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 031: March 2009
Yuko Furukawa (University of Philippines)
Hello, I'm Yuko Furukawa, a 3rd year student from Soka University majoring
in Economics. I arrived here on May, 13, 2008 and I’m currently studying
as an exchange student at University of Philippines (UP) for 10 months.
Eight months have now passed since then and I will be staying here for
1 and half month more.
Now, I'd like to share the experiences that I have gained during my stay
in the Philippines. Though it was the first time for me to come here, I've
spent valuable days in the following aspects: studying, making foreign
friends and meeting with local SGI members.
My Present Life in the Philippines
with my classmates during the interview
to the professor of Psychology
with my dorm friends
during a festival commemorating 100th
anniversary of the founding of UP
during an event at De la Salle University
(Japanese Musical performed by Filipinos)
Though I've been here for eight months already, I would say that every day is a new experience for me. Since I came to the Philippines to specifically study economic development, I've taken up subjects about the Philippine economy and its realities. In fact, studying at UP was not an easy task than I had expected. The teaching style in UP was quite different from my university back home.
In the 1st semester, I was required to read quite an amount of readings
which were related to each subject. Sometimes, I had to even finish an
entire book of more than 100 pages per subject in a single week! At that
time, I could not afford to rest because I concentrated on my readings
in order for me to catch up with my classes. Other than the readings, I
also needed to prepare for group works such as presentations, discussions
and making of reports. For me to cope up I needed to do research work about
the subjects beforehand; nevertheless, I could have fun in my classes eventually
and did not have the least bit of regret for the preparations I did. I
think this is primarily because the professors always kept asking about
the concepts and explanations behind each of the topic I prepared and gave
ample time in discussing them. I also observed that the professors tried
to establish close relationships with their students which always elicited
eager responses to the questions being raised in class. At first, their
topics and discussions were too difficult for me to comprehend with my
limited knowledge. Besides this and as a matter of course, their English
communication skill was also higher than mine such that all I could do
was just listen to and surmise as to what was being discussed.
As a result, I lost my confidence altogether to speak out my opinions in front of foreign students. In my frustration, I cried and bitterly blamed myself for not being able to freely discuss things with them. So what I did was I chanted honestly before each of my classes and took to heart Ikeda-Sensei's speech wherein he said to the effect, "Take it easy and proceed in a calm manner". My classmates also encouraged me and said, "You don’t have to worry about what you say, nobody would criticize your opinions and we will listen". Thanks to this, I gradually gained confidence and could now express my thoughts clearly.
Secondly, I could have many foreign friends. I am staying in an international
center which is a dormitory for foreign student-residents. At first, I
was very shy about talking with other dorm mates in English. But, the more
I tried to be open-minded, the more friends spoke to me. Every week, I
had dinner with Korean, Philippine and other nationalities. Whenever I
experienced some difficulties they were always there to help me out. For
example, on August I got the dengue disease, which was caused by mosquitoes
that led to high fever and joint pain. I was hospitalized for seven days
as a result. At that time, I could not move freely because of the pain,
injections and lack of appetite. Moreover, on the 5th day, my platelets
level decreased because of my low immunity which means I might need to
stay longer in the hospital unless it increased and returned to the normal
level. So I decided to chant seriously all night by sitting on my bed for
me to increase my platelets count. Fortunately, the following day, my platelets
increased dramatically and finally I could leave the hospital without any
aftereffects. Indeed through chanting, I was totally convinced that it
is solely my responsibility whether my prayers would come true or not through
this experience. Also, during my hospitalization, more than 20 people visited
me and 30 people sent SMS texts to my phones inquiring about my condition.
Thanks to them, I was very much encouraged by their kindness from the bottom
of my heart. Therefore, I feel very appreciative to having many friends.
Thirdly, I could meet many Philippine SGI members. Through my encounters with SGI Philippines members, I felt how they are so truthful, eager and faithful. They taught me the importance of establishing real trust with Sensei regardless of physical distance. In order for me to meet with a wide spectrum of local members, I went to Mindanao such as Cagayan de Oro City and Davao on October 27 to November 1. I mainly visited SGI centers and met the local members there. At that time, Mrs. Daguman welcomed me passionately and cheerfully and even treated me with Japanese food while we talked about her experiences for three hours. I was impressed with her courageous actions because she had stayed in Mindanao for more than 30 years to this day and throughout this time, had taken care of the 3000 SGI members there. Thus, she has tremendously contributed to the development of the local SGI organization. Whenever the members have some form of difficulties, they consulted with her and she considered the solutions together with them. In so doing, she was able to remember each person’s conditions well such as financial, physical, and mental aspects. Even though it is said that Mindanao area is a dangerous place, the local SGI members there seemed calm and are happily living there and carrying out their mission for kosen-rufu. I also visited SGI members in Davao. Since Soka students have never visited them to this date, they took advantage of my visit by passionately asking me a barrage of questions which I honestly had difficulty in explaining. Each member earnestly asked about my experiences in faith; how to enter Soka University; or how to make a good balance between studying and participating in SGI activities. Through this experience, I realized that I should have studied more about my university, SGI activities and Ikeda-Sensei. At any rate, I was really thankful for getting this kind of opportunity and for being able to keep in touch with them.
My Determination
with Filipino boy during a Christmas party
Throughout this experience of studying in the Philippines, I always considered
why I am here and what I can do for the Philippines or how I can realize
this in the short period of my stay. Even though I've yet to find the answers
or solutions to this, I would like to keep on thinking about them by returning
to my starting point and take actions for the rest of my life until I realize
them.
I also would like to express my deepest gratitude to my parents, SGI Philippine
members, my friends at the international dormitory and Ikeda-Sensei and
Ms. Kaneko Ikeda. For without their support, I could never have managed
living or studying here alone. I will definitely never forget their contribution
and dedicate myself further for world peace by training myself from now
on.
