Interview with Indonesian Students in Tohoku University, Sendai – Part 2

You may read here for Part 1.

This time, FUN! JAPAN staff, AL has come to Tohoku University located in Sendai, which is about 1.5 hours away from Tokyo by Shinkansen (bullet train). Wonder what kind of place it is? Look at the photos below.

And if you want to know where it is located, then check it out here↓

Alright, let’s get to the topic: the interview. We have talked to a few foreign students who are studying in Japan. Part 1 is about an Indonesian student from the degree courses, while for this time, we are going to report the interview with an Indonesian student who is currently in her PhD course.

(1) Please introduce yourself.

I am Hana. 39 years old. And I am a mother of 11-year-old and 1-year-old.

(2) How long have you been here? At where and what are you currently doing?

This is my third year here. I am a 3rd year student in the Virology Department, Tohoku University School of Medicine. I am doing my PhD study.

(3) A PhD course, you are amazing. Where were you for your studies before?

My high school is SMA Negeri 24 Jakarta (Jakarta 24 Public High School).

I studied at Public Health Faculty, University of Indonesia for my degree.

I did my masters in Social Behavioral Science at University of Amsterdam, and majored in Medical Antrophology.

So, I has experience of studying abroad before I came to Japan.

(4) What kind of research are you conducting in Virology Department?

My research is mainly about epidemiology. Although I am not a specialist in virus, my research field is in the Virology Department.

(5) How did you learn about this program?

I knew it from a senior who is studying in Tohoku. When I got the scholarship from LPDP (Indonesia Endowment Fund of Education), I contacted with senior from the same scholarship. Then I contacted the professor whom he introduced to me, and when I received his verbal approval, I applied for the program.

(6) When did you start having the thought of studying abroad?

Perhaps from high school Year 1 or 2.

After I heard the story of a friend of my friend who went studying abroad, and I thought that one day I would like to study overseas too.

(7) But why did you come to Japan and why did you choose Tohoku University?

There are a few reasons. One of them is distance.

As I was in Holland before, I wanted to be somewhere closer to Indonesia during my PhD study. In fact, I have 2 options: Japan and Thailand. I have talked to a few seniors, and most of them have recommended Japan. Not to mention the research, through their stories about university life, I had the impression that Japan is good.

Eventually, when I heard that primary education in Japan is good too, I chose Japan as I have kids. Why did I choose Tohoku? Frankly speaking, I didn’t know anything about Tohoku before I decided on my overseas study. Speaking of Japan, I only knew about Tokyo and Osaka. As there was tsunami before, I knew only the places damaged by tsunami. I had 2 options that time, Osaka and Tohoku. As I know quite well about Osaka, I decided on Tohoku which I didn’t know at all at that time.

What I feel now is that, it is a right choice to come to Tohoku University. I have gained the skills of a researcher such as information gathering and data processing.

(8) Your senior was the main information for your overseas study, right?

Yes.

For masters and PhD course, the main information will usually from seniors. It is because they know very well the professors and the situation of the research labs. For degree students, even information on the websites is sufficient. However, for high school students, as they are many who want to know the details of the curriculum, it would be good if the information is shared on the websites. It may the first time they study abroad for many degree students. They may be worried and want to know as detailed as possible.

(9) Apart from that, where do you obtain information on studying in Japan?

Generally, it is from internet. We can get the information from education fairs too.

There are students who collect information from JASSO or Japan Embassy as they want to know more details.

(10) Did you study Japanese before you came to Japan?

Not at all (laugh).

(11) When you were still new here and didn't know the language, were you troubled?

Not to mention the language, I also didn't understand the curriculum, so it was quite a difficult time. I was lucky that my research lab has a tutor system and I have received lots of guidance from the tutor.

As for my daily life, what even now I am troubled is still the culture shock.

For academic, if the seminar is held in Japanese, it is troubling as I cannot understand. But the seminars I join are in English so I can attend. I cannot participate in the discussions as they are in Japanese.

(12) What do you like about Tohoku University?

I like the canteen. As I spend whole day in the lab, every day I look forward to the meal and refreshing time at the canteen.

(13) Do you have any things you like in Tohoku?

2 things I like. The snow and sakura.

It was a touching experience to be able to show snow to my kids and sakura to my mum.

I also like the people in Tohoku. When they help people, they go to the extra miles and take care of others very well.

Since I notice this, I ask for help only when I really need it.

(14) How’s it like for your daily life?

From 9:30 to 17:00 I am in the lab.

Before 9:30 I sent my kids to the kindergarten and primary school. As I am a student, the fees for the kindergarten is very cheap.

(15) By the way, where do you live now?

An apartment. A family oriented apartment but the rental is only 37,000 yen (about 4.5 million rupiah). Compared to apartments nearby university, it is very cheap. In total, it is about 50,000 yen (6 million rupiah) if including utility fees.

(16) How often do you go home?

I go home when my professor asks me to.

As it is for research purpose, the lab will pay for the expenses.

(17) If there is no research, then you cannot go home, right? What do you do when you are homesick?

As my mum wants to see her grandchildren too, I have video call with her every day. Then I heal my homesickness through Indonesian cuisines. There are places that sell ingredients from Indonesia in Sendai. Of course, one can buy them online too. Recently, we also have halal food in the campus.

(18) Have you decided what to do after your graduation?

I had a job before studying abroad, so I will go back to work.

That’s all for the interview with Hana-san.

Lastly, this is the photo of FUN! JAPAN staff AL and Cheak who conducted this interview.