留学生達の思い/ Bhavya from India

 

 Ms. Puthanveettil Bhavya from Kerala in India is a doctoral student in the department of Engineering Science. The laboratory led by Dr. Kali Prasanna Nayak, her supervisor is engaged in controlling the interaction of a single photon with a single atom toward the practical realization of quantum optical fiber networks requiring ultimate control of single atoms and single photons. She is a MEXT Japanese-Government-Scholarship student in the framework of the MICH/AiQuSci Special Program at UEC.

 

 

  Japan is a beautiful country with a very well-organized lifestyle. Of the cleanliness, rules, and peaceful nature, I felt Japan is the most suitable place to live. For technology and innovation, as we know Japan is a world leader. For these reasons, I always wanted to visit Japan. Now, I got this golden chance to live here and explore.

  When I talk about my journey to Japan, the first thing that comes to mind is the tension I had in the few days before the journey. It is because I had no experience of traveling abroad. I always wanted to do my Ph.D. abroad, so I did not want to lose this golden opportunity. And I had to prepare many things related to covid checking in airports and immigration procedures. Then I started my journey from the International Airport near my home. For some reason, I had to travel on connecting flights within India first. So, I reached the biggest international airport in India, Indira Gandhi International Airport in New Delhi. I was so happy that I got a chance to see that airport which was made possible by my journey to Japan. And Japan Airlines was one of the best flight journeys in my life. About the whole journey to Japan, it was not at all difficult contrary to my anticipation. The help and guidance I was getting from UEC till that day were very much appreciable. Especially International office people. I felt they are the most wonderful people in this University.

  Then in the first few weeks, I completed all the basic administrative requirements needed for staying in Japan with the help of my tutor friend assigned by the university. This “tutorship" is great and is an indispensable help for new international students like me.

  About language, I realized it is better to learn Japanese to make my life here easy. After every Japanese class, I am very excited to talk about the Japanese language I learned in class with my lab mate and friends. I want to share one of the incidents that happened to me in which I applied my Japanese knowledge. I went to Meiji Jingu with my friends. While coming back from there, I could not get into the metro to Shinjuku. But my friends could. This means I was left behind alone and was so tense about what to do. I saw one boy standing there alone like me. I asked him "Do you know English? ". He answered no by shaking his head. Then I asked him "Anata wa Shinjuku e ikimaska (are you going to Shinjuku)? ". He said "Hai", meaning yes. Even though I failed to get on the train, I was so happy in the end because I was able to make myself understood in Japanese. I got onto the next train with his help and told him “thank you” in Japanese, namely "arigato gozaimasu". From my first day in Japan, I noticed that everyone here is so happy to thank others for any help. That is one of the best things I have ever seen in my life.

  Ok. I have started visiting places in Japan with my new friends at UEC. But I wanted to plan one trip to any place and take one of my friends there. I invited one of my Japanese classmates to one place. It is a wonderful place in Tokyo, that is Tokyo Skytree. I never had an experience in Japan traveling by train alone. I had no idea how to book the ticket and how to reserve the restaurant. In spite of all such difficulties, I decided to go ahead. With the help of my friends, and convenience store people I finally completed my preparation. My classmate and I started our journey from Chofu station, and proceeding as planned we reached the Tokyo Skytree. When I opened my eyes at its top, I was totally lost in the beauty of Japan that spread before me. I cannot express those feelings in sentences. It was the first time in my entire life standing at this height. I just completed the mobile gallery space by clicking the beauty of Skytree. I appreciated myself for planning this trip. My friend kept on thanking me for inviting her on the trip. I was so happy that everything is done according to my plan.

I am pretty sure that I will get more memorable moments here. Here my life in Japan continues.