DR. KOICHI YAMASHITA
Professor, Kobe University

Sir:

 

Konnichiwa! Sensei, Ogenki desu ka?

It has been so long that we never communicated. So, I decided to write this letter to find out some updates from you, to express again my heartfelt gratitude for all the great things you’ve shared to me during my one-year schooling at Wakayama University (April 2006 – March 2007), and also to continue establish linkages with you.

Firstly, I would like you to know how grateful I am for all the things you have taught me – the school management system of Japan, your great culture, and the values in life as reflected in the way you have dealt with me.

 

 

I greatly appreciated our class discussion together with my two other Japanese classmates, as we discussed different aspects of the general perspective of school management between our countries particularly on: Organizational Structure and management, Organization of educational system, Curriculum management, Educational outcomes, and Financial management.

 

 

 

 

 

Along this line, what I appreciated most was our school visits, wherein I was able to actually observe varied facets of school management of three Junior High Schools where we visited: Kishigawa High School, Seirin High School, and Aridachuo High School. Through such visit, I was able to conduct profound research on the four (4) essential areas of school management: 1) Culture, administration, and resources; 2) Faculty and instruction, 3) Student outcomes management, and 4) Home-school Collaboration. Considering my Japanese language competence, I truly appreciated the great effort you have done during our interview with the school principals, especially in translating to me their answers from Japanese to English; and vice versa, my questions in English to Japanese. For such wonderful experience, please extend my great thanks to the people related to this school visits.

 

 

Secondly, please also extend my earnest thanks to AMIGO Group (Osaka University) and WINCONCORD Group (Wakayama University) for their awesome generosity; and to your Government particularly the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) for providing me opportunity under the Teacher Training Program, to study Japanese language, and culture; and to conduct research pertaining to school management system of Japan. Truly, it has really broadened my perspectives and enhanced both my personal and professional life.

 

 

As the Officer-in-Charge - Chief of Policy, Planning & Research Division (PPRD) of Department of Education, Region XII, Koronadal City, Philippines; all the knowledge, skills and values I’ve learned from such training have empowered me and intensified my conviction to significantly contribute something worthwhile for the improvement of quality education of my country. Rest assured that the kindness your country has done to me is engraved in my heart forever.

Sensei, I fervently pray that this letter will reach you. I know this is the only way I can be able to contact you. I look forward for your response and may be able to continuously establish strong partnership with you.

Very truly yours,

 

 

GLENN A. BISNAR

OIC, Chief – Policy, Planning & Research Division

DepEd Region XII, Koronadal City

Philippines

 

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Dear Associate Professor Kamei,

 

I hope you are fine and doing well. I would like to thank you again for all things you did for me and for the days we spent together at our lab. I’m so grateful to you.

Do you remember the first reports I handed in with many spelling and punctuation mistakes? You always painstakingly edited my reports. At that time you said to me “Why didn’t you check more carefully?” At first I was shocked but after thinking carefully, I understood the need to work meticulously with the highest devotion. And this was the first precious lesson you gave me which helped me to find success in my life. Once more, I would like to thank you so much for all things you taught me when I was your student.

Since returning to Vietnam I have a wonderful time when you come to visit Can Tho University every year. I was so happy when I saw you in September 2008 in Vietnam. It was really a precious moment for me, because we spent such a nice time together remembering my days studying under you and all our colleagues. I hope that I have the opportunity to meet you many more times in the foreseeable future.

In 2009, I will participate in a short term (3 months) visit fellowship (JASSO Follow-up Research Fellowship) and will be working in your lab. This will be a really useful opportunity for me to not only learn many more techniques and skills from you, but to further experience Japanese school life and to exchange ideas between Japan and Vietnam. Actually, you understand Vietnamese students very well. Thus, many people find you easy to talk to about any difficulty, whether it be in life or in study. No words could ever describe or help me express my gratefulness for all things you do toward Vietnamese students at the Kyoto Institute of Technology (KIT).

I will never forget what you taught me. I am sorry that, even though Vietnam is not very far from Japan, this is the first time I am returning Japan to visit you since I graduated KIT. Although I have not had the chance to meet you, I have always carried your advice and wisdom in the back of my mind. Please make sure to contact me when you have a chance to come to Vietnam.
Please take care of yourself,

Yours Sincerely,

Dai Thi Xuan Trang

(Ms.Trang studied at Studied at the Department of Applied Biology, Kyoto Institute of Technology from October 2002 to March 2006.)

 

*She wrote this letter in Oct. 2009.

 

 

 

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Dear Professor Kumano

Greetings, I hope you are fine and doing well. I miss you too much and I eagerly wanted to say hello and to communicate with you after these months in order to thank you again for all things you did for me and for the days we spent together at Shizouka University. Time really does fly, doesn’t it? Sir I’m so grateful to you. Because of you, my life at Shizouka as a student was fulfilling, enjoyable, and irreplaceable.

I was asked to contribute an article to “Dear Professor,” the eNewsletter for for International Students who studied in Japan. I took the chance to express my gratitude to you in words that I was unable to say while I was in Japan.

It was really a precious time to me, because we spent a nice time together talking about almost every thing. You talked with me about Japanese old history, educational system, religion, customs and culture. You gave me a drive to many schools, science activities and fantastic restaurants. I can not forget your kindness, gentleness, and daily encouragement. You did not hesitate to provide me with needed books, videos, as well as guidance. Really I regret for being far away from you. I wish to visit you again and talk with you more and more but I can not. I wish if I can find some one like you here in Egypt but it seems impossible.

Sensei, schools started here this week (September 21). I have been away from my classes and my students since October 2006 when I flied to Japan. Here in Egypt we have two semesters. The first starts from September and ends in January, the second starts in February and ends in June. Every time I enter my class, I remember Japanese classes, students, and teachers and I start to compare with them. I think that we still far away from your advanced methodologies and school life. However I am trying to do my best and to apply every thing I learned in Japan.

In Suez- about 130 Km to the East from Cairo- where I live, we have no rain during summer which is still continuing, and high temperatures continue day after day. I miss Japanese cool weather during this time.

Sensei, I really miss you and I wish if I can see you again, who knows this world is so small. I know that you are very busy with your studies and your students and that your leisure time is not enough, but please do me a favor,
remember me, and if possible be in contact always. Also, please send my warm regards to all students.

 

Sincerely yours,

IBRAHIM IBRAHIM
(Mr.Ibrahim studied at Education in Shizouka University from June 2006 to October 2008.)

 

 

Reply from Professor

 

Thank you very much for your letter. The contents of the letter are too much wonderful expression about myself. I treat you as one of my graduate students. I feel some hesitation to let someone to read. However, let it go and let us see how most of the people think on this letter in our culture. I learned from you a lot, too.

Sincerely,

 

Yoshisuke Kumano, Ph.D.
Professor of Science Education
Shizuoka University

 

 

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Dear Professor Kajiwara Sensei

 

Greetings, I hope you are fine and doing well. I miss you too much and I eagerly wanted to say hello and to communicate with you after these years in order to thank you again for all things you did for me and for the days we spent together at our lab. (G303). Sir I’m so grateful to you.

I was so happy when I saw you last November during the re-union 2007 conference reception. It was really a precious moments to me, because we spent a nice time together remembering my studying days and all our colleagues. I wish that I could meet you again in the future.

The next day I went to Tsukuba University for two-days travel, I visited my old laboratory G303 and my old friends, there I met with Prof. Ono and Dr. Komuro, I was so happy for this great chance to revive all these nice days at the Geoscience institute at Tsukuba University.

Dear Sir, I would like to inform you that I have been promoted to associate professor on April 2004 after that I had my first sabbatical leave at our prime and oldest University (The University of Jordan), there I taught the economic geology course in addition to PhD course in the industrial rocks and minerals. Now I’m preparing for my next professorship promotion. Indeed it took from me allot of time and efforts. I still keep your note in which you wish me a speedy promotion on my front desk, every day in the morning I saw it and remember you, and it gave me a spiritual support and encouragement all the time.

Hopefully next year I can get a short term visit fellowship (JASSO follow up) in order to spend three month period in Japanese research institute r University, I’m looking to conduct a research on S-stable isotopes of the black shale from central Jordan.
I really miss you and I wish if I can see you again, who knows this world is so small.
Please remember me, and if possible be in contact always.

 

Sincerely yours

Dr. Tayel El-Hasan
(Mr.Tayel El-Hasan studied at the Geoscience institute at Tsukuba University from 1997 to 1999.)

 

 

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Ms. Nuraeni at JASSO Jakarta office  

  

Dear Professor Osamu Nagashima,

 

I hope this letter will find you in excellent health. Forgive me for not writing to you for a long time.

 

In Jakarta, the capital of Indonesia where I live, we have summer all year long, and high temperatures continue day after day. Yesterday, we had a rare rain, which kept the temperature somewhat down. At the Kusatsu campus, surrounded by vegetation at this time of the year, a view from the classroom must be wonderful.

 

It has been already four and a half years since I graduated from Ritsumeikan University. I now work for the Japan Educational Information Center, Jakarta of Japan Student Services Organization. My job is to assist Indonesian students who wish to study in Japan. I was asked to contribute an article to “Dear Professor,” the eNewsletter for Former International Students in Japan. In my article, I’d like to express my gratitude to you in words that I was unable to say while I was in Japan.

 

 

It was during a lecture on Japanese economy that I met you for the first time. I found your explanations easy to follow. I quickly determined that I would take “Professor Nagashima’s seminar” from then on. But then I felt discouraged when I learned that I had to read thick reference books every week and make presentations in front of other students.

 

I was not good at speaking in public or expressing my opinions. When I was a high school student in Jakarta, I sweated a lot, my voice trembled because of tension, and I spoke too fast for others to understand what I was saying. On top of this, I was to make my presentation in Japanese! I became so nervous that my voice failed in the beginning.

 

Seeing me so tensed up, you subtly gave me assistance which calmed me. Today, I clearly remember your assistance. When my voice failed, you took over and explained the reference books. Seeing me down after my unsuccessful presentation, you gently encouraged me. You advised me to take a deep breath before each presentation and not to be afraid of making mistakes as they could be corrected then and there.

 

Because of my job, I often have to make presentations in front of many people. Even today, I feel tense before each presentation, but I always take a deep breath a few times as you advised me. I also keep telling me that I can correct any mistakes right away during the presentation. This thinking makes me feel relaxed. I owe you so much, Professor Nagashima. I am truly grateful to you for all your help while I was in Japan.

 

Please take a good care of yourself, Professor Nagashima, as the season is about to change from summer to autumn. I sincerely look for a day I see you again.

Yours truly,

Nuraeni

 

(Ms.Nuraeni studied at the economy department of Ritsumeikan University, starting in April 1999.)

 

- Eni studying in Japan(right in front row, with Professor Nagashima, left in front row, and other seminar members)

 

 

 

- Eni studying in Japan(center, at the commencement with classmates)

 

 

 

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Ms. Jung at JASSO Seoul office  

 

Dear Professor Shinji Kobayashi                                                            

How are you, Professor Kobayashi? Seoul has been very warm for a few weeks, but as this year’s rainy season started yesterday, heated grounds are cooling down. I imagine Hokkaido at this time of the year is surrounded by greenery and the night view of Hakodate is very beautiful.

I can’t believe it has already been 8 years since I studied in Hakodate. Time really does fly, doesn’t it? I work at Japan Student Services Organization’s Seoul office making the good use of knowledge I learned in Japan. I was asked to write a letter for “Dear Professor” section in an eNewsletter for former international students in Japan, and I thought this was a good opportunity to express my gratitude to you.

Do you remember, Professor Kobayashi, that your “essay” lesson was the very first class I attended at the school? After I had submitted a letter as an assignment of the lesson, you returned it with full of corrections in red ink. I remember it was very shocking to me. Those corrections, however, turned out to be written in a way even international students like myself can understand without difficulty. So I was very impressed by your thoughtfulness at the end. The letter you corrected, I believe, plays a large part of my power to work at the office. Other than school life, you told me a lot of things about Japan and I cannot thank you enough. Because of you, my life at Hakodate as a student was fulfilling, enjoyable, and irreplaceable.

Although I cannot ask for your advice like I used to, I will always remember what you taught me to guide me in future.

I am sorry that even Korea is not very far from Japan, it took me this long time to write to you. But it does not mean I don’t remember you. On the contrary, I will never forget you. Please make sure to inform me when you have a chance to come to Seoul.

Until we meet again, please take care of yourself.

Yours Sincerely

Jung, Sung Il

(Ms.Jung studied at Hokkaido University of Education HAKODATE from October 1999)

Ms. Jung while studying in Japan: second from right

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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