Greeting from President Zhou Hang
Ishikawa – My Second Home
President Zhou Hang
Ishikawa Foreign Students Alumni Association
(Hokuriku University Executive Director)
I first came to Japan in 1986. China’s Cultural Revolution was winding down in 1977, which was the year that the university entrance exam system was reinstated after 10 years and also the year I got into university. I majored in the fields of macromolecular chemistry and polymerization reaction engineering and after graduating I became a university teacher. Later I did my postgraduate studies whilst teaching and researching. I was able to pass the exam to study abroad as part of the Chinese government’s plans to develop young teachers and with this I took the opportunity to do a postgraduate course at the great Kanazawa University. Afterwards having gone from research to postgrad student and then completing my master’s course, fate brought me to Hokuriku University where I would be working. So much has happened since I have come to Japan and this year is now my 28th year here.
When I meet my classmates, friends and relatives I am often asked questions such as “Was it actually a good thing to come to Japan?”, “Was Kanazawa right for you…?” and so forth. Around half of my life has been in Japan and whilst I have been in Kanazawa I have gained important life experiences, made many great friends and have had various jobs… so I cannot give an answer that is anything other than “Yes!!!”
However I have a lot of memories of the tough times from when I first came to Japan. Until I got used to the language, studies, research and lifestyle there were many days of hardship. On the other hand I have countless memories of the fun moments. Lab welcome parties, cherry blossom viewing parties, taking part in research groups, Prefecture hosted parties with the governor, year-end parties with friendship associations, swimming in the sea, hiking, skiing with JICA, research trips to Tokyo with the Foreign Students Association, the portable shrines of the Hyakumangoku Festival, exchange events with elementary, junior high and high school students, tea hours, the first Japan Tent, homestays, rice planting, picking fruit and vegetables and many other moments that I treasure to this day. There were few students from overseas the day I came to Japan and seeing as I was a government-sponsored foreign student, I had been promised that I would get roped into many events. Of course, I also worked hard with my studies and research.
At present the number of foreign students compared to back then is so much higher. However after observing the studies and life styles of the current foreign students I feel as if there is not a great deal of exchange with Japanese people. I dare say it seems as if some foreign students are having almost no exchange. I also think that there appears to be few opportunities for activities to understand Japanese society and culture. I am concerned that students will go back to their home countries without knowing Japan or understanding Japanese people. I think the problem currently is not so much about the number of foreign students at the educational establishments but something much deeper, and I am currently doing all that I can to bring about an improvement.
Needless to say I think that learning about the advanced science and technology of Japan as foreign students is highly important, but on the other hand personal human interaction with Japanese people and gaining mutual understandings is far more important for the human development for each individual student, and this is something that I think people need to be strongly aware of. We who have experienced studying as international students and finished studying can gain from our experiences in Japan. For the sake of our individual homelands and for exchanges with Japan, we can help build bridges between Japan and our home countries.
I hope to meet you all someday whether it be somewhere in Kanazawa, Ishikawa, Japan or the world. I will also give every effort into furthering the development of the Alumni Association with the help of everyone’s support so that we will never forget the important bonds that we have made in Ishikawa. Let’s work together!
I am sure that everyone will forever remember this second home in Japan with its amazing scenery. Recently I have been getting into photography. The cherry blossoms of the spring, the greens of the summer, the red leaves of the autumn, the snowy scenery of the winter and the sea… I have rediscovered the amazing natural beauty of Ishikawa.
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Greeting from Vice President Justin Tobias
For everyone from abroad to Ishikawa
Vice President Justin Tobias
Ishikawa Foreign Students Alumni Association
My name is Justin Tobias and I would like to extend a warm welcome to all members of the Ishikawa Alumni Association. I first arrived into Japan in July of 2002 working as a Coordinator for International Relations for the Ishikawa Foundation for International Exchange under the JET Programme after which I entered Hokuriku University in October of 2005 working as a member of the administrative team. I was appointed as Vice President of the Ishikawa Alumni Association in October of 2012.
Currently, I am working within the International Exchange Centre at Hokuriku University tasked with the internationalisation of the university through numerous activities. Working with Japanese and foreign students on a daily basis, I am constantly reminded of my time as an exchange student in 2000 spending a year at Yamanashi University. Majoring in Applied Physics and Japanese, I was able to spend the year concentrating my studies on the Japanese language while also deepening my understanding of Zen Buddhism and other areas related to Eastern philosophy. I would often spend my weekends attending the Zazen gatherings on Sundays early in the morning at Enko-in Temple of the Rinzai school. I was also able to practice Zen through various Japanese calligraphy classes offered at Yamanashi University and became absorbed in the study of the way of the brush. Currently, I am a student of the Kinko-ryu style of Shakuhachi having started in 2005 under the guidance of a local teacher in Kanazawa.
However I have a lot of memories of the tough times from when I first came to Japan. Until I got used to the language, studies, research and lifestyle there were many days of hardship. On the other hand I have countless memories of the fun moments. Lab welcome parties, cherry blossom viewing parties, taking part in research groups, Prefecture hosted parties with the governor, year-end parties with friendship associations, swimming in the sea, hiking, skiing with JICA, research trips to Tokyo with the Foreign Students Association, the portable shrines of the Hyakumangoku Festival, exchange events with elementary, junior high and high school students, tea hours, the first Japan Tent, homestays, rice planting, picking fruit and vegetables and many other moments that I treasure to this day. There were few students from overseas the day I came to Japan and seeing as I was a government-sponsored foreign student, I had been promised that I would get roped into many events. Of course, I also worked hard with my studies and research.
I often speak with both Japanese and foreign students at university as to their reasons and objectives for deciding to study abroad or in Japan allowing me to constantly evaluate my own reasons and experiences. No matter how many weeks or how many years one stays in Ishikawa and whatever their reasons for visiting Ishikawa, that experience is sure to stay with them for the rest of their lives. We here at the Ishikawa Alumni Association would love to hear from you as to what memories you have of Ishikawa so that we can share your story.
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