Fitria came to Japan in the fall of 2021 as a government-sponsored international student. She is researching career development of Indonesian technical intern trainees in the caregiving field at the Graduate School of Humanities and Public Affairs of Chiba University. We interviewed her about her life before coming to Japan as an international student, her school life as a graduate student, and her dreams for the future.

Profile

Reasons for Studying in Japan/Preparation for Study

Q. Why are you interested in studying in Japan?

I have loved Japanese manga since I was a child and often read Doraemon and other titles. From that point, I became interested in Japanese culture. I had studied simple Japanese since junior high school through manga, but it was not until entering university in Indonesia that I began to study Japanese seriously. At university, I was taught Japanese by Indonesian and Japanese professors. After graduating from university in Indonesia, I taught Japanese and other subjects to Indonesian technical intern trainees working in Japan. However, I was particularly interested in those working in the caregiving field and wanted to do more research in that area.

Q. How did you search for Japanese universities? Have you taken the required JLPT?

First, I looked up scholarship programs in Japan and found a Japanese Government (MEXT) scholarship program for international research students endorsed by the Embassy of Japan. As for the university, I had already decided what I wanted to research, so I contacted a professor who had researched foreign workers in Japan. The professor at the graduate school of Chiba University agreed to accept me, so I decided to go there. The scholarship program required N2 qualification of the Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT), which I passed in 2019. 

Q. Was the study abroad exam difficult? How did you overcome those difficulties?

The scholarship program assessment includes a language test and an interview, as well as a document evaluation. I was nervous about the interview because I had to present my research plan at the university to the interviewer in Japanese. Furthermore, after arriving in Japan, I took an entrance exam to enter a master’s program. The examination was the same as for Japanese students and included a document evaluation and an interview. I studied hard for this entrance exam, both for Japanese and for my field of study.

Q. What was most difficult about the procedure and preparation, from acceptance in the program to departure?

The most difficult part was the delay in departure due to the COVID-19 pandemic. I worked to earn a living until I left for Japan. I had to take online classes while working and was very busy. At that time, as COVID-19 was spreading in Indonesia, I had to take an eight-hour train ride to the Japanese Embassy in Jakarta, the capital, to obtain a visa.

About Life in Japan and Student Life

Q. How did you decide where to live after coming to Japan?

After consulting with the International Support Desk at Chiba University, there was a vacant room in the university’s dormitory, so I applied for it. It was a relief to know this was decided before I came to Japan. You can live in the dormitory for only one year. I have now moved to an apartment about 10 minutes away from the university.

Q. What is a typical day in your life as a graduate student?

*Times will vary depending on the class schedule.

Q. When do you feel happy about studying abroad? What do you find difficult in your studies and research?

Through my research, I have met many technical intern trainees and foreigners working in Japan. Some of them do not speak much Japanese. Therefore, I help them by sharing the information they need. It makes me happy when they are happy. The difficult part is using Japanese. The Japanese for academic research is very difficult. I continue to study Japanese and am currently working on passing the JLPT N1.

Q. What do you do on your days off? Do you have a part-time job?

I go to Tokyo with friends to eat good food and go to classical music concerts. My part-time job is teaching English conversation to undergraduates twice a week in the university.

Q. How do you like living in Japan? Did you have any problems?

Japan is very convenient. Indonesia has many traffic jams and many things are often not on time, but Japan is punctual. When I was looking for a place to move, even if I found a place I liked, I was refused because foreigners were not allowed. I was very disappointed at the time and had trouble finding a place to live.

Interacting with People in Japan

Q. Have you made many friends and acquaintances in Japan?

I made many friends. I enjoy international exchange not only with Japanese people, but also with people from China, Bangladesh, and many other countries at the university. When there were cultural events at school, I introduced Indonesian dances.

Q. Do you have any interaction with Indonesians in Japan?

I often do. We get together with members of the Indonesian Student Association in Japan and have picnics or help with events in the Islamic community. There is a special worship service every Friday afternoon (generally men worship). The event is followed by a dinner and an Islamic class (we listen to sermons on the teachings of Islam) and children participate in Quran reading classes.

Future Goals

Q. What are your thoughts or plans after graduation?

I plan to complete my master’s degree in 2024, but I don’t have any concrete plans after that yet. I do not plan to return to Indonesia right away, but to either continue on to a doctoral program at a Japanese university or to find a job in Japan.

Q. What are your dreams for the future?

I don’t have any special dream or a concrete picture yet, but my dream is to be of help to someone.

Advice for Junior Students

Q. What advice would you give to those who are aiming to study at a Japanese university or who will be coming to Japan in the future?

Japan has a different climate and culture from your country. Please study at least a little of the Japanese language and its culture before coming here. Also, try to find a community of your home country in Japan. There are people who can support you even if you do not speak Japanese. I think the most important part of staying in Japan is the relationships you build with people. Good luck.

Fitria(second from left) / Photo: provided by Fitria

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