Exchange Student Program The Soka University is presently engaged in academic exchange agreement
with 96 universities in the world. In the Philippines, U.P . had entered
into this agreement with the Soka University in 1988, and De La Sale in
1996. Every year, two exchange students from each university are dispatched.
Aside from that, because this is the only English speaking country in
Asia, many Soka University students came here to study at their own expense.
Furthermore, short term language training program is launched in Kalayan
College where Dr. Abueva, a friend of President Ikeda, serves as principal.
File 018: January 2008
Kenji Yamashita
(Capitol University in Cagayan De Oro)
Hello! My name is Kenji Yamashita.
I am a senior student of Soka University majoring in Education.
I studied at Capitol University as a private student majoring in English
from May to December 2007.
The purpose of my study abroad
with the dean of university and my friends
It was in October 2006, when I was watching SGI members from several countries
singing the song “I ARISE” in front of Ikeda Sensei at a Headquarters Leaders’
Meeting through a satellite broadcast that a thought of going abroad suddenly
occurred to me. The members’ joyful and tearful singing deeply touched
my heart. At the same time I could not help asking myself one question:
“Why can they have such a strong seeking mind for the mentor even though
they are living hundreds of miles away?” At that moment, I felt a strong
desire arising within me that I would like to go abroad next year to learn
such seeking spirit from comrades in other countries; and I was determined
to try anything towards that end.
Then I heard from two fellow Soka students about Capitol University (CU) in the Philippines. They told me that the President and Vice President of CU are looking forward to meeting new Soka students to study there. I then thought I would like to become a medium in constructing a golden bridge between the Philippines and Japan, which was why I eventually came to the Philippines.
My Life in the Philippines
with my friends
with my friend in Sagada
My life in the Philippines was much tougher than I had expected it. I first
arrived in Cebu on the first week of May and stayed there for a month.
I enrolled in an English Language Institute to develop my English ability
before finally going to Cagayan de Oro City. However, because of my exposure
to a terribly hot sun everyday, I began to develop “sun allergy.” In June
when I finally arrived in Cagayan de Oro, I suffered from insomnia due
to stress. In school, I attended the difficult English classes mixed with
the local Visayan dialect that was scheduled early in the morning, which
also meant additional stress for me since I wasn’t used to getting up early
in the morning.
President Juarez and his wife Dr. Juarez were the first ones who encouraged and supported me when I was suffering from all those difficulties. Every time we meet, our conversation usually started from such casual exchange like, “Hi Kenji! How are you? Do you have any problem? How is your apartment? How are you doing in your class?” Both of them were always concerned about my life in the Philippines. Moreover, every time I paid a sudden visit to them, they always prepared something nice – like some fruits and souvenirs for me and my family. During weekends, Dr. Juarez would even send me encouraging text messages or send them through my email. I really felt as if I was one of their family members because they let me feel protected all the time.
During my stay in Soka University, I was a member of the club, “Vocal Group”, for three years. The Vocal Group is a singing group composed of over 150 members. The motto of the Vocal Group is “Sing for happiness.” I also tried taking part in some club activities as part of my campus life in Capitol University. Luckily, they also had a chorus group called “Glee Club” where I could make the most out of my experiences as a member of the Vocal Group at Soka University. Everyone in the Glee Club was really serious in singing. They had skilled techniques in singing, and they memorize not only Filipino songs so fast but English songs as well. As such, it was really very hard for me to catch up with them. I could say that attending each practice proved to be a strict training for me. However, I was also happy to find that the club members were all kind, nice and considerate. Because there was one time when I was exhausted from hard practice, one member who noticed this picked me up with their family car and took me to the mountain where we could relax and enjoy a good night view of the city and the sea below. Although I really could not attend all the Glee Club practices, they still let me sing with them and I had a fortunate chance to perform twice on stage in front of President and Dr. Juarez. Indeed, it was really one of my wonderful memories.
I was also a member in the Lotus Sutra Research Group (LSRG) which was established two years ago by the two Soka students I talked to before. The LSRG consists of over 30 students who are either SGI or non-SGI members. When the intramural was to be held at CU, the LSRG was assigned to hold a “Musical Show” as part of the program. So, we decided to hold it in commemoration of the second anniversary of the group.
Some weeks before the “Musical Show” however, we encountered many difficulties. This prompted me to chant in front of the Gohonzon before every practice for the success of the show and that every member can participate in the activity to share this important moment of the group. We formed several groups like the chorus group, the taiko group, and the band players. We even invited other SGI members to come to CU and watch our “Musical Show”. On the very day of the anniversary, we agreed to meet in the LSRG room at 8 A.M. However, though it was already past 8:30 in the morning, not a single member showed up except me. I became very anxious that our show might fail, but I wanted to hold it at any cost to commemorate our anniversary and desperately chanted in front of the room. At that very moment, many SGI members arrived, saying “we are all your friends, right?” Deep inside, I cried in my heart with appreciation for their help at a crucial moment. I was deeply impressed about how bright our SGI friends are and have determined to myself that I can never be defeated by any adversity!
At last, we were able to hold a great “Musical Show” with many members. Seeing so many people watching us and with the presence of Pres. Juarez and Dr. Juarez, I felt overwhelmed that everything seemed to be shining. I had never felt such great happiness in my life.
My Determination
with my friends of university's Glee Club
First of all, I would like to do my best in my English examination as a
result of staying here in Cagayan de Oro City, Philippines. President Juarez
and Dr. Juarez are expecting me to do well in my English skills and develop
my personality as a comrade for a peaceful world. The next time I come
back to Cagayan de Oro, I will never fail to report to them and my SGI
friends that, “Thanks to my stay in the Philippines, I could develop myself
this much!” Lastly, I would like to share one of Ikeda Sensei’s guidance
that I have always kept in mind: “Victory and glory can be found in exerting
efforts. A person who advances under any circumstances inevitably triumphs!”
