming to japan I was thinking all the time about my future integration once in japan. I never hope that it will be easy like presently. When I arrived in Narita airport my first impression was the organization within the staff work; no losing time during paper check. Once in Tokyo I felt my fear disappearing because of the smiles shown by people. My first hanging out in Tokyo streets was successful. I remembered that when I was lost in the streets but fortunately an old person helped me to find my hotel with kindness. Since this day I have felt integrated. After that it was about how food change will affect me?

My first eaten food was chicken and rice “tori niku gohan”. I liked it so much. In Tokyo I had already planned my first place to visit once in Nagasaki will be Bomb Atomic Museum. I went there during my first day here. I was so sad this day. Indeed, what impressed me was how a city which was victim of Atom bomb dropping has succeeded to reconstruct itself. Its amazing the speed with which its done. After visiting the museum, I went in some place like the mountain and the sea.

In the university my first days were good. I was in the welcome party. I met Japanese and foreign students and made many friends. So, for the lectures until today I feel good, I am getting the professors explanations. Finally, I want to whish for all the students to enjoy well Nagasaki.

Author: Sidy Ka

 The photo with the two Africans was taken on the high mountain in Kyushu

The photo was taken in the Bomb Atomic Museum

The photo with Vietnamese students was taken in the barbecue party organized by Itayama sensei

The first month in Japan

The first month in Japan – 2017.

The morning of 25 September, I came to Nagasaki with 3 other guys from Vietnam. The first day in Japan was pretty "pressure" for us, a lot of things to do and remember: registeration, luggages, dormitory,... and I must say that I was overwhelmed. Luckily, there were many nice people in the lab who helped us at that time so that we did not get lost. Everything was new to us, culture, language, friends... Studying abroad is not easy, there are a lot of problems that you have to deal with. However, day by day, we got used to it. We started knowing the way around, going to the supermarkets, attending classes and learning Japanese. I am really grateful that Nagasaki University offered free Japanese courses for international students so that we can be able to communicate with Japanese people. The new student's orientation given by Dr. Fujioka and other professors was very helpful for us to know what we want and need to do. The lessons are also very well organized for the new students to know about the principle of water engineering, monitoring and treatment process. I want to express my gratitude to all professors, especially Dr. Fujioka for giving me the chance to study here and providing me with a lot of support. I will try my best to study and enjoy my time being here as well.

Minh Quang.

   Moriyama-sensei is giving lecture

   Tada-sensei

                                                           

Doing BOD Test with Itayama-sensei and classmates

 Park-san and ??? :)))

                                                     

My first experience in Japan - 2017 October

In April this year, I came Japan and joined in Water and Environmental Engineering Master Course at Nagasaki University. It’s really a big opportunity for me. I can get the chance of starting my life in a new country, experiencing Japanese culture and making foreign friends. Especially, under enthusiastic teaching of Japanese Professors, I obtain wide experience and specialist knowledge. As you know, language skills are very necessary for students. See its importance, there are many English classes in courses to help students interact effectively by English. In addition, Nagasaki University has offered free Japanese courses for international students. That give us the confidence to have basic conversation with native speakers. Moreover, University also have many special scholarship opportunities for foreign students where we can get financial assistance for life in Japan. If students want to find a part time job, supervisor always create the best condition and give full support. So many good things that I can not say all of them now. I feel delighted to have a chance to study in Japan so I will try and enjoy this time.

                                              Visited at Nagasaki Prefectural Art Museum

                                       

                                        Nagasaki University in April - cherry blossom season 

March 2017

March again comes. Usually, March does not give us much feeling. But for now, March comes and brings us a plenty of memory. It brings us back to 2 years ago. This time - 2 years ago - we were busy to prepare for coming Japan, for starting a new page of our life, for enjoying a new trip of our youth. This time - 2 years ago - we were eager for being a Master student. We were also nervous for the first long trip that we could not meet our family everyday, for living in a country that was not our mother country. However, forgetting all the worry, we came to Japan with our belief, with love of family and friends and with the caring from all Prof. of this course.

We - 2 years ago

Just 2 photos among hundreds of our interesting photos

This time - 2 years later - we have done well our thesis defense. March comes and gives us a few last days to be a student, to be a residence of Nagasaki City. Although we have different plans after graduation, we still forever remember the time we were together.

From deep of our heart, we would like to express our deepest appreciation to all Prof. who contributed to our achievements. Without their help, without us today.

We - 2 years later

Last but not least, may thanks to our dear friends.

FIRST TIME EXPERIENCE IN THE WATER AND ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING MASTERS COURSE AT NAGASAKI UNIVERSITY

Joining a foreign University for advanced studies, breeds too much tension and anxiety amongst new students. This is attributed to the fear of the anticipated unknowns ranging from different cultures and norms, climate, weather, language barrier to lecturing and evaluation methods.  The feelings, as described above were part of my life while enrolling for the master course in Water and Environmental Engineering during the autumn entry period of October 2016. 

 I still clearly remember the friendly welcome and orientation I received from my tutor    (Nam Duhyeon) on my very first day, which eased a lot of my anxiety.  However, I must say I was still very overwhelmed by my new life. The new students’ orientation programme organised by Associate Prof. Fujioka Takahiro, was another life relieving event. It was during this programme that all teaching staff in this course made English presentations of their specific areas of research to new students. Many new and interesting research topics were presented which caught the attention of students, an attribute that increased the students’ motivation. The topics covered a wide range of different engineering specialities but all tailored towards improvement of the water environment. Unforgettable to mention was the use of English as the language for communication which eased a lot in my new students’ life.

From the second day, onwards, I started to meet a lot of nice people in our students’ common room, many of whom were senior students.  I was also offered with an opportunity to study Japanese intensively at the university for the first six months as an aid to smoothen my daily transactions with Japanese speaking communities. On top of this, I was able to attend my supervisor’s lectures which gave me a good insight on how membranes can used for efficient water treatment.   

I find much pride in being part of the water and environmental engineering course. The lecturers are quite polite, helpful but very efficient and diligent. Turning the various experiences which Iam learning in this course, I want to immensely contribute to the advancement of the water sector when I return to my country, Uganda.

Author: Katalo Ronald