1. Can you tell me about your stay in Japan including your relationships with your professors, the university community, colleagues, work ethic and so on?

My stay in Japan acquainted me with a new environment where I learned new moral and ethical values through my contact with professors, the university community and colleagues. All these experiences have become part of the unforgettable memory of my life.  
When I was at Shizouoka City, my professor and classmates were hospitable and kind to me since I was the only black African student.  In general, I had a very pleasant and unforgettable time in Japan.   


2. Can you tell us something about the lifestyle in Japan? What were the major challenges?

The life style of Japanese people is unique in many ways. Their food items, transportation, communication, language, technology etc. are extremely different from Ethiopia. At the early stage of my stay, the challenges from cultural clashes were enormous, but as I stayed longer, I got accustomed to most of them and easily conquered them at large.
To tell my encounter, I do remember a moment when I first visited the bus and train station in Shizouka city. I stayed for about 10 minutes but the train and buses had left. Later on, I realized that buses and trains in Japan are punctual and timetabled. Time is very precious in Japan. Finally, one guy took me to the right bus and pointed me to the ticket machine inside the bus where I received the ticket and the change at once from the automated machine. Such moments have marked a long lasting memory in my life.


3. What basic, life changing phenomenon have you acquired from Japan in addition to the educational opportunity?

Among many other things, the most important lessons I learned in Japan are respect for other people, punctuality, and industriousness. Japanese people are devoted to their jobs and to their country which highly influenced me. I internalized this and have taught it to my family too. Of course, it was in this sprit that Japan became a spring board for my present life.


4. You represent the synthesis between the two cultures (Japan and Ethiopia); can you reflect on that, what is unique in the two cultures that you think people should know about?

The most important cultural similarity between the two cultures is the value of respect we attach to our parents and to elderly people. There is also a lot of pride in valuing   a long history of statehood and independence in both countries.  


5. What advice would you give to people who wish to study in Japan?

My advice is that they should learn the Japanese language at least for basic communication as soon as possible because many international students face critical problems to get themselves socialized to Japanese society. They should also attend social events inside and outside their universities because social gatherings are the best places for many critical discussions and sharing valuable experiences. More important of all, they should be time-conscious because time in Japan is priceless. They should complete their assignments on a daily basis. They have to be open minded to learn and respect other cultures too.


6. Thank you again. Do you have any last comment for our readers?

Japan is a wonderful country. I am highly indebted to the generosity of the Japanese people. I will always stand with the people and government of Japan with my full sprit and capacity.
     


Thank You!