He studied Japanese and bookkeeping at a vocational school in Japan and is currently a university student at Tokyo International University. We interviewed him about what made him decide to come to Japan, as well as his life in Japan. He also passionately talked about his future dreams in Laos.

Profile

Events that led to come to Japan

Q: What made you decide to participate in the “※Ship for South East Asian and Japanese Youth” program (SSEAYP)” project?

I decided to participate because I wanted to test my abilities and broaden my perspective and way of thinking. I had heard that it was an attractive program for cultural exchange, with excellent young people from various Southeast Asian countries coming together. On the ship, we exchanged opinions on various themes and had many opportunities to interact with other young people, which was a very good experience for me. It also became an opportunity for me to become interested in Japan.

※”Ship for South East Asian and Japanese Youth Program　” (https://www8.cao.go.jp/youth/kouryu/data/sseayp.html) is a program in which young people from Japan and 10 Southeast Asian countries live together on a ship, introduce each other’s countries, hold discussions, and conduct exchange activities in the visiting countries. The Japanese government (Cabinet Office) implements this project with the participation and cooperation of various Southeast Asian countries.

Things that learned at vocational school

Q: Why did you choose to attend a vocational school for bookkeeping as a foreign student in Japan?

I have always liked working with numbers and have also loved mathematics. Since bookkeeping is essential knowledge for various businesses, I chose to study it. Before that, I attended a Japanese language school, but the Japanese used in bookkeeping had many technical terms, which made it very difficult. I mostly memorized everything.

About university life

Q: What are you studying at university?

In the Faculty of Business Economics, we study various fields related to economics, but I am specializing in fields such as startups, macroeconomics, and statistics. In addition to listening to lectures, students also participate in group work and have discussions with each other.

Q: How many foreign students are there at your university?

Tokyo International University has one of the highest numbers of foreign students among universities in Japan, with approximately 1,400 students from around 70 countries studying on the same campus. In the “E-track Program” that I chose, all classes are conducted in English, and it is possible to obtain a bachelor’s degree only in English, which is a unique feature.

Q: How was the transfer examination conducted?

The examination was only an English essay. If you passed the English proficiency test, it was okay. Although there was an environment to learn Japanese after entering the university, Japanese language proficiency was not required for the entrance examination.

Q: Is university life enjoyable?

To be honest, it is not necessarily enjoyable because there are so many assignments that it is currently more challenging than enjoyable. My vocational school days were much more comfortable.

Career Path after Graduation

Q: What are your plans after graduation?

Although I have considered going to graduate school, I have decided to work in Japan. I am interested in working in a bank or other financial institution where I can make use of my skills.

Q: What sparked your interest in finance?

I want to improve the education system in Laos. Education is an important policy issue in every country, but in Laos, the national budget allocated to the education sector is limited, and we cannot change the educational environment. To change education, we first need to review the budget allocation, and that’s why I want to acquire financial knowledge.

Q: Can you tell me about your ideas for improving the education system in Laos?

I want to change the system where the level of all subjects goes up as students progress through grades, just like in Japan. Instead of a grade-based system, I propose a subject-based system where students advance to the next level for each subject. For example, a 13-year-old student who specializes in mathematics can take math classes at the level of a 10th grader and geography classes at the level of a 4th grader.

Q: How are you starting your job search?

I am consulting with seniors and the university’s career support desk. I am also registering on job search websites for students to gather information.

Life in Japan

Q: Where are you currently living?

I am living in a dormitory for international students located about an hour by train from my university. I have been living there since I was attending a vocational school.

Q: How do you spend your time when you are not attending university?

On days when I have lectures until late at night, I return home early, review and prepare for the next day’s classes, and then go to bed. On days when I finish lectures early, I go to the library to study. Wednesdays and Saturdays, and Sundays, when there are no classes, I sometimes go out with my friends.

Q: What kind of friends do you go out with and where do you go?

I go out with other international students from the same university and Japanese friends I met at the Tokyo Professional College of Commerce. We often go to museums. Although I have not returned to Laos since coming to Japan, I have made many friends here, so I do not feel lonely.

Q: How do you manage your living expenses?

In Japan, there are many scholarship programs available, so I am able to live on scholarships without doing any part-time work. I have never worked part-time since coming to Japan. I think choosing Japan as my study abroad destination was a great decision.

Q: Was there anything that surprised you when you came from Laos to Japan?

I originally liked spicy food, but I was surprised when I ate food that was considered spicy in Japan but it wasn’t spicy at all. Another thing is that there are not many people who are loud at home or outside, which is a cultural difference that I noticed. For example, in Laos, when we have “karaoke,” it is common to sing at home rather than at a karaoke place, and we sing loudly without considering the inconvenience it causes to the neighborhood. This is something that cannot be done in Japan.

Q: What do you think is the biggest difference in personality between Japanese and Laotian people?

I think it is a Japanese cultural trait to not say anything unnecessary when studying or working. In Laos, people often talk to their colleagues even when they are working, asking questions like “Have you eaten?” Also, I think the culture of choosing the right timing to talk to someone is a Japanese trait. As I have been living in Japan for a long time, I have become accustomed to these cultural differences, and I have learned to “read between the lines ” as well. (laughs)

Q: What advice would you give to someone who wants to study in Japan?

There are many things I want to say, but if I had to say one thing, it would be to “study Japanese properly.” If you learn Japanese, you can go out with Japanese people and learn more things.

From the interviewer

Keodara Mettaysan has a big dream of revitalizing education in Laos, and he is studying business to achieve that dream. He said that studying abroad in Japan was the best decision of his life, and that it changed his life. I hope his dream comes true.

Keodara Mettaysan

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