Interview with Asian students of the Tokyo Metropolitan University (2/2)
All about the students' life in Tokyo
Continuing from last issue, we offer an interview on student life in Tokyo with two oversea students who have been studying at Tokyo Metropolitan University since October 2011.
Interview with
Ms.Wong Yat Yu, Mena
Birthplace: Hong Kong (China)
Hong Kong is a Special Administrative Region of China. It had been a British colony, and its sovereignty transferred from Britain to China in 1997. Because of its special historical background, Hong Kong is a city where both eastern and western heritage and culture exist, such as grand colonial architecture, Chinese temples. The wonderful night view from the Peak is a famous spot of Hong Kong
Research theme:
While performing on-site research, I examine Chinese immigrant communities in Japan with regard to their form, strategies for life in Japan, and identities. Using prior examples, I analyze how foreign immigrants, increasing with the rise of Japanese globalism, are living alongside Japanese citizens, with the intent of contributing to further research on Japan's diversity and Chinese immigrant societies.
Mr. Douangphachanh Viengnam
Birthplace: Laos
Laos is a small land-locked country, located in Southeast Asia. Lao consists of 49 ethnic groups with a total population of approximately 6.5 million. It has a total land surface area of about 236,800 km2. The country is well known among tourists for its exotic nature, traditions and culture. Laos has its own language called "Lao" language; "Sabaidee" (Hello in English) is the word Lao people use to greet each other when they meet.
Research theme:
My research at TMU is largely focusing on the use of mobile phones, particularly smart phones, to estimate road traffic and road surface condition. The main aim of the research is to find out low cost or cost effective approaches for the management of road traffic and infrastructure asset, particularly roads, in a developing country like Laos.
-You mentioned about Japanese culture. What exactly does "Japanese culture" mean to you?
Mr. Viengnam: The things that Japanese do everyday, like eating culture, garbage separation, greeting each other everyday, and so forth. Japanese culture is very unique
Ms. Wong: Sometimes Japanese bow talking even on the phone. Especially, whenever they meet their professors, they always bow. I think some of Japanese culture originally come from China. But nowadays people seldom bow in Hong Kong.(LOL)
Ms. Wong (second from left), who says, "The lively exchange of views with professors and fellow students in study groups and at drinking parties is an important element of my study and research."
-Do you bow now?
Ms. Wong: Yes!
Mr. Viengnam: I do now!
-You do? Really?
Mr. Viengnam: Yeah. My kids say "why do you bow when you talk on the phone?" (LOL)
Mr. Viengnam: One thing that is also unique is when Japanese people accidentally touch each other, they say easily "Gomennnasai*" and "Sumimasen*". Even if you don't feel sorry about anything, you use these expressions.
Ms. Wong: It seems rude to touch each other in Japan, but it is normal in Hong Kong.
-So, you think there are too much sorry in Japan?
Ms. Wong: It is just good I think. It is very polite and very agreeable for me.
*1"Gomennasai" and "Sumimasen" are Japanese words meaning "sorry" and "excuse me." The two students are surprised that Japanese frequently use these words of apology. Indeed "Gomennasai" and "Sumimasen," which are used frequently every day, are also used to express feelings of gratitude. For example, when a person has picked up something that you have dropped, it is common to say to the person "Sumimasen" to express both the feeling of apology of I'm sorry for causing you trouble and the feeling of gratitude conveyed by "Arigatou (thank you)."
Surprises after being a student in Tokyo
Ms. Wong: Studying at TMU is enjoyable. In my department, we have both formal seminars and informal meetings, including study groups and dinner gatherings.
Mr. Viengnam (right above) "going to Mt. Takao( the mountain located in the west of Tokyo attracting many visitors with its beautiful nature and scenery) in the fall with fellow Lao students and some TMU international students."
-What do you mean diner gatherings?
Ms. Wong: NOMIKAI ! *
-I see! You enjoy NOMIKAI here.
Ms. Wong: Yes. We are very relaxed when we do Nomikai.
In Hong Kong, I spent most of the time on formal seminars and lessons. However, at TMU, I spend quite a lot of time on study groups and dinner gatherings. I find out that these informal gatherings are important for my study and research, as I am able to obtain useful information and participate in meaningful discussions through the gatherings.
In Japan you can only say personal things during Nomikai. Even if you know the teacher, you have to wait for Nomikai. It is different in Hong Kong. You can say personal things once you have your first formal meeting. In Japan, we are only relaxed during Nomikai
Mr. Viengnam: Lao people like gathering and drinking, too. But teachers do not join in general. We organize a lot of Nomikai in my laboratory now.
-You both are very busy joining NOMIKAI, aren't you?
Mr. Viengnam: Yes !
Ms. Wong: Yes! Moreover, my relationships with my professors and classmates are closer than that in Hong Kong because of frequent meetings and informal gatherings.
*2"Nomikai" means "drinking party" in Japanese. It means an informal gathering after meetings and study groups where students get together with their professors or fellows and eat and drink together, talking in a very relaxed manner. This is a very familiar scene to Japanese, but the two students seem astonished at the frequency of "nomikai."
What is your image or vision as a Kakehashi ?
Mr. Viengnam (second from left) "with a professor from his laboratory."
In front of the Administrative Office of the International Center of Tokyo Metropolitan University. "I think that student life at Tokyo Metropolitan University is blessed because of the staff who support us and the facilities."
-So, This is the last question. You both study in Tokyo as international students now. You are expected to be some kind of "Kakehashi*" between your country and Tokyo. What is your vision after your study in Tokyo?
Ms. Wong: I want to be a teacher in Hong Kong at University, I want to teach Anthropology including Japanese culture.
Mr. Viengnam: Actually, I worked for an institute before I came to Japan. Though, I haven't had a chance to teach. Now I have feeling that I want to teach on the field I studied here. Of course I would also like to connect Japanese people and Lao people by sharing Japanese culture with Lao people and Lao culture with Japanese people. And now I also encourage and recommend my friends to apply for the scholarship and come here to study. There are still not so many Lao students here at TMU.
-I think that the stories in this interview are very valuable for Asian students who are currently studying in Tokyo and people in Asian cities who are planning to study in Tokyo.
By leading a productive academic life in Tokyo, I hope they will play an active role as a "Kakehashi" between Asia and Japan. Thank you very much!
*3"Kakehashi" is a Japanese word meaning "bridge." It is typically used to signify a person who serves to develop and forge a connection between different countries, cultures, people, or activities.
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