I visited Tohoku University at Sendai last week to interview a few foreign students who are studying at Tohoku University and find out how it is like to study there. Let’s hear what he said.
(1) Please tell me your name and where you’re from.
My name is Ayril. I am from Pahang, Malaysia.
(2) When did you arrive in Japan? What are you doing?
This is my 4th year in Japan. I am studying mechanical engineering at Tohoku University. This is the last year for my degree program.
(3) Why did you choose Tohoku University?
Because Tohoku University chose me? (haha…)
Erm… actually when I study Japanese, I sat for the EJU (Examination for Japanese University Admission for International Students). Then, my counseling teacher advised me to apply for this university after looking at my result.
In fact, it was a good choice. The university has a high ranking among universities in Japan. Plus, Tohoku area itself is has a rich natural environment. And also, Sendai is a city with all kinds of facilities but it is not as busy at major cities like Tokyo.
Sendai, and also Tohoku University is a multicultural environment too.
I love Sendai. That’s why I am planning to find a job here after my graduation at the end of March.
(4) What? You are going to work here in Sendai next April?
Yes. I am going to work for a medium size company at Sendai.
I am going to be a programmer.
I am studying mechanical engineering, and “programming” is only one of the subjects that I study in the classroom. However, since Japanese companies tend to provide sufficient training for newcomers, I think it won’t be a problem for me to work as a programmer.
(5) Do you like Sendai that much? Well there must be something in Sendai which can be improved, right? Are there any inconveniences in Sendai?
Yes! I do like Sendai!
About improvements which could be implemented:
1 About snow. The climate of Sendai is cold. When it is cold, and if the wind is strong, it is painful! I fell on the icy and slippery road few times before when I rode my Gentsuki (a small motorbike which is less than 50cc). It is dangerous too.
2 About places for Solat. If you are talking about Halal food, there are even canteens with a few types of daily-change set menus in my campus. If you visit the city center, you can enjoy the famous food in Sendai, beef tongue, at Halal restaurants.
However, if you are talking about places for prayers, it isn’t provided. Some prayers rooms are available at Halal restaurants in Tokyo, but not in Tohoku.
I usually choose places with less human traffic to pray, sometimes near the stairs. I was once reported by someone because of my “suspicious” action at a “hidden place”. It is a fact that not much people know about Islam in this area.
(6) You parents are in Malaysia, right? Don’t you feel lonely? What do you do when you are homesick?
Yes. They are in Malaysia. I often buy Skype Credit and will call mum using Skype voice call when I feel lonely. The internet connection in my house in hometown is not that good, so I do not make video calls.
(7) How are you doing? Do you go back frequently? Do you go back during Hari Raya?
For me, I go back to Malaysia once a year.
Usually during summer holiday. Spring holiday is a period that I do not want to leave Japan. The weather is nice, the Sakura viewing is nice, how can I leave Japan at the best timing of the year?
I never went home for Raya since I am in Japan. But sometimes, we gather for Buka Puasa and Raya, and it is not that lonely for me.
(8) Do you play sports during the weekend?
Because of the heavy snow in Tohoku area, there are ski resorts with thick snow. I love snowboarding. As such, I visited ski resorts for 4 to 5 times last season.
Besides that, I visit the local Toastmasters club once a week. It is a club to practice public speaking, using either Japanese or English. The club is not related to my University, but I am able to interact with people with all kinds of background and ages.
When I was in Kanazawa University, I played football around 2 to 3 times per month. MSAJ (Malaysian Students' Association in Japan) also organized football competition for Malaysia around that area. Do you play football too?
Football? Nope. We do not have enough members to form a Malaysian football team around here.
But we do play futsal.
There are futsal teams from Indonesia, German, France etc. But Malaysian team is among the strongest one! Uh huh! Malaysia Boleh!
(9) Do you face any problems about money, language, or study etc.? To whom you seek advice for when you face problems?
About money, I have enough from scholarship and part time.
At my part time job, I teach Math and English to high school students, 2 to 3 people in a class. I teach around 2 to 3 times per week.
As for Japanese, there are no problems since I am using Japanese on a daily basis in my class and in my lab.
About my studies, it is fine now. But I couldn’t catch up the syllabus when I first arrived in Japan. It's thanks to the free “Tutor System” provided by the university. At that time, my tutor taught me Math, Physics, etc.
When it comes to job hunting, I received support from the university too. It is a long process to find a job in Japan, but with guidance from the counselor, I know what I should do in next time.
And also, let's not forget about IPIG (Ikatan Persaudaraan Islam Jepun) which is a community which aims to help Muslims in Japan. Not only does it organize activities like BBQ or Rumah Terbuka Raya sometimes, it is a community for us to seek for help from Senpai (senior) too.
Reported by Cheak from FUN! JAPAN Malaysia.
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