Scholarship

VOICES

Scholarship student Alumni
Ms. Ana Cedeno

MY TIME IN JAPAN

 

 

 

I had spent the past 6 years of my life at St. Anthony’s College in Diego Martin. Those years were a lot of hard work, but it was fantastic as I had a great team of staff and students to work with. In fact, I had come to learn of the MONBUKAGAKSHO Scholarship through my work with the UNESCO club of my school. I am quite interested in learning about other countries and cultures, and looked this as a way to experience all aspects of a culture very different to my own. Just a few months after applying and being interviewed, I was notified about my being chosen for the MONBUKAGAKSHO Scholarship, to do my Masters in International education. I was quite lucky to have received such an opportunity. Needless to say, I was both afraid and excited, especially since it would be my first time living and studying so far away from home.

 

On April 6th 2004, I arrived in Narita International Airport in Tokyo, about to begin an unforgettable experience here in Japan. When I arrived at the Dormitory here at TOKYO GAKUGEI DAIGAKU (TOKYO TEACHERS’ UNIVERSITY) I was greeted by courteous Japanese House-Staff, and the following day I was taken to process all my documents. I was impressed when I first saw the University and I met my Professors who were also excited to meet the 2nd Trinidadian to attend this college.

 

It was hard work studying Japanese, as, unlike Romance languages, there is a completely different writing and counting style, but I survived nonetheless. In spite of the hard work, I also had such a good time exploring Tokyo, and learning all aspects of this nation, blessed with much rich cultural history. Besides learning the language, I also learnt about many of the customs (such as the correct use of “Hashi” (chopsticks) and how and when to bow) and festivals here such as the “Obon Odori” festival, “Tea Ceremonies” and Cherry Blossom viewing during the spring season. Like so many foreigners before me, I’ve also had the experience of tasting many Japanese dishes. Although not prepared like Trinidadian food, a lot of it is quite tasty, such as TEMPURA, NABE, SHABU-SHABU and the well renowned SUKIYAKI.

 

I made many new friends, and I also got a chance to practice both my Japanese and even Spanish with the Spanish-speaking students here. I’ve met students from neighbouring countries like Venezuela and Haiti, and from as far as Myanmar (Burma), the Philippines and Indonesia. My experiences also brought me to the Japanese classroom, where I had the opportunity to educate Japanese Primary and Secondary school students about Trinidad and Tobago.

 

During my time here, I was also able to visit such famous places as The MEIJI - JINGI SHRINE, KAMAKURA, KAWAGUCHIKO (to see Mt. Fuji during the Spring Flower Festival) OSAKA, NARA, NIKKO, THE IMPERIAL PALACE and NATIONAL DIET and YOKOHAMA. There is so much to see and many things to do, that I must divide myself equally between my responsibilities and my visits.

 

Japan so far has been an eye-opening experience, and I have learnt a lot during my time here. This has been a marvelous opportunity to grow as a person and my experiences thus far, have been unforgettable. I know I have much more to see and learn.

 

Domo arigatou gozai masu.

By Ana C. Cedeno.