Since I am an exchange student at the Sato Laboratory, my life is centered on this laboratory. In this section, I will share the activities of the laboratory for a year.
3.1) Welcome to Tokyo Tech!
Orientation (Freshman Training)
On April 5, 2016, the International Student Support Office hosted a new student training for all exchange students at the Dagon Hill Campus. As soon as we entered the classroom, there was a thick stack of information in front of us, which included: student ID cards, campus tour, insurance related information, how to select classes, the EWU registration card, and how to open an account at SMBC bank, etc.
In addition, I would like to remind students who have received short-term scholarships from the Japan-Taiwan Exchange Association of a few things:
How to get a scholarship from Japan-Taiwan Exchange Association (JTEA)
- In order to receive the scholarship, you must sign and date the "Student Registration Book for Privately Financed Foreign Students" every month.
- Registration books can be found at the Student Support Section, Student Support Division, Taki Plaza B1F, Ookayama Campus, and at the Suzukaedai Student Support Section, J1 Building 1F, Suzukaedai Campus.
- Scholarships will not be paid for any reason during the month in which they are not signed. There are two deadlines for signatures each month. If you sign before the first deadline, the scholarship will be disbursed at the end of the month; if you sign before the second deadline, the scholarship will be disbursed in the middle of the following month. Please refer to the relevant documents for the detailed schedule.
Agent Procedures
If you are unable to come to school on time due to an internship or other reasons, you may apply for a proxy. You will need to submit documents such as a "Letter of Reason for Proxy Charge," "Research Plan," and "Proof of Acceptance" to the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology and obtain approval. If you wish to apply for a proxy stamp, you must consult with the Student Support Section at least two months before you leave the school.
Repatriation travel
When you return to your home country at the end of your period of study at public expense, you will be given an economy class ticket from Narita Airport or other international airports to the nearest international airport to your home country's residence. You will be notified by mail from the Student Support Section of the documents required for the application. However, in the following cases, you will not be eligible for repatriation travel expenses:
- Short-term return (e.g., returning to Japan after returning home)
- Failure to depart before the required date
- Returned home due to personal reasons
- Working or staying in Japan
- Travel expenses already received from other organizations
- Violation of the Oath of the Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology
(sth. or sb) else
When you leave Japan on vacation or to attend a seminar, etc., you must submit an application for the "Transit Application for International Students" (T2APPs). This form can be submitted through the application form (T2APPs) on the Tohoku University Portal. Non-regular students are required to fill out the "Term of Transit for Students Studying Abroad" and submit it to the Student Support Section.
To express my gratitude to the staff of the Student Support Office, I prepared Taiwanese souvenirs for them. Thanks to their patience in answering my numerous questions in English, I was able to complete all the formalities and officially enter the life of an exchange student.
Welcome party (face-to-face meeting)
Japanese schools and companies organize welcome ceremonies for newcomers, kind of like Taiwanese orientation, but more formal. At the welcome party, everyone first introduces themselves and gets to know each other in order to facilitate smooth cooperation in the future.
During my welcome party for new students at the Sato Laboratory, I could already feel the warmth of the laboratory through the interactive dialogues. For a foreigner from a different country, this kind of activity greatly reduces my tension. Especially, Mr. Honda, who is a Chinese-Japanese mix, often helped me to translate Chinese into Japanese, so that I could mingle with the members of the laboratory more quickly.
Birthday Party (Celebration)
The Laboratory's birthday celebrations were initiated by Ms. Nakata, a first-year student in the Master's program, and have become an important event for all of us in the Laboratory to express our gratitude and solidarity. I emphasize the birthdays of each member of the Laboratory, and I use the event to introduce the members of the Laboratory at one time, so that we can get to know each other better. Since the order of birthdays is as follows: Morita→Kida→Prof. Sato→Honda→David→Nakata→Wada→Yamada→Murata, I will use this order as the order of introduction.
Introduction of Researchers
- Mr. Morita from Shuichi.At first, I thought he seemed to hate me. I was often corrected on the use of Japanese and honorifics, and he didn't talk much. However, I realized that he was doing it for my own good, and we used to work together in the research lab, play basketball, and drink wine, as if he were my brother.
- Ms. Kida from the second year of the Master's program.I was always praised as "cute" by her, and she took the initiative to comfort me and encourage me after I was scolded by Mr. Miyamoto for my PPT presentation. She often praised me as "cute", cared about my recent situation, and came to comfort me and encourage me after I was reprimanded by Mr. Miyamoto for my PPT presentation.
- Prof. SatoI am a young and fluent English speaker who treats students like friends and cares about my learning progress. He taught me carefully in every discussion meeting, and even when he saw me eating alone in the cafeteria, he would take the initiative to eat with me, which made me feel the happiness of being in this research laboratory.
- Mr. Honda, the second-year student.I was a Japanese-Chinese mix who was fluent in Chinese, English, and Japanese, and helped me finish my thesis. He often took the train home with me and shared the Japanese lifestyle of paying attention to details, and we still keep in touch.
- David from the first year of blogging.Dean: A Filipino, the only foreign student in the lab besides me.
- Nakata from Shuichi: Super Funny, the person who makes the lab fun, organizes parties and events, and is a key player in warming up the atmosphere in the lab.
- Wada from ShuichiShe was super gentle and kind, reminding me of things I should do, helping me print class handouts, easing my nerves, and sharing the characteristics of Japanese girls.
- Shuji Yamada: Loves basketball, funny, understands girls, smokes cigarettes with Morita-senpai, likes Nogizaka 46, gave me a CD for Christmas, and takes care of me like a brother.
- Mr. Murata from Shoji.: A native of Kyoto, who taught me about Japan like a father, loved to play pool with me, and took care of me in a warm and caring way.
In fact, there is another Saito senior in the laboratory, but he is not introduced in this article because he seldom appears in the group due to his sick leave.
Takoyaki Patties (Octopus Grilled Party)
Shortly after the welcome party, in order to promote the relationship between the members of the laboratory, the seniors organized a takoyaki party in the laboratory. This not only helped me to understand the social activities of Japanese people, but also helped me to integrate into the life of a Japanese research laboratory.
What is a takoyaki parlor?
A takoyaki party is a social gathering, usually attended by friends or family, where people make and enjoy takoyaki together. This kind of party is characterized by being easy and fun, and participants are free to choose and add various toppings according to their own preferences, so that everyone can enjoy their favorite flavors.
Division of labor and cooperation to enhance bonding
In a takoyaki parlor, participants usually divide up the work, with one person being responsible for buying the ingredients and the other for preparing and cooking them. In addition to the traditional takoyaki, you can add a variety of creative toppings such as shrimp, cheese, and vegetables, and even make other snacks such as mini pizzas or salads to round out the party menu.
This kind of gathering is not only about food, but also a good opportunity for bonding and sharing fun. Participants can interact with each other in a relaxed atmosphere, enjoy the cooking process and taste their own handmade food.
In the cozy Sato Laboratory, I began a full and happy life as an exchange student.
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