My Student Life in Japan (MEXT Scholarship: Patricia Angelica de Fatima Fonseca)
2022/6/7
Name: Patricia Angelica de Fatima Fonseca
Current Tittle: Alumni of MEXT Scholarship
University in Japan: Toyohashi University of Technology
Stay in Japan: 2019 - 2021
It was my very first time living abroad, far from my loved ones to pursue my dreams that were about to come true, in a country that I was dying to visit one day, after seeing the performance of its local band on YouTube. Besides, Japan is one of the most advanced countries in the world, which makes me wish to go there to see and experience everything myself. Finally, I got the opportunity to study in Japan for a Master’s degree in Civil Engineering in the Earthquake Disaster Engineering laboratory at the Toyohashi University of Technology, Toyohashi, Aichi, Japan. There, I studied more about how to design buildings to be strong against earthquakes.
Current Tittle: Alumni of MEXT Scholarship
University in Japan: Toyohashi University of Technology
Stay in Japan: 2019 - 2021
It was my very first time living abroad, far from my loved ones to pursue my dreams that were about to come true, in a country that I was dying to visit one day, after seeing the performance of its local band on YouTube. Besides, Japan is one of the most advanced countries in the world, which makes me wish to go there to see and experience everything myself. Finally, I got the opportunity to study in Japan for a Master’s degree in Civil Engineering in the Earthquake Disaster Engineering laboratory at the Toyohashi University of Technology, Toyohashi, Aichi, Japan. There, I studied more about how to design buildings to be strong against earthquakes.
Apart from my research, I had also studied basic Japanese language which allowed me to communicate and understand Japanese for daily conversation. I met many international friends and made a lot of friends with Japanese people as well. During my free time, I was also engaged in a part-time job to improve my Japanese speaking and the opportunity to learn more about the Japanese working system, even though it was in a supermarket. Meeting many local and international friends there has been a great experience because I had a chance to introduce my country, since most of them do not know where Timor-Leste is and how life is in Timor.
In Timor-Leste, there are only wet and dry seasons, but in Japan, there are 4 seasons. My favorite seasons were spring and autumn. Generally, spring starts from March to May. In spring, I saw many cherry blossoms, and flowers were blooming, at temperatures ranging from 4 to 18 °C. In Autumn, leaves on trees fall after color change and it is so beautiful. I enjoyed winter too, but in Toyohashi, it is rare to see snow, because the temperature is from 0°C to -3 °C.
One of the greatest experiences I had was to observe how the Japanese people manage their waste. Wherever I go, I did not see any trash thrown on the street, or in public area. All trashes were separated into plastic boxes prepared by the government and they have its schedule for picking up at the garbage station in each apartment or house. I was inspired to do the same as soon as I returned to my country. Riding a bicycle to work and school is usual in Japan. However, I walked to the university and laboratory since itonly took 5 minutes from my apartment. When I went out for groceries, I used to catch public buses back and forth. I love everything about Japan, the culture is unique, the people are kindhearted and the most important is, there is a lot of delicious foods.
The life I had in Japan, taught me to be strong, brave, good at time management, and most of all, be grateful for whatever I have in life.
Arigatou Gozaimashita.
The life I had in Japan, taught me to be strong, brave, good at time management, and most of all, be grateful for whatever I have in life.
Arigatou Gozaimashita.
