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 033: May 2009
Masayuki Konishi (English Training Course in Kalayaan College)
at Soka University in Tokyo, Japan
Hello! My name is Masayuki Konishi, a sophomore at
Soka University taking up Economics under Professor Masami Kita.
I participated in the English training course in Kalayaan College in the Philippines with 9 other schoolmates for
3 weeks. The Philippines is an entirely different experience for me. But the more I learned about the Philippines, the more I came to like and appreciate her (the Philippines).
My Experiences in the Philippines
with my classmates in Kalayaan College
with my friends
There were several personal experiences in the Philippines that deeply
impressed me. First, I was strongly shocked when I saw children selling
merchandise on the street, and there were also others who begged me for
money. Honestly, I grieved deeply inside to see this spectacle because
one could never see such a sight in Japan. I even considered doing something
for them, but at the same time felt ashamed that I was rather helpless
to actually do anything for them. However, I realized two important things
from this experience: First is to face fellow human beings with sincerity.
Street children – who may be filthy with their shabby clothes - are also
human beings living on earth just like us. This candid experience taught
me that I should face people with sincerity and not with any sense of superiority.
Another realization I made was that, I must learn how to take care of my
neighbor. Because no matter how much I meditate on how I can save them,
unless I actually extend a hand to a neighbor, all will be for naught.
Besides, I inherently know that I absolutely cannot assist them, to say
nothing of realizing world peace. They are simply incompatible. Therefore,
I could now fully understand what SGI President Ikeda meant when he always
told us (Soka students) how important it is to always be dutiful to one's
parents.
Secondly, we usually discussed with many Kalayaan students during our free
time such as lunchtime and before and after school. At first, I hesitated
to talk with the students because I am an introvert. But eventually I gradually
came to be more open and was able to pleasantly enjoy watching how people
react to what other people do and say. One day, one of the students asked
us to practice dancing together with them during recess for almost everyday.
Naturally and instinctively, we all followed, but I suddenly cut myself
out in joining the practice along the way; my reason being that I was so
bored by dancing in the first place. Nevertheless our friend who asked
us to dance said to me afterwards, "thank you for coming" with
a smiling face. I was deeply moved by many of the local students who are
kind, sincere, and in particular try to respect others without any sense
of prejudice. This trivial experience somehow made me realize how I wasn’t
open towards other people.
My Determination
with Dr. Abueva
All in all, these humble experiences I have had in the Philippines made
me realize the most important thing as a human being; and that is the origin
of my life that I have been taking for granted all this time. As for my
aspiration, I will carry out things step by step from what I can do – not
only for my own sake – but with a broadmindedness of taking care of a neighbor
which would ultimately effect a change in me. And, in a larger context
this action would cause changes in the people around me and lead eventually
to the realization of world peace. I said this because world peace for
me is an extension of taking care of a neighbor.
Finally, I would like to send my gratitude to everyone who has supported me throughout my stay.
Thank you very much!! Daghang salamat (Visayan dialect for "thank you").
