Author: davide@gogoworld.com

The opportunity to return to Japan and to study the japanese language, as well as pursuing my Masters in Law, would make an expressive impact on my career and personal life. Being chosen by the JICA scholarship in order to invest my time and efforts in Japan in order to enhance not only my japanese and professional skills, but also create bonds with the japanese society is of paramount importance for my country [Brazil] and Japan.

I have studied in Japan for one year in high school from 2018 to 2019. I was able to live in Japan for a year, make friends, and learn many things about Japanese culture and society. During that time, Japan became my second home and I decided that I would definitely return to Japan. However, living in Japan for four years was very expensive, so I worked hard for a year and a half in Switzerland to save money. On top of that, I haven’t seen my girlfriend for a whole year and a half, believing that the borders will open up and promising to see her as often as possible. I also enrolled in a university this spring, but since I am only taking online classes and there is a time difference, I wake up at 1:00 in the morning and go to bed at 6:00 in the evening every day in Switzerland according to Japan time. The other thing is that I have two Japanese friends who are professional soccer players in Switzerland, and while I have not been able to go back to Japan for a long time, they have gone back to Japan many times to hang out with their friends and family and then go back to Switzerland. Many times, I almost cried as I saw my friends off and watched the plane take off for Japan right in front of me. In other words, my heart is in Japan and my life is happening in Japan, but I haven’t been able to go back to Japan for a long time.

Studying Japanese in Japan means so much to me because I would have the opportunity to practice the language in a native context. Currently, it’s difficult for me to practice Japanese in a way similar to speaking with local Japanese people. If I am studying Japanese in Japan, I will be able to practice the language in unique contexts which I would never have the opportunity to do so outside of Japan. Another thing, being physically present in Japan is an important opportunity for me to meet professionals that share an interest in robotics and software. Japan has a unique robotics industry that is different from other country’s robotics industry which is attractive to many foreign engineers such as myself.

I will have to give up the scholarship I won, I will not be able to participate in that call again and that means that in my career I will not be able to live the experience of being an exchange student.

Translational study in handai is a huge project, the more students come to conduct research it will bring better output, it will escalate the magnitude the depth of the study itself. The more background of international students who are coming to be japan international student will also provides wide variety of perspectives who might not be able acquired from native japanese students. I am coming there to learn and also contribute my time my effort my knowledge to the advance of science.

I cannot foresee my future now that my training is jeopardized for I don’t know how long. A delay will have tough consequences on personal and professional levels. I resigned to be available mid-june for a quarantine period and to start the training in July. I may have to give up my dream to face these consequences.

I worked as a chef for five years, but quit my job to go to Japan to study. I sincerely hope that the Japanese government will allow me to study in Japan as soon as possible.

After more than a year of waiting, the only word that comes to my mind is “despair”. You can’t stop or grab it, and the youth that doesn’t come back disappears and dies.

As a Vietnamese, I am proud of my country because it has very good disease prevention methods. I have learned how to prevent and protect myself from infectious diseases. When I go to Japan to study, I promise to quarantine myself according to Japanese regulations, enroll into the national health insurance scheme, and comply with all conditions set by the school or the Japanese government.

A year is a short time in my life, but I don’t want to waste it. I really wanted to do something for this world. I was in pain all the time. I couldn’t sleep properly at night, and it was painful. As I wrote this letter, I couldn’t help but cry.