Exchange Student Program Soka University is presently engaged in academic exchange agreement with
96 universities throughout the world. In the Philippines, U.P . had entered
into such an agreement with Soka University in 1988, and De La Salle in
1996. Every year, two exchange students from each university are being
dispatched for the said program.
Aside from that, because this is the only English speaking country in Asia,
many Soka University students come here to study at their own expense.
Furthermore, short term language training program is also launched in Kalayaan
College where Dr. Abueva, a close friend of SGI President Ikeda, serves
as its principal.
File 043: September 2010
Aya Tonari (University of the Philippines)
Hello! My name is Aya Tonari.
I’m a sophomore student at Soka University majoring in Economics.
Last February 2010, I stayed and studied at the University of the Philippines (UP) for three weeks as a member of the Intensive English Program class.
My Life in the Philippines
with my friends
with my friends
Why did I participate in this program?
Firstly, I wanted to be active in something and secondly, I wanted to go abroad to study during a long spring vacation. Soka University offers its students many opportunities to study abroad during a long vacation and since I wanted to see what poverty is really like with my own eyes and I was at the same time interested in the Filipino culture, I chose the Philippines. I was able to learn many valuable lessons through this course, even though I stayed there only for three weeks.
Now, let me relate about some of my great experiences, specifically the importance of meeting people and having the attitude of challenging everything.
During this program, I was able to meet with many people. Namely, my fellow
members who participated in this program, seniors and alumni of Soka University,
local SGI Philippine members, UP students and faculty, and the staffs at
Ikeda Hall, which was our dormitory during our stay. Thanks to their help
and support, I was able to spend a good and worthwhile stay.
Specifically, I will never forget my encounters with the members of this program. Since I didn’t talk with some of them before I came to the Philippines, I was actually very nervous about how to communicate with them. But as we spent time together in doing things such as eating, going to school, attending SGI meetings, and talking, we eventually were able to establish good friendships. Honestly, I had never imagined that we could become such good friends in so short a time. Be that as it may, if I didn’t participate in this program, I would never have been able to meet them for which I’m very thankful for. As such, I will certainly treasure the days we have spent together along with the other members I have met this time throughout my life. It was indeed very meaningful for me to spend time with them through both hard and happy times – everything. Through these encounters, I have learned what friendship really meant. For me, friends with whom you only enjoy your time with aren’t necessarily true friends. Real friends help and encourage each other, even strictly admonishing one another if needed. Also, I believe that true friends motivate and grow up with one another.
Among the many encounters I have made, I really appreciate our seniors of Soka University and the members of SGI Philippines who have graciously supported and took good care of us during our stay even though we only met for the first time.
In school, the Ikeda Hall’s staffs as well as UP students and teachers supported us very much. They always patiently listened to us although we spoke very poor English. When we could not understand their English, they tried to speak very slowly and used other easier vocabulary instead. They taught us English so well that we were able to greatly improve our English.
Through this study program, I learned about how important it is to meet
with people. We can’t live alone in this world and we are bound to need
someone’s help one way or another. With other people’s help, we can live
and keep growing up. Before, I rarely thought about the importance of encountering
people and had always taken many previous encounters for granted. Every
time I realized that I should have done something for them, it was already
too late. In this way, I didn’t put as much effort as I should have towards
others.
In this program, I have met many people too. I have learned that even a single encounter with others is very precious in that it molds me as a person. Thus, I have determined to myself that I’ll cherish every encounter with other people I make in the future.
The other lesson I have learned through this program was the importance of trying everything. This developed after I talked with seniors of Soka Education and SGI members that I realized the importance of challenging things. Compared with the daily life in Japan, life in the Philippines is quite challenging. Nevertheless, the people in the Philippines never complained about it. Rather they kept on challenging their difficulties every day. Everyone shared with me their exciting and unforgettable experiences and all of them encouraged me by saying, “Never give up!” and “Keep on moving forward!” They always have goals and do their best to achieve their goals. As such, the lives of both my seniors of Soka Education and SGI members are glowing brightly to me. I was deeply touched by their determination and attitude towards life.
It is thus very shameful to run away from challenges. In fact, when I reflected on myself, I realized that I have taken too much advantage of my environment. My seniors and SGI members taught me that when I try hard enough until the very end, I can see great results. “Never be affected by any circumstances.” “Be who I am.” “Don’t give up.” – These are the very important lessons in my life that I was able to learn this time. Though I tend to give up easily, I will challenge everything in my life and become a strong person. I want to face everything and win.
My Determination
I'm really grateful to the many people who supported us during our stay for three weeks. Above all, I’m really grateful to Dr. Daisaku Ikeda. He has always made it a point to hold dialogues with many people thereby creating paths for us, as Soka students. I believe that this study program and my encounters with so many wonderful people were the actual result of his dedication. Accordingly, I’ll never forget his kindness and always be grateful to all the people around me.
I’ll do my best to return the kindness I have received thus far by studying
diligently and fully making use of the experiences I have gained in this
course. Many people showed me true sincerity which I would also like to
do unto others. I’ll share my experiences with as many people as possible.
Because by doing so, I believe this could be one of the ways in repaying
my debt of gratitude to those who have supported me.
Indeed, this training course was a very good experience for me in enabling me to become a strong person.
