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 021: April 2008
Kanae Nishiyama
at "Paaralang Pantao", a free school in Payatas
My name is Kanae Nishiyama.
I am a freshman studying Economics at Soka University, Japan.
I would like to share my experience of participating in the University
of the Philippines Study Program 2008.
My First Impression of the Philippines
with Dr. Abueva, a former presidednt of UP
attending a class with other Soka students
My first impression of the people in the Philippines is that they are curious,
friendly, polite, and so welcoming.
When we first arrived at Ikeda Hall, everyone on the street near Ikeda
Hall was looking at us in a very curious way. I thought to myself that
it was probably because they don’t have much chance to interact or meet
so many foreigners in their daily life. Or was it because we really look
that different from them? Personally, I don’t see so much difference in
our appearances because we are Asians after all. Or maybe they simply wanted
to talk to us, or wanted to become our friends.
I was impressed when we visited the Ikeda Hall where we were welcomed so warmly by the very friendly staff. I like Filipinos so much because they always wear a smile and they have such open friendliness. I saw this not only at the Ikeda Hall but also in other places too. Like when we visited Paaralang Pantao, both the children and teachers there were so friendly and accommodating towards us. I enjoyed our visit there as their friends; not as visitors. I felt this keenly when we were given our snacks after our picture show and other activities that we had prepared for the children. What hospitality! I was so happy because I never expected this at all. I felt they were treating us as friends in a very welcoming way.
I also felt that people here are very polite. I said this because every time when a Filipino talks to a woman, they always say “Ma’am”. I was a bit surprised at first with this because when I lived in New Zealand, almost no one talked in that manner to me. And it made me actually a little bit uncomfortable at first, but now I am getting used to it.
Experiences in the Philippines
with children in "Paaralang Pantao"
Our study program here has been very successful and full of joy for me
so far. I am also very grateful for the many people who are supporting
us, and I should never forget this feeling.
When we visited the SGI Tagaytay Grand Culture Center to attend a Soka
University alumni meeting, I learned that people who prepared for that
meeting had to leave home as early as 5:00 AM. I felt so thankful for them
for their struggle and their warm-heartedness.
Part of our itinerary was to visit the Philippine Culture Center (PCC) of SGI Philippines for the Youth Division exchange meeting. There, the local members welcomed us with open arms, and held a meeting for us even on a weekday. I felt so grateful for their support and I wanted to be like them.
When I have a chance to meet SGI members visiting Japan in the future,
I want to be welcoming and supportive just as the local Philippine members
did to us.
My Determination
with my friends
with my friends at Grand Culture Cente in Tagaytay
Since I came to the Philippines, I have been feeling a terrible sense of
regret about my attitude towards studying. I really felt that I was not
a good student because I was taking my studies for granted and I wasn’t
studying seriously at all. Before I came here, I was studying just because
I had to study. In other words, I didn’t have any specific aim for studying.
I was studying merely because I was a student, so my job was just to study
with no deep thoughts whatsoever on my part. However, my visit to the Philippines
this time has made me think more deeply about the purpose of studying and
my mission. So after I go back to Japan, I am determined to study more
so I can help and save many suffering children in the world.
And most importantly, by participating in this program，I realized what a great friendship Sensei has been extending throughout the world. I said this because we had the opportunity to meet with great friends of Sensei like, Dr Abueva and other distinguished figures. And even though they were very busy, they all welcomed us so warmly just because we are Soka students. Indeed, their bond of friendship with Sensei is solid. For this, I deeply respect and appreciate Sensei, and I would like to follow the path Sensei has created for us.
