Japan and lifetime journey

A tornado ripped through Hojo (a beautiful community at the foot of Mt. Tsukuba in Ibaraki Prefecture in Japan) leaving behind one boy dead, several injured, and many who lost their houses and properties, but gratefully, alive. Support groups have visited the victims and reconstruction of lives and properties are now ongoing.

Once again, the world is witness to the resiliency and efficiency of the Japanese people in the face of disaster and calamities. The world will always remember the image of strength, quiet resolve, and firm determination to move on of the Japanese people despite and beyond the 3/11 deadly earthquake, tsunami, and nuclear contamination. The recent tornado is again another recent reminder of that admirable fortitude and efficient support system, among other admirable qualities, that sustain the Japanese people and their communities.

Mt. Tsukuba can be viewed from our home. Although Toyo University where I teach is in Tokyo, our family unanimously chose Tsukuba City for our home and residence. It is in this international, academic and research center where we all spent many memorable years with other Filipinos, Japanese and other international friends, many of whom were and are still connected with the University of Tsukuba where I completed my graduate studies and where I taught for years as well.

The Japanese Ministry of Education (Monbusho) scholarship brought Tsukuba and Japan in our lives. What I thought would be a short two years of research work, to be followed by 5 years of graduate studies turned out to be an ongoing, continuing journey of a lifetime.

When one goes for scholarship abroad, one ends up not only with a particular line of specialization, but with so much memorable lasting treasures as well as relationships.

For sure, all scholars will have their own stories to share about their study abroad. The stories will be replete with happy, as well as sad recollections. That is certain. In sum, however, the scholars will share that their journey abroad was never just for scholarship, never just for a brief moment or for the duration of the study period.

Those of us who studied in Japan who are in Cebu still come together, mostly to enjoy each other’s company and for updates during gatherings of the Philippine Association of former Japanese Ministry of Education Scholars (PHILAJAMES-Cebu). We just had one happy gathering last May 5th, for the induction of officers with Consul Hata.

For those of you who may be interested as well to study in Japan and to experience a journey of a lifetime, applications for scholarships to Japan are now accepted, with submission deadline on the 28th of May!

For more information, you can refer to the website of the Japanese Embassy in Manila: http://www.ph.emb-japan.go.jp and search under scholarships. Or you can visit or call the Consular Office of Japan, Cebu, 7F Keppel Ctr., Samar Loop cor. Cardinal Rosales Ave Cebu Business Park, 6000 Cebu City, Telephone Number 032-231-7321. Those in Davao can also contact the Consular Office of Davao or those in Manila, the Japan Information and Culture Center (JICC).

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Email: [email protected].