Nancy, a master course student of University of Ghana, sent us a report on her life in Japan. She is a master course student of University of Ghana, and studied at Tokyo University of Foreign Studies (TUFS) as an exchange student during fall semester of 2018. Toyota Ghana provided her a roundtrip air ticket. She took classes of Peace and Conflict Studies (PCS) program, and also learned Japanese through Japanese learning program provided by PCS. Since PCS program often require students a lot of assignments and reading, she seemed to be very busy. However, she always tried to find time to come to our center, at least once a week, and let us know how she was doing. She cooked Ghanian cuisine for us once (it was so delicious!). She hasn't decided where to complete her PhD course, but she told us that she's also thinking to come back to Japan. We hope she can choose the best way to gratify her interests. Besides, we look forward to seeing her as a scholar in the near future and collaborate in some research project.
Here is her report.
the farewell party at the end of January 2019. (From left) Nancy, Shukulu from Rwanda, Dr. Makiko Sakai, and Dr. Paleker from South Africa
On September 25, 2018, I arrived in Tokyo University of Foreign Studies (TUFS) based in Japan to participate in a student exchange program for the fall academic semester. After a week of orientation and introduction, the program commenced fully. During this period of the exchange program, I was opportune to be attached to the graduate program of Global Studies and International Relations (Peace and Conflict Studies).
As an affiliate of the Peace and Conflict Studies (PCS) department of TUFS, I partook in seven (7) courses both core and elective courses such as Research Methodology in Peace and Conflict Studies, Core Seminar Program, Quantitative and Qualitative Research Methods, Africa Public Policy, African History on Genocide, Global Campus Program, and Africa in Global Politics. Also, at the PCS department, I participated in the Japanese language proficiency class organized twice weekly for all international students in the department.
Also, while there, I engaged in extracurricular activities organized by the Student exchange division for participating international students to socialize and learn some basic Japanese culture. Very prominent of them was the 1 week cultural festival designed for foreign students. More so, I attended the seminars fronted by the African Studies Centre in TUFS, two of which were held outside of TUFS campus. The first was held in Sophia University and the second was in Kyoto University.
Although the entire program was comprehensive and challenging, all experiences have been worth it. As such, that moment come across as a golden opportunity and coming from Africa and Ghana precisely, with a different cultural background, I cannot deny that the exposure has shaped my perspective of life and my academic capabilities equally enhanced.
I would also like to express gratitude to all who contributed to the success of this feet. First of all, I would like to express an immeasurable appreciation to the Centre Asian Studies (CAS), University of Ghana, headed by Dr. Lloyd Adu Amoah for the guidance and granting me the opportunity to represent University of Ghana in TUFS. Again, to Toyota Ghana, your intervention to support my movement to and fro Japan is one that cannot be underestimated and thus appreciate very much. Another thanks goes to the TUFS and African Studies Center -TUFS under the auspices of Prof. Shinichi Takeuchi for the role played throughout my stay in TUFS and Japan as a whole. Lastly, I would want to thank the Department Political Science Faculty and the University of Ghana Student Exchange Division.