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 022: May 2008
Ryo Sakai
(English Intensive Program
at the University of the Philippines) at "Paaralang Pantao", a free school in Payatas
My name is Ryo Sakai and I am a student of Soka University. I am one of
twenty one students of Soka University that attended a special English
Language Program at the University of the Philippines, Diliman Campus.
I would like to take this opportunity to express my sincere gratitude for everyone who had supported us during our stay here in the Philippines.
The Reason I came to the Philippines
at University of the Philippines
with students of UP
In March last year, I never imagine that I would be able to visit the Philippines, but fortunately I could actually visit the Philippines. A great influence on me was an exchange student from the University of the Philippines that I met in Soka University about ten months ago. His name is JM and we were living in the same dormitory.
When I first met him, he impressed me because of his open-mindedness and
his friendly way of talking. Soon we became close friends. Sensei always
says that he hopes for the youth to grow into global citizens. And when
I first met JM, I felt that he is a global citizen with a great personality
and who has many friends with different backgrounds from all over the world.
The more I spent time with JM, the more I wanted to visit his Philippines.
Also as I was an Economics major, I often read about the economic growth
in Southeast Asia and had always wanted to visit it and see it with my
own eyes. I wanted to personally find out how the economic growth was actually
taking place, whether the people were happy or not, and what kind of problems
they now faced as a result of such growth.
Therefore, I decided to go to the Philippines and applied for the University
of the Philippines intensive English Language Program. I am very grateful
for meeting this Filipino friend of mine who had an influence on me and
for the opportunity to visit the Philippines through the UP-Soka Academic
Exchange Program that Ikeda sensei established for us.
The Purposes for the English Intensive Program
with Soka Students
at SGI Philippines Culture Center
One of the main purposes for the UP intensive English language program
was to develop our English communication skills. During our stay, we tried
to speak English all the time, not only in the classroom, but also even
when we talked with each other in our lodging, on the jeepney, and everywhere
else we went. This was not easy for us at all because it was our first
time to live in a English only environment.
There were times we got so confused and eventually came to the point of
being frustrated altogether. Unnecessary misunderstandings happened now
and then because of our lack of communication skills. These misunderstandings
have been solved but it made an impression to me that it is extremely difficult
to communicate in a foreign language. Ikeda sensei always gives us guidance
about learning language to us Soka students He often mentions that he once
went a gentlemen's club in London with Dr. Toynbee without his interpreter
and that he could not communicate in English at all.
Ikeda sensei would often share this episode to us and he would also teach
us the importance of learning a foreign language. And because of Ikeda
sensei's encouragement I have right now a burning passion of learning the
English language and my target is now clearer than I when I started the
program. If I did not try the English only policy, I would never be enthusiastic
about the English language.
Another important purpose of our trip was to raise our cultural awareness, that is to meet with the people of the Philippines, talk to them, learn about the Philippines, experience Filipino life and culture and at the same time to reflect on and appreciate our own Japanese culture.
Experiences in the Philippines
at "Paaralang Pantao", a free school in Payatas
with children at "Paaralang Pantao"
I experienced two things that left am impression on me during my stay in
the Philippines. One was when visited Paaralang Pantao, a school near the
dumpsite in Payatas, We presented a picture show for the students about
a famous Philippine folklore tale "The Monkey and the Turtle"
which as was handmade by ourselves for the children in Payatas. After the
presentation, we were served sandwiches and soft drinks, which surprised
me so much. At first I thought that they should have not brought us snacks
because the money could have been spent for the children and not for us.
However, when I had a chance to talk about this with the chairperson for
our UP tour, she told me that they probably wanted to show that we were
welcome and I realized that I should respect and appreciate it if that's
the way they wanted to express their hospitality.
The other one was, when we met Dr. Abueva, the former President of the University of the Philippines, I could not believe what he said that his parents were killed by Japanese soldiers during World War II. However, he said that he never hated Japanese people because what is evil is war itself and not the people. He also said it is true that Japanese soldiers killed many Filipinos but I only hate the war. I was amazed by this and could only express how generous and what a peaceful way of thinking.
The Japanese government has not even bothered to apologize to the victims, not so many people know how cruel things Japan did in the Philippines and other countries during the war. Mr. Toda, the second president of the Soka Gakkai once said that we Japanese would never be looked up to by the world until Japan is respected by other Asian countries. I think that is time for us to follow the thought such as Dr. Abueva and start building a good relationship with our neighboring countries especially in Asia. This means that it should not only be limited to the political or economical relationship but also on the fundamental level of a decent human to human relationship for the sake of world peace.
During my stay in the Philippines, I learned so much and I started to see things in different ways. Until I joined this trip, I did not truly understand and appreciate what important paths of relationships that Ikeda sensei made for all of us all over the world. However, during this trip, although sensei was not physically present I felt that as if he were with us all along. I could not help feeling how great he was and I felt this every single moment while I was in the Philippines. Ikeda sensei says the foundation for world kosen-rufu is ready. Now we have to build peace on that solid foundation he has created for us. I believe this is my mission as a disciple of Ikeda sensei.
My Determination
at SGI Philippines Culture Center
Finally, I would like to express my determination. First, I will definitely
return to the Philippines as an exchange student in 2009 so that I could
repay my debt of gratitude for Sensei and all the people who support the
Soka University's UP program. In order to pass the examination and get
a place as an exchange student, I will devote myself to studying at any
cost. Second, I will make myself into an invaluable global human asset
who can realize Sensei's vision. I understand only a small part of his
vision now. In fact, it will be impossible for me to understand the entirety
of his vision. Nevertheless, I think it is okay to make my humble start
from here, but I will step forward in my own way, if even by just a little
bit.
Maraming salamat po (Thank you very much!)
