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 026: October 2008
Keiko Morimi (Capitol University in Cagayan de Oro City)
Hi! My name is Keiko Morimi, a student majoring in Business Management
at Soka University.
I arrived in the Philippines last May 2008 to study at Capitol University
(CU) in Cagayan de Oro City, as a private student. Although already four
long months have passed since I came to the Philippines, everything seems
to have been like yesterday. My desire in coming over to the Philippines
was to study at Capitol University and I still can not believe that I'm
actually here in the Philippines until now. Be that as it may, I
am very happy to have had this opportunity in my life.
Now, I would like to introduce my life at CU.
My Way to the Philippines
with University's Lotus Sutra Research
Group Members
Both my Japanese and Filipino friends always ask me whether my parents
opposed my studying abroad. Not only did my parents not oppose me to study
abroad, they in fact even encouraged me to study abroad. As Ikeda Sensei
said in one of his guidance "a university’s mission should be to serve
people who, much as they might have wished, have not themselves been able
to receive higher education." My parents treasured this guidance of
Ikeda Sensei.
Also my friends ask the reason why I chose the Philippines. At first actually, I thought of going to Australia and my parents were pleased to know that I have decided to study abroad. But they did not agree on my first plan because I made the decision without properly thinking. I reconsidered the purpose why I wanted to study abroad. Then I remembered talking with my senior friend who was once an exchange student in the University of the Philippines. She confided to me that at first she did not want to study in the Philippines because of prejudice. But in the end, she learned to love her stay and studies in the Philippines. She told me this with a lovely smile. To be honest, I also had prejudice and a fear against Asian counties. But I could not forget her smile. So the more I think about her smile, the more the feeling of prejudice and fear seemed to change into that of respect and love. That is why I chose the Philippines.
Now I can proudly say that I neither have prejudice nor fear, and that
I love the Philippines. For me, Filipino people are so kind and friendly.
Their hospitality is great; most especially with the people in CDO (Cagayan
de Oro) – which is well known as the "City of Golden Friendship."
I am enjoying my life to fullest in CDO.
My School Days in Capitol University
with my friend in Capitol University
with my friends in Cagayan de Oro city
In CU, I am majoring in AB English course in the College of Arts and Sciences.
The first week of September was intramurals week and there was a cheer-dance
contest included in the festivities and celebration. Belonging to the smallest
number of students among all courses of CU, I had no choice but to join
the group. It was my first time to do a cheer-dance so I did not have confidence
in doing it. I could not understand the unfamiliar English and the local
language which were spoken by my teammates and instructor. Every practice
was very hard. Every day I had to practice after class until late at night
and even during holidays – from mooning to evening. I really wanted to
escape from the cheer-dance. But my teammate did not allow me. I could
really feel their passion for this cheer-dance.
Because of my busy schedule, I could not attend SGI meetings, more so,
I could not chant enough. I feel that things are not going well with me
and desperately wanted to rid myself of my worries. Then one day, I had
a whole day's off. That day, there was a 12 hours chanting schedule in
Kaikan (culture center in English) so I decided to challenge myself to
chant. While I was chanting, I realized that my heart was full of complaints
and there was not the least bit of a feeling of appreciation within me.
So I continued to chant hard. Then my feeling started to change and I have
determined to myself that I should challenge cheer-dancing. I also felt
that there is something I wanted to have the most. And that something is
to create friendship with my teammates. That day, I was able to chant 8
hours and this incidentally, was my new longest chanting record in the
history of my entire life.
Since then, I poured my all-out effort in cheer-dancing. Whenever I had free time in the day, I spent it by chanting, and focused on cheer-dance during practice. Eventually, I got used to cheer-dancing and I enjoyed my time practicing. What I used to call my teammates now became my friends.
My most pleasant memory was when I was able to stay at my friend’s house before the contest since we had to go to school very early the next day. I ate dinner together with my friend on the floor while we watched TV and shared our life experiences. What I experienced then maybe commonplace or downright trivial and does not really mean much to others. But during those moments, I just felt that I am part of the picture and that I was a member of the family.
We ended up fourth place on the cheer-dance contest. Nevertheless, we were able to perform well – even the difficult stances which we could not perform easily during practice. Other students were very pleased and excited that foreign students were able to participate in the cheer-dance. We even got a special number for a dance show in the last day of the intramurals and I also danced – Cha-cha. Because of this cheer-dance affair, we became united. I learned that regardless of race and religion, as long as there is unity, nothing is impossible. I am very happy to be able to have this kind of experience in CU. Thus, everything turned out to be a precious memory for me.
My Determination
with my classmates
I encountered a lot of difficulties but I overcame with the Gohonzon and
Ikeda Sensei’s encouragement. Here in the Philippines, local SGI members
have always encouraged and cared about me. I will overcome everything together
with the local SGI members.
I also want to mention about the Lotus Sutra Research Group (LSRG). The LSRG was named by Ikeda Sensei himself and it turned three last September 12. Some of the members already graduated and most of the members do not know much about LSRG and its activities. Even under such situation, we were able to hold our third year anniversary ceremony last September 20 and it is our pride to have President Juarez and Vice President Juarez as our special guests in our ceremony.
I want to contribute to SGI and LSRG more and more. I said this through
my realization that although I had my training in Soka University and in
Japan, I was not able to fully use them. So I have to really challenge
myself and grow further. I am fully determined to move forward and will
always advance so others can say, "she is a real Soka student."
Daghang salamat ("Many thanks" in the Visayan dialect)!!
