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 015: October 2007
Nobue Tokunaga
(University of the Philippines)
Hello, I am Nobue Tokunaga, a 4th year student majoring in English Literature
at Soka University. Since May 2007 I have been studying at the University
of the Philippines (UP) as an exchange student and taking up a course on
Comparative Literature.
The Beginning of My Life in the Philippines
at birthday party
with my friend
About five months ago I arrived here in Manila with a lot of hope and expectations. Although I have had experiences in going abroad before, the culture, atmosphere, and the people in the Philippines brought me a whole new image of the world; for example, there are the cheerful sellers in markets or on the street, the colorful jeepneys with the peculiar sounds of their horns, lively people and children in the Baranggay, and the like. However, the first month since I came here was the hardest time for me because I was overwhelmed by quite a lot of difference, which is the so-called culture shock. Of course I knew that there are difficulties in living in foreign countries, yet my identity as a Japanese made me seek the real good side of the Philippines. Moreover, the ideal images I sought to do in the Philippines before coming over made me suffer in real life. That is to say, I had imagined myself living in an environment where I can always use English. However, I later found out that people here usually speak Tagalog as their first language, and even though they speak English, I could not understand them well due to their accent. At this point, I was always depressed and bored all the time and couldn’t help myself comparing the days I spent when I was in Japan or daydreaming that I was in Japan.
The situation was changed little by little through my earnest chanting everyday. In the beginning, I was full of complaints about the environment among other things and started doubting myself, but after I kept on chanting, I was able to face my weakness, and a strong sense of courage to overcome it welled up from inside of me at the same time. I remembered the Soka student spirit of “never giving up”, which made me determined to change myself for kosen-rufu. I realized that the suffering which had overwhelmed me before was in fact a very small matter. Although one of my concerns was the good environment for studying English here in the Philippines, I did not mind any more because I found out that this came from my egoism – my intention was just to improve my English only for my own sake. I changed this egoistic idea to a new determination that I will learn English for the sake of worldwide kosen-rufu; since then I was able to study English with joy and hope. One of the Soka University guidelines given by the founder, Dr Ikeda, says, “For what purpose should one cultivate wisdom? May you always ask yourself this question!” Since then, I have always kept this guideline in my mind so as to never forget the purpose of learning.
My Present Life in the Philippines
while tripping to a northern part of the Philippines
While my major is English Literature in Japan, the literature classes that I am now taking here are quite tough. The contents of discussion in class are totally different, and I also noticed that the motivation of my classmates here is higher than what I felt in Japan. Usually, we discuss how a story or a poem is related with society and the people at that time, based on the understanding of history, philosophy and ideology in which the author was involved. To tell the truth, I had never learned literary works in that way in Japan. Therefore, it was really difficult and hard for me to catch up with the class at first, however, due to the support of my classmates, now I can understand most of what is being discussed in class even though the assignments being given every time require me to put a lot of struggle. I really appreciate my classmates in cheering me up and supporting me always.
Besides taking up my academic class, I also play badminton as a member of the varsity team in UP. When I first visited the team, I was not sure if they would accept me as a team member owing to the fact that I am an exchange student. But contrary with my worries, the teammates and coach welcomed me with pleasure. Even though I had played badminton for the past 10 years and despite the hard training involved as a member of the team, I really enjoy playing with them.
Fortunately, beside the UP badminton team, I also belong to the Diamond Kotekitai which is the drum and fife group organized by the young women’s division members of SGI Philippines, and I join them in their practice once a week. At first, even though I became a member, I was deeply anguished as to what I could do for the Kotekitai, because I had no experience in playing any instrument. However, I changed my mind positively and resolved that I will be a good supporter by sending them Daimoku. Although I can not teach them any technique, I have been praying to the Gohonzon for the strong bond between the Kotekitai and Sensei and the happiness of all the members.
My Determination
with children at the school in Payatas
In the writings of Nichiren Daishonin, there is a passage that reads, “My
followers, that you had better cut short your sleep by night and curtail
your leisure by day, and ponder this! You must not spend your lives in
vain and regret it for ten thousand years to come.” (WND, p. 622) This
is my favorite passage since I came here in the Philippines. I will make
a lot of effort in all things that I do because I am deeply thankful for
being able to experience life in the Philippines. Meanwhile, I will surely
repay my debts of gratitude to my friends, parents, SGI members in the
Philippines, Soka alumni, and my mentor, Ikeda Sensei. Thank you very much!
Maraming-maraming salamat po!!
