OQEANOUS Plus ProgramOversea Quality-assured Education in Asian Nations
for Ocean University Students Plus

OQEANOUS Plus-IJP Report (TUMSAT 2023/Apr-2023/Sep)

2023.10.23

Kasetsart University (The Kingdom of Thailand)
Graduate School of Kasetsart University
Course of Marine Science
First Year of Master's Program
J. K.

  Hello everyone and welcome to my report. My name is J. K. first year of master's degree student from Kasetsart University, Thailand. I'm excited to share my experiences while I was studying in Japan. Hope you will enjoy my reflection of my time here in Japan.

[Reason for application]
  When I considered about country for further study, Japan always be my top preference. There are a few reasons why Japan stood out to me. Firstly, Japan is known for its contributions to marine science research and academic papers since sea of Japan especially in Tokyo bay be a significant role about Ocean Primary Productivity, which relate to my academic interests. Secondly, the quality of technology accessible within Japanese universities is impressive.
 But it's more than just academics for me. I've been fascinated by Japanese culture and language since I was a kid by Anime and Manga. So, my main goal in applying for this program is pretty simple: I want to learn, live, and think like a Japanese. At that time, I thought it would be an exciting and long journey that's why I'm eager to embark on.

[My life in Japan ]
Accommodations:
 My dormitory, named Hoyo Dormitory, is located within the Shinagawa Campus. What is very convenient is that it's just a 3-minute walk from my room to the laboratory where I spend most of my time during my exchange program. Inside the room it has a bathroom and small kitchen where you can feel free to cook. The common area has a shower room, laundry machine, clothes dryer and vending machine that offers various drinks and snacks. This mean I don't have to go outside even if I feel hungry in the midnight, what a convenient place!
 The location of the Shinagawa Campus is very practical. It's approximately a 10-minute walk from Shinagawa station, a major train hub, 30-minute by train and walk from Haneda Airport, an international airport in Tokyo. Additionally, I can easily reach Shibuya, a world-famous tourist attraction, in just about 15 minutes.
 Now, here's the awesome part: since I'm a big fan of museums, I've explored quite a few, especially the National Museum of Nature and Science in Ueno. Thanks to our TUMSAT student card, I can enter the museum without spending a single yen because there's no entry fee for TUMSAT students, thanks to TUMSAT's membership with the museum. And it's not limited to science museums; I also visited art museums and more, some with no entry fees and others offering discounts. I felt incredibly fortunate and hope that those of you who like to enjoy spending your free time exploring museums like me will have much fun!

Food :
  Living in Japan for just five months made me realize something. There's no way to taste all the amazing food this country has to offer! Each region has its own unique dishes, making Japanese cuisine like an enjoyable journey. My ichi ban (number one) favorite? Udon, and when it comes to desserts, absolutely, nothing can beat Dango and Mochi because I like mochi mochi (chewy) texture and seem like everyone in my Laboratory know maybe I ate Mochi so many times.
  Even though I come from a place known for its delicious food, I have never felt homesick because of missing Thai cuisine. Japanese restaurants here can also make me feel full not only stomach but also my soul. But there's one thing that made me feel uncomfortable is the prices. Food in Thailand is super affordable, but in Tokyo, it's almost five times more expensive, which was a bit of a shock. Thankfully, TUMSAT's canteen came to the rescue. The food there is not only tasty but also budget-friendly, which really helped me.
  While you're staying in Japan, don't forget to say 'Itadakimasu' before your meal and 'Gochisousamadeshita' after you've finished your meal.


   Photo 1 Food from canteen of TUMSAT

Study :
  I enrolled in five classes during this period, including both regular courses and intensive courses. In the intensive courses, professors would provide brief lectures or assign tasks such as presentations or reports. When it came to presentations, it was followed by class discussions, allowing everyone to ask questions and discus deeper into the knowledge we had learned. Unfortunately, some of these classes were conducted in Japanese, and I could only catch a few parts.
  During my time at TUMSAT, they provided language classes designed for foreign students. I picked the 'Rapid Beginner Japanese I' class, since I had studied Japanese for three months in preparation for my life in Japan. In this class, I had the opportunity to interact with many other foreign students, which greatly improved my Japanese language skills. It was an excellent class, and I recommend you guys taking the Japanese language class offered at TUMSAT.

Laboratory :
 Inside my laboratory, every member, including Professor Katano, are kind and easy to talk to. They've been wonderful mentors, guiding me through various laboratory tasks. Even though I didn't conduct any research, I learned a great deal from them. We hold a seminar once a week, and during these sessions, I enjoyed the opportunity to expand my knowledge about plankton, from the research papers that members presented.
  One of the most captivating tasks was our monthly sampling cruises aboard the boat named 'Hiyodori.' Whenever 'Hiyodori' set sail for sampling in Tokyo Bay, it was like a mini adventure, even on those tough day. I tried to blend in with other members by speaking phrases like 'Atsui' (hot) and 'Otsukaresama desu' (thank you for your hard work).

 
    Photo 2 Hiyodori Boat.                           Photo 3 Tokyo Bay during Hiyodori cruise.

[From me to you ]
  If you're considering studying abroad, Japan should definitely be in your mind. As I wrap up my period of study here, I feel confident that I've achieved my goals. Despite the language barrier, which can be quite challenging, it never stopped me from fully experiencing Japan. I've made an effort to speaking in Japanese with everyone and diving deep into Japanese culture, including learning common phrases.
  To all those interested in this OQEANOUS Plus program, I urge you not to hesitate. Don't pass up on this incredible opportunity! You won't regret it.


    Photo 4 TUMSAT' s iconic spot 'Unyomaru'