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 024: July 2008
Taisuke Watanabe (Xavier University in Cagayan de Oro City)
Hello! My name is Taisuke Watanabe, a graduate student majoring in Environmental
Engineering at Soka University.
I arrived in the Philippines last September, 2007 and I'm taking up an
English Course at Xavier University (Ateneo de Cagayan) in Cagayan de Oro
City, Mindanao.
My Way to the Philippines
At the Birthday Party of Mrs. Daguman,
the Headquarters Women's Division Vice Chief
in Cagayan de Oro City
In the summer of 2005, I had a chance to join the English training program
at Soka University of America for three weeks. It was my first exposure
to a different culture; and through that, I was able to gain good experience
in knowing different thoughts, culture, and people. This experience broadened
my horizon, and made me aim at studying abroad in the future. After returning
to Japan, I started finding opportunities to realize my desire. Then, I
met one student in my dormitory who had studied English at Capitol University
in Cagayan de Oro. He often talked about his experience in the Philippines
such as the Filipino culture, school life, various activities of SGI Philippines,
and the warm personality of a certain woman leader in Mindanao region.
His experience had a great influence on me and I came to think of studying
English in the Philippines, above all, in Cagayan de Oro.
However, I had a very trying time preparing for my enrolment in the English course, doing my travel arrangements and so on, precisely because everything was very new to me. I came near to the point of giving up my decision of studying abroad altogether; at such times, I would pore through and read the guidance of Sensei Ikeda, to which I never fail to get a full dose of inspiration and energy to get me back on track in pursuing my dream.
My Life in the Philippines
With the Filipino family I was living with
With my senior and friends
With SGI members in Cagayan de Oro City
I still remember a clear image imprinted on my mind when I first arrived
in the Philippines. I experienced first hand the awesome traffic jam, and
I encountered a lot of street children along the way. I was initially a
bit afraid to make an eye contact with them, for it seemed as if they were
desperately asking for my help. I also noticed that there is a stark contrast
between something very modern and old, rich and poor in the scenery unfolding
before me. Of course, I had already known about such situation beforehand
through my readings and stories related to me by friends. But to actually
see and experience the sight before me was beyond my imagination. Overwhelmed
with all these, I was dazzled and somewhat wavered in my resolution to
pursue my studies here. However, Soka students, SGI members, and a lot
of people around me supported and welcomed me from all sides. Especially,
I was assisted by the Filipino family I was living with who were Catholic.
It was my first exposure to Catholicism, and I simply did not know how
to deal with them. However, I found out later that even though we have
different faith, they respected my own. This family is also a very good
Cagayanon, as Cagayan de Oro City is well known as the "City of Golden
Friendship". They were kind enough to guide me when I am in trouble,
and even nursed me back to health whenever I was out of shape. The Filipino
hospitality that they showed me was also beyond my expectation.
In Xavier University, I was taking up the English course at English Communication
Development and Institute. This course consists of various students from
many Asian countries like Korea, Vietnam, and China. Most of my classmates
have wide-ranging profiles in terms of nationality, age, educational background
and profession. They were very proud of their identity, and have a strong
motivation to study. I was rather impressed with their attitude towards
study, but at the same time I was overwhelmed by a sense of powerlessness
because it was tough for me to keep pace with each session. I could not
even understand their conversation; much less take the floor in the discussions.
But I thought I must get through this problem as a disciple of Sensei Ikeda.
At this time, I remembered his encouraging words that we all possess a
great capacity to overcome any problem. He also said, "If we don’t
receive training in our youthful days, we cannot develop into an excellent
leader." So I tried studying thoroughly and challenged chanting Daimoku
with the strongest possible resolve that I can muster ever since I started
to practice. In order to inspire myself who dreads making mistakes, I started
joining local SGI activities vigorously. Since then my situation improved:
I was gradually able to offer keen insights during the lectures in school,
while in doing SGI activities, I learned about having a strong attitude
toward difficulty from local SGI members while attending the SGI meetings
and in taking up Gajokai duties. Through these activities, I could develop
friendly relationship and share experiences among the local SGI members.
They were confronted with great hardships such as financial problems, sickness,
and family problems. In the face of these adversities, they were anxious
to change their destinies, and continued to challenge their circumstances
by doing SGI activities. I’ve come to the conclusion that nothing is more
important than having strong faith in my life.
My Determination
With Young Men's Division members
in Cagayan de Oro City
I have learned an invaluable lesson through my exposure to the Filipino
way of life. English communication skill is indeed indispensable to get
through the world. But the most important thing of all is a person's humanity
— the profound compassion towards others and an inflexible will to perform
one's mission in life. I have found this element in Sensei Ikeda and SGI
leaders whom I admire. We can develop our humanity through actively participating
in SGI activities. I believe that when I get to have the two wings, that
is, language skill and humanity, I can be the "total person"
that is frequently mentioned in Sensei Ikeda's guidance to the youth. I
would like to improve my English communication skill and humanity by making
the most of the rest of my life here – studying hard and developing my
faith as a SGI member. After going back to Japan, I will continue pursuing
my studies at Soka graduate school to earn a master's degree in environmental
engineering. I hope to have a kind of work some day that would enable me
to contribute something to the Philippines. Finally, I would like to thank
everyone who supported me during my stay in the Philippines. I will never
forget all the kindness and help they gave me. And I am so much obliged
to my parents and Sensei Ikeda for their great encouragement. Once again,
thank you all and best wishes!
