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 032: April 2009
Nobuo Igarashi (Ateneo de Manila University)
(in the middle)
Hi! My name is Nobuo Igarashi.
I am a senior student majoring in law at Soka University.
I came over to the Philippines last February 1 and am presently studying at Ateneo de Manila University.
I am enjoying my stay here in this country so much because each passing day never fails to bring new set of excitement to me!
My Way to the Philippines
The reason why I came here to the Philippines goes back to my attendance
of the 36th entrance ceremony in Soka University where Ikeda-Sensei gave
his expectation to us in which he mentioned theses words in his speech:
"I would like Soka University to become a university that links the
world with friendship. I hope that all of you would greatly strive in learning
different languages. Times are changing. So much so that only being able
to speak Japanese will no longer be acceptable. As such, I would like you
to have a mastery of foreign languages."
I had originally wanted to become a lawyer. However, I reconsidered after hearing what Ikeda-Sensei had to say about foreign languages. At that time, I was in my junior year and because of the very hectic schedule at school, I did not have enough time to prepare for studies abroad given that I have poor English communication skills. Nevertheless, I studied English frantically and asked many of my seniors about foreign universities that they know of. After collecting pertinent information particularly from those Soka students who have studied in the Philippines before, I considered the Philippines as a suitable country for my purpose of study. Because other than studying English, I also wanted to learn about development and NGO-related activities. Then along the way of my enquiry, I met a fellow Soka student who happens to be studying at Ateneo de Manila University at that time and through e-mail correspondence with him, I learned that Ateneo offers good quality education and that the students there are smart and speaks English fluently. That is the reason why I chose the Philippines and Ateneo de Manila University.
Life in the Philippines
with my friends
At first, I studied English at a language school in Baguio for four months. Life in Baguio was very enjoyable for me because the weather there was comfortable unlike the hotness in Manila. Aside from this, I find the local SGI meetings being held here very cozy. Honestly, the local members are not rich at all. Be that as it may, what they lack in the material or financial aspect, they have compensated more than enough with the richness of their hearts. I said this because even though they are struggling financially, they still try to treat me to local delicacies as best they could. Witnessing all this, I could not help myself from being touched and amazed of their hospitality. So much so that I made a resolve to build an SGI center in Baguio some day as my tribute to them.
After these 4 months, I started to study in Ateneo de Manila University. Frankly speaking, classes there are very difficult for me. In fact, in my first quiz, I only got 0.5 out of 10 that made me very disappointed with myself. Moreover, discussion in classes is mainly spoken in Tagalog. I literally could not understand what they were talking about. This made me feel how meaningless it was to be in classes and I even came to the point where I did not want to participate in the classes any more. However, I chanted a lot and shed as much tears as I tried to find a breakthrough. I do not like to be worried myself; more so in making other people worried about me, so in front of my friends, I pretended that I am ok. I made it a point not to be absent in any of my classes, because before coming here, I wrote a letter to Ikeda-Sensei about my study in the Philippines. This being the case, I could not afford to betray my words to Sensei – mysteriously, this became my driving force in transforming my predicament. Consequently, although it was not a sudden change, the situation since then has gradually been getting better. I tried to say a word or two in any discussion, even when my other classmates persisted in talking in Tagalog. Eventually, they have spoken in English just for me, step by step.
Now, I can truly say that I am enjoying and appreciating each day as it unfolds. Moreover, in this humble experience of mine, I keenly realized that I cannot directly change the environment around me. But if I start the change from myself, circumstances would change subsequently. Since I have still one more month left in this country before I finally go back, I am trying to make the most out of everything by studying harder and deepening the bonds of friendship with my friends not only from Ateneo, but also with SGI and other kinds of friends.
My Determination
with my senior
Now, I have a dream which is to work for the United Nations. This came
about from my encounter with my university’s seniors wherein some of them
worked for the United Nations, while others worked in Asian Development
Bank or other international organizations. Suffice it to say, I was simply
inspired by them because they have been engaged in efforts to help alleviate
developing countries. I originally intended to be engaged in a line of
work that had something to do with reducing poverty in the future and considered
working for the UN or any other international organizations to be out of
my league. Besides, I had the notion all the while that only those who
are very smart can work there. However, when I heard their story, I realized
that I can do whatever I want, as long as I will do my best and chant for
it. On their part, they have made efforts to realize their dreams, and
they did achieve them in the end.
As for my dream, I am planning to study economic development in America after saving up. The way to actualizing my dream might be very hard, but I will never give up for the sake of the people who need help. Moreover, I also want to come back to this country someday. This is because at present, I could not do anything much for SGI Philippines, so I want to contribute to SGI Philippines eventually in the future.
