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 014: September 2007
Mitsuaki Sasaki
(Ateneo de Manila University)
Hello! My name is Mitsuaki Sasaki. I am a junior and majoring in Law at
Soka University in Japan. I first came to Cebu last March and studied at
an English language school for two months, and then came to Manila. I am
currently studying at Ateneo de Manila University.
My school days in Soka University
with my friends at Soka University
What inspired me the most to study abroad was my experience in the Hoyu
dormitory in Soka University, where I lived together with exchange students
and as a staff supporting their lives and taking care of the dormitory’s
administrative work. Becoming a staff of the Hoyu dormitory was my fervent
wish since I was a freshman, for I wanted to repay my debt of gratitude
to my seniors, and to Mr. and Mrs. Ikeda, who continuously encouraged us
and showed a deep expectation for our future.
During my two-year stint in the dormitory, I witnessed the exchange students
challenging their individual difficulties and tough circumstances they
have encountered in living in a foreign land of Japan and growing up as
human beings, which deeply impressed me. I strongly thought and determined
that I also want to grow up like them. Finally I decided to study in the
Philippines in order to learn English and the development of studies which
was my major interest.
My life in the Philippines
with Young Men's Division members in Cebu
with Young Men's Division members in Cebu
Contrary to my happy expectations in studying abroad, however, my first
experience of life in the Philippines was rather discouraging. Because
for one, my life style was completely changed and I could not study at
the English language school where I so desperately wanted to in Cebu. However,
I changed my mind when I attended the SGI Young Men’s Division’s 5th Manila-Mindanao
Exchange Meeting which was held at Cagayan de Oro. During this meeting,
I joined the local members for the house-to-house visit, where we shared
each other’s experiences. Some of them even talked about their experiences
with tearful eyes. Everyone except me was speaking in Tagalog, so I could
not understand at all what they were saying. Still, I felt their happiness
of embracing the faith and that this sense of happiness arose from the
bottom of their hearts. This meeting opened my eyes to the power of the
SGI Philippines and the importance of faith. I realized that now is the
very time to develop myself here in the Philippines. Since I changed my
mind in this way, I was able to spend a greater time in Cebu upon returning
from the exchange meeting.
Since I arrived in Manila last May, I had to undergo all the necessary admission procedures to study at Ateneo de Manila University by myself, because there is no formal academic relation between this university and Soka University so far. It is in fact rare to come to this university to study at one’s own expense. At first, I did not have even a place to stay in Manila. However, an alumnus of Soka University who is working at a hotel kindly took care of me and allowed me to stay in his staff room. Thanks to him, I was able to prepare for my studies at Ateneo de Manila University without any worries about my housing needs. Meanwhile, I had a hard time with the admission procedures to the university; I often encountered the irresponsible attitude of the staff and the subsequent delay of the procedure, which made me very tired and stressed out. Be that as it may, I also learned the warmness of the Filipino people. The owner of the apartment, to which I finally moved in to, always asked me if I have any problem and if ever I had, he always willingly supported me. I keenly felt the Filipino people’s kindness, which warmed my heart amid my struggle with the stressful procedure.
I was finally allowed to study in Ateneo de Manila University. However,
I had a hard time catching up with the classes, because they were conducted
in English and sometimes in Tagalog which I could not understand at all.
Besides this, the subjects I took up were unfamiliar to me. There was a
time when I could not understand what was being taken up in classes that
I went to the library after class and tried to prepare myself for the next
class which I eventually did almost every day. When I was fed up with studying,
I remembered the exchange students at Soka University who were studying
Japanese very hard every day, which inspired me to make more efforts. Several
months have passed now since I entered the university, and I have gradually
come to understand the discussions in class.
I have discovered that the students at this university are earnest in class. They frequently ask questions, which is rather a rare scene in schools in Japan. I am always stimulated by their active attitudes to learning. Outside the campus, I have also found out that Filipinos cherish their families and friends dearly. I usually go to a small canteen near by, where I often see parents and children talking happily with one another; my neighbors go back to their houses every weekend to spend time with their family; my friends often invite me to dinner, birthday parties or simply for a drink. It has been said that in Japan, the relationships with other people – even among the family members – have weakened in this modern times. In view of this, I think that this is a thing that the Japanese should learn from the people in the Philippines.
My Determination
with my friend at Ateneo de Manila University
Since I came to the Philippines, a lot of people have supported me both
directly and indirectly. Thanks to all the members of the SGI Philippines,
especially of Cebu and Manila as well as the alumni of Soka University
and the Japanese members in the Philippines, I have been able to spend
a great time living and studying here at the same time.
I will never forget those people, and do my very best during my stay in
the Philippines, which I consider is a way of repaying my debt of gratitude
to all of them. Thank you very much.
