Student/alumni voices

Reyna Famila Ayop Descallar

Philippines

Master's course graduate September 2011

It’s almost 3 years since I left Japan and moved to UAE. Summer heat here in the Middle East can be unbearable and grueling. I kept a framed photo of me frolicking in the snow to reminisce the cold seasons I enjoyed so much in Hokkaido.

I was ecstatic when I was granted the scholarship for e3 years back. Studying in Japan has always been a dream for me. Studying in Hokkaido University helped me developed my research skills and meet a lot of passionate people. The opportunity and freedom to be creative with my research was there, thus a good chance of publishing my work.

Looking back, being an active member of e3 prepared me for lots of opportunities including my current job. In e3, one will have the opportunity to meet and interact with students from different countries. I can say it was a great experience and serve as good training ground in working with people from different cultures. I came to appreciate cultural differences and immersed myself to the richness of each other’s heritage. In my current work I often interact with professionals from different countries and thanks to my experience with e3 it becomes a breeze.

When I joined our lab I was the only foreigner and the only lady member. There was a bit of awkwardness between me and my Japanese lab colleagues at the start, but as time goes we became really close. The lab group including my senseis has pretty much become a family. We worked together, went on many weekend trips, academic conferences and party hard. I even joined many nomihodai nights even if I’m not into drinking alcohol.

Hokkaido is a beautiful and happy place for me. Two years went by without me knowing because I enjoyed working with my lab group. I kind of wish that I had more of the day tour events that HU student group organized, the long weekend trips with e3 and the fun excursions with Father Manfred from the House of Friendship.

Coming to Japan not only allowed me to pursue my master’s degree but it also provided me with the experience that I will cherish forever.

31.10.2014

Alumni /