This section talks about a former international student who actively works in his/her home country.
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Introduction of “an Alumnus / Alumna” (2007) 
2007 Contents
Studied at Yokohama National University (YNU) from October 5, 2005 to March 14, 2007
I am doing well with the training, experience and exposure gained through the kind sponsorship of Monbukagakusho, on behalf of the Government of Japan. Makoto ni arigatou gozaimashita.
I returned to Ghana and quickly lent my support to final year students of Alpha Beta Junior High School in Accra where I last taught before enplaning to Japan. These students were at the time, preparing to sit for their first and crucial national examination which will see them through to High School. My experience at school visits in Japan, with my Professors Ikeda Toshikazu and Sumi Tetsuya and Kuroda Yasuko, all of Yokohama National University (YNU) were indeed of great benefit not only to my students in Ghana, but also colleague teachers as well.
My Lesson Study research theme which highlighted the Japanese approach to teaching mathematics was placed at the disposal of teachers and also at the Embassy of Japan in Ghana for educators and stakeholders in education to learn from. Indeed, my country and I are grateful for this experience.
I however, have found myself back in countryside Japan teaching English in Public Elementary and Junior High Schools for a while. In fact, it is a way of expressing my thanks to the people of Japan for what they gave me during my studies. It is also to broaden my knowledge and experience in teaching; an international experience if you ask me.
My initial training at YNU, has given me the required expertise and how to cope with life in 
Japan together with its people. As a result, I have been hailed delightfully at the least effort of either speaking Japanese, assisting in general cleaning or achieving teaching objectives and goals. Besides, my participation in extracurricular activities with the people has also given birth to another experience in baseball playing; something I am doing for the first time.
I have also gained experience in a variety of areas that is enhancing my future. Cooperation, cultural exchanges, teamwork, time management, responsibility, problem solving and effective communication are but a few. Of course, this hidden talent at baseball is remarkable. I have met people I might otherwise not have encountered, and learned about things outside my own environment which is wonderful. Okage sama de.
It is my fervent hope that other beneficiaries of this fine opportunity to study in Japan, will see the merits (which far outweigh the demerits) and derive the experience and knowledge it comes with, as they seek to reach heights in their education.
Studied at Osaka University of Foreign Studies from October 2005 to October 2006
Before I came to Japan, I had studied at Japanese studies Department, Sofia University, in Bulgaria. I had studied Japanese cultures, histories, literatures, economy, and language in my classes at the university. Thanks to these lectures and professors who taught me, I obtained common sense and knowledge about Japan. Then, I was stunned when I heard that I would go to Japan and study there, which was my childhood dream come true. Even though I wasn't sure what I could achieve, I was ready to face the challenge of one year in Japan. I arrived in Osaka University of Foreign Studies.
For me, Osaka University of Foreign Studies was `a place to meet people`. If OUFS was `a village of 100 people,` I strongly sensed that it was an assembly of 100 students from different backgrounds. Among this influence, to gain the experience I had lacked in my life until now, I immersed myself in new ideas that floated around me like fresh bouquets.
Like everyone else, I was young in the beginning. I felt uncomfortable when I met people from different countries and with various types of characters. I wondered if the reason of my discomfort was caused by the fact that our emotions were surrounded by the unknown space. In this mood, I heard my own voice and imagined what kind of person I would like to be. My desires were very simple: to build a bridge between people and to have the power to draw a way of understanding between countries.
But for some time after I arrived in Japan, my Japanese language skills were highly inadequate. I was unsure whether I was ready to start research in my chosen field, I chose to begin with the training course. After the classes opened, my Japanese began to improve day by day. After the fall term was over, however, I felt somehow dissatisfied with myself. The reason of my unhappiness lied in the fact that there was a field that I had been interested in and that I was yet unable to pursue it. After some time, my desire was answered, and I began my research in the field.
I understand that international relations are complicated and limited by different matters. Representatives of nations are those who can help achieve bilateral objectives and play an important role in promoting exchanges at the highest level, while making sure that desires of the countries involved, linked by tenuous threads, are adequately satisfied. In other words, persons who can help find solutions to diplomatic problems and build a stable environment are truly beneficial to the countries they represent. During my short research period of four months, I came to know for the first time the Japan-U.S. diplomatic actions after the Pacific War, ways to cope with mistakes and difficulties, and the effects and results of bilateral talks.
The Japan-U.S. relations form the core of any research on the Japanese diplomacy in the world. I sincerely hope that the knowledge I gained from my research will become a large stock of experience for me in the future. I consider my 1-year study in Japan a great success, considering that I was able to acquire knowledge on the fundamental principle of a completely unknown field and the basics of rudimentary Japanese diplomacy.
The topic of my research is “The conclusion, revision and problems of Japan-US Security Treaty,” based on my study into the birth of the new Japanese constitution and San Francisco peace treaty. In the future, I hope that what I have learned from this theme will help me cope with difficulties that I will face in pursuing my choice– Diplomacy in the filed of International relations.
I returned home in 2006 after completing my study in Japan. Today, I’m working in the newly opened office of a Japanese- European company located in Sofia, Bulgaria. My job couldn’t be further away from what I’ve been dreaming to achieve. But I am still full of my dream. To realize it, I am planning to take a master’s course scholarship program in Japan. My hopes are to become a person versed in areas related to international affairs. In the flow of time, I firmly believe that, with adequate knowledge, one can conquer any difficulties.
As a former international student in Japan, my memories light up the path I’m taking. I strongly believe that my meeting with many people, their ideas, jokes I exchanged with friends, my improved Japanese skills, and better understanding of the world have all become invaluable experiences that can last for lifetime.
The spirit that crosses national borders rides on freedom, developing intimacy with the world. The one year I spent in Japan is the first step toward the success. With my experiences that I have gained, I am ready to set off toward the future with the open mind.
Period of study in Japan: April 1994 – March 1996, at Laboratory of Food Science, Kyoto University where he obtained his master’s degree.
Current job: General manager, Retail Division - Planning Department., Ajinomoto Interamericana, Brazil
- Studying in Japan
After graduating from a university in Brazil in 1994 where I studied food engineering, I came to Japan and studied in Kyoto for two years as a Japanese government scholarship student.
My life in Japan was fun and the two years passed very quickly. Being a second-generation Japanese, I could speak Japanese, but specialized terms were beyond my reach. With a lot of help from my teachers and senior students, I was able to devote myself in my study. As I was unable to properly use honorific words, which I rarely used with my parents, I might have sounded rude to others on a number of occasions. It is one of the difficulties of the Japanese language. I also learned expected manners between juniors and seniors and some Japanese cultures.
As there were many international students in Kyoto, my stay there was very meaningful in terms of international exchanges. The dormitory I stayed in housed about 100 international students and 100 Japanese students. Weekend parties were fun. There were also many travels, sports days, and other activities designed for international students who lived in the Kansai region. I miss those overseas and Japanese students I met in such activities.
- Current job
While I was in Japan, I took a job screening test for Ajinomoto, a company I had wanted to work for. I was accepted and, on returning to Brazil, I landed a job at Ajinomoto Interamericana. After working through research & development, marketing, and industrialization, I am working nowadays as general manager of Retail Division Planning Dept. Ajinomoto is one of the companies that are rapidly growing in Brazil and many Japanese staff are working there. My Japanese-speaking ability helps me in the job, but what’s more useful to me is my experiences in Japan. During my stay there, I became better informed of Japanese and Brazilian cultures, and differences of ideas and characteristics between two countries. With these understandings, which make me better at communicating with Brazilians who work at a Japanese firm in Brazil, I’d like to contribute to the progress of my company.
Words of thanks
My stay in Japan as an international student was very meaningful. I’m truly thankful for my studies there with the expenses paid for. Three members of my family with four brothers were also able to study in Japan and have similar experiences. I also met my future wife, who is Japanese, while studying in Japan. I hope that, some day, my 2-year-old son will have an opportunity to study abroad, if not in Japan.
Studied at Tokyo University of Foreign Studies as a Special Auditor
Term: October 1, 2000– September 30, 2001
Course: International Education Program(ISEPTUFS)
- Learning experience in Japan
I have experienced an exceptional year while I studied at Tokyo University of Foreign Studies. One outstanding experience is the language. I talked to students from various countries in Japanese. I had an impression that debates are popular in Japan and through exchanging opinions I have broadened my view. The best way to learn another language is to talk to people in the country. Not only in classrooms but it is also important to actively talk to people. When I applied grammar I learned during my classes to conversation with my friends, they always helped and corrected me, thus my Japanese became more and more fluent.
Among my fond memories such as a hot summer and a cold winter, the first ski trip in my life was the most memorable one. I was nervous at first, but I was able to ski well in the end.
International Hall held numerous activities and I was particularly looking for welcoming parties for new international students. One of the benefits of living at the Hall was opportunities to learn cultures, customs, and foods of other international students’ home countries. Life at the Hall certainly helped me to mature as a person.
Through part time job, I learned the importance of money. While I waited at a Thai restaurant, Japanese staffs were very strict and seldom speak. At the parties after work, however, I talked even to people who are older than me as if we were long time friends.
Same can be said for parties with school friends and teachers. I had good times talking to them over drinks. Parties are one of the Japanese cultures and I was impressed by the joy they offer.
- Current Career
Four months after returning to my home country, I graduated from the university. After graduation, I wanted to work for a Japanese company where I can make best use of my Japanese. A recruitment company introduced me to CANON and I was employed as an interpreter. Interpreting may seem an easy task from non-interpreters, but I went though various difficulties.
The first difficulty was technical jargons. I even felt my Japanese was not good enough. But I worked very hard even I failed many times. Fortunately, both Japanese and Thai colleagues were very kind and helped me to learn the job. It took a while but I learned from them without feeling too stressed.
In three months, I learned a lot of Japanese spoken in the office. The major role of an interpreter is “to communicate the information correctly”, but it is also important to understand what speakers and listeners are feeling. For example, if a speaker used angry tone, I shouldn’t use the same tone, because it may provoke a listener. So on top of communicating correctly, I think an interpreter has to understand the feeling.
My next job was at FANCL, a Japanese cosmetic company. I worked as an assistant for a senior managing director. As I was very interested in cosmetics, I really enjoyed working there. I also had many opportunities to meet people from different walks of life and exchange opinions. At FANCL, I had an excellent experience and learned a lot.
At the moment, I work at an oil sale company, EXXONMOBIL. It is a European company but I work in Japanese customer support team at Customer Service department. As a part of company trainings, I was sent to Japan for 3 months, which was a wonderful “home coming” opportunity for me. During these 3 months, although it was not so long, I learned and experienced a lot, such as Japanese, the way Japanese people think and work.
Through a year of study in Japan and 4 years of work at Japanese companies, I became more and more fond of Japan. If there was another opportunity for me to study in Japan, I would definitely take it.
Secretary General, Japan Graduates' Association of Malaysia
1972-1977 Osaka City University Faculty of Economics Bachelor
1977-1980 Hitotsubashi University Graduate School of Economics Master
- Learning experience in Japan
I was in Osaka since 1972 till I obtained my Bachelor Degree in Arts (Econ) from the Osaka City University in 1977, as a private student; I then proceeded to Hitotsubashi University under Monbusho Scholarship and obtained my Master Degree in 1980.
During my stay in Japan, I almost concentrated my study in Japan Economics Study, particularly in Japan Economic History; whereas the Economic Miracle attained by Japan after World War II has attracted worldwide attention, even to the extent that our Malaysian ex-Prime Minister Dr Mahathir had even taken his initiative to launch a massive campaign domestically called ‘Look East Policy’ by sending thousands of his people to Japan for learning from the Japanese, in all aspects, since 1980’s.
I really satisfied with the knowledge attained from both Universities and enjoyed the academic environments and studies there. However, to my knowledge and understanding, the achievement by Japan, economic development in particular, is basically part of westernization or modernization efforts taken ever since Meiji. Most people tended to believe that the success attained by Japan is just a reflection of ‘pupil often surpasses the master’. I do believe that if it is true, then the traditional culture and historical background play a very important role behind the scene. The responsibility and attitude taken by most Japanese is always recognized as the typical national characteristics such as good manner, discipline, punctuality, diligence, cleanliness, humility, respect of elders and value of beauty etc. It ensures that the process of renovation not only successful, but even much more better. Japanese products is now reckoned as quality products might be just a result of technology, but its renowned good service of warranty is no doubt representing good manner and responsibility.
I believe that the learning of the Japanese culture and her mentality does help me much in my career, particularly in handling customers service, which is similarly important to the quality of products handled. Look East is indeed a great work to be achieved and the weight must be leaned more over its culture and mentality.