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 007: February 2007
Aya Tohma (De La Salle University Manila)
Hello. My name is Aya Tohma from Soka University in Japan.
I am in my third year and I belong to Prof. Kita's seminar of Economics
Department.
I've been studying at De La Salle University Manila as an exchange student
since May 2006.
What Brought Me to the Philippines
with YWD members
with Kotekitai members
When I was 15 years old, I already determined to study abroad.However, I could not do so during my high school days because I had been
engaged in club activities.That was why I had a strong
determination to be an exchange student when I entered Soka University in Japan
in 2004.
During my college days, I was so fortunate that I met a lot of good friends,
devoted seniors and supportive professors. They constantly encouraged me
in becoming a qualified exchange student.Ikeda Sensei, too, gave me heartfelt encouragement.
Among all those people, there was a senior in
my dormitory who influenced me a lot in coming to the Philippines.She was an exchange student from University of
the Philippines.Every time I talked to
her about my dream, studying abroad, she supported my opinion and encouraged me
to push through.Because of her
encouragement, I was able to study harder to be qualified for the exchange
program.
Soon after I was chosen as an exchange student to De La Salle University
Manila, I sent e-mail to her (She has already graduated from Soka University
in Japan and gone back to the Philippines at that time). I wanted to let
her know about my news immediately. And now we still keep in touch with
each other.
Life in the Philippines
with her friend in Palawan
with Filipino children
When I was in Soka University in
Japan, I took International program, which was a special course for economic
department students because they conducted classes in English. So, before I
came here, I already had some experiences in attending a class that uses only
English.
However, situations in De La
Salle University Manila were totally different from the classes I took in Soka
University in Japan. Of course, my Filipino classmates in De La Salle can speak
and understand English just like native speakers because they have studied in
English since they were in elementary school. Compared to them, my English was
like of a baby.
Aside from my poor English, I did not have any friend whom I could study
together in the beginning of the first term. That’s why it was really hard
for me to catch up with the classes.
Whenever I hit against the wall or I wanted to escape from the realities,
I always recalled Sensei's guidance, “Your visible efforts will give you trust from others, and your unseen
efforts will give you confidence”. Then his words drove me tostudy harder. To catch up with the classes, I have read textbooks so many
times and visited professor's office for questions.
Now I am enjoying the school with my
wonderful friends. I found that Filipinos are so caring, tender, and
friendly.Also they like making someone
happy and smile. When I am not feeling well, they always cheer me up with jokes
and smiles.I like my friends very much,
and I am very happy that I have met them.I would love to keep in touch with them even after I go back to Japan.
My Determination
with Kotekitai members
I spent more than eight months in the
Philippines.I met a lot of great SGI members as well. The members of Diamond Kotekitai
are especially marvelous.
When I joined in the interview for Kotekitai members'admission, I was very
much impressed because they have brilliant thoughts of Sensei, SGI, and
their own futures. They seemed so eager to know more about Sensei, and
devoting their time for other members.
Although most of
them are still 17 years old or less, they will surely become the leaders of SGI
Philippines. The senior members of Kotekitai take care of their juniors very
well.Their behaviors always remind me
of my determination I had it before.
For
my remaining days in the Philippines, I would like to keep polishing myself to
be a person who can repay debts of gratitude.And, I will definitely become a person who broadens the way of world
peace or Kosen-rufu that our forefathers led.
