JICE International Exchange Program

Ms. Anastasiya Saukova, who visited Japan through the MIRAI program in 2018, is studying Japanese as a second foreign language at university. She won the third place in the Japanese Speech Contest hosted by the Embassy of Japan in Belarus in this March.

―Why did you participate in the MIRAI program 2018?　

For almost 3 years, I have been studying the Japanese language at Minsk State Linguistic University of the Republic of Belarus, but I have never been to the Land of the Rising Sun. I major in interpreting and translation. In order to help establish communication between the Japanese and the Belarusians, a better understanding of Japan in all its aspects is essential, so I decided to broaden my horizons. Being a keen person and having a great interest in Japan, I have experience of participating in various events related to its culture and language such as movie weeks, culture festivals and workshops, volunteering and art contests. For many years I had been reading books about Japanese worldview, history and traditions. I was fascinated by movies about Japanese history. Then I encountered Japanese people who made me understand that both of our countries have something in common and that we may be close spiritually while being geographically far away from each other, so I wanted to check my assumptions and spread my findings. Moreover, I have always striven to travel and explore new things. I felt that studies were not enough for me, I strongly believed that I had many things to learn from the program, which shined like a gem waiting to be discovered. Moreover, various teachers at school and university told me a lot of good things about programs in Japan, so I just followed their advice, applied and was lucky to be admitted.

―What is the most impressive part of the MIRAI?　

It was Japan itself – in all its shapes and forms, colours and shades, tastes and likings – that impressed me most of all. I enjoyed comparing the things I saw, heard and tasted with my previous expectations. I cherish every single minute I spent in Japan visiting the MOFA and prestigious universities, participating in cultural workshops, sharing the experience with the organisers and participants, walking along night city streets, eating tempura and drinking matcha tea. By diving into the atmosphere of the country and talking to its people, I enriched my personality and reconsidered my worldview.

The most touching part of the program was the meeting with the atomic bomb survivor Kiriaki Chieko. We had a chance to discuss serious issues regarding the impact of Hiroshima bombing and global cooperation. As a citizen of Belarus, which suffered from the catastrophic nuclear accident at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant and still bears the scars of such a huge disaster, I felt strongly compassionate about the stories she emotionally shared.

In a nutshell, the program was beneficial for my studies and future, so I express my gratitude to all the teachers, who helped me to improve English and Japanese, to the Embassy of Japan in Belarus for choosing me, to the JICE and MOFA of Japan for well-planned activities and unforgettable experience.

―How was the support from JICE staff and coordinator through the project? If there is more to improve, please kindly advise.　

Everyone from the staff was supportive and attentive. The coordinators guided us excellently through the program and helped me make the most of it by talking to me in Japanese, thus improving my language skills, and they also showed me how to spend my free time here by providing some tips, maps and guidance. The JICE is a role model of how the preparation and organization should go, so I wish you to keep it up and perform even better.

―How did you learn Japanese? Please tell us how the speech contest was.　

At the School of Translation and Interpreting of MSLU, students have an opportunity to choose Japanese as a second foreign language. Basically, we have special events where we can meet our future teachers and native speakers, talk to them and choose a language which suits best. I strongly admired Japan for its uniqueness and was inspired by the beauty of its language, so I decided to devote my life to learning this marvellous language and exploring Japanese culture. The teachers of Japanese are kind and experienced. They share their experience of visiting Japan and working with Japanese and the Japanese, follow the widespread approach known as edutainment and conduct classes in a way which focuses on grammar, phonetics, speech practice, country studies, and translation. We use books and dictionaries written by Japanese, English and Russian authors both in printed and digital forms, discuss the latest news from Japan, listen to different podcasts, write reports or make presentations in Japanese. This boosts my knowledge of formal Japanese. The Japanese with whom I became friends encourage me to learn neutral or informal Japanese more deeply, so I keep in touch with them and learn interesting collocations every day.

In addition, at MSLU there are extracurricular activities such as translation, essay-writing or speech contests. For now, I have taken part in 2 republican speech contests (https://www.by.emb-japan.go.jp/itpr_ja/education_benrontaikai2018reportj.html, https://www.by.emb-japan.go.jp/itpr_ja/education_benrontaikai2019reportj.html) and I am trying to do my best to make a greater speech next year! Now I am preparing a text for GUAM Speech Contest in June. I perceive such events as a challenge which helps you to organize your thoughts, fight nervousness, become brave and learn more new things, than during classes. Last year, I explained to the audience why the word 海 (‘sea’ in Japanese) is my favourite one, this year I shared my view on why words can be so powerful and what should be done with such power. Every time I have to make a speech, I am always so frightened as if it were the first experience of public speaking in my life, but somehow the language itself makes me calm. When I speak or hear Japanese, I feel as if I were listening to music, so even if I have piles of homework, I am glad to do it. No matter which place in contests I take, I am happy with the fact that I managed to practice Japanese and share my views with people.

―Do you still keep learning Japanese? What is your dream or goal in life?　

Yes, I will study Japanese till the graduation. This year, I translated different applications created by Belarusian developers into Japanese. In summer, I usually volunteer as an interpreter or a guide for the delegations which come to Belarus for recreation facilities or to visit historical sites. I am delighted that Japanese is needed in my motherland and I would like to continue mastering it. In the near future, I would like to test my skills and apply to the MEXT or JET programs and return to Japan for an extended period of time in order to deepen my knowledge of this country. I have a great ambition to do my best in order to get more experience not only by sightseeing or communication, but also by entering the academic or the work sphere of Japan. Generally, I am eager to combine my artistic and language skills in order to become an interpreter, a guide or a journalist, but at the same time I am an active, sociable and responsible person who would like to organize events, contribute to exchange programs or set up my own company. The world is full of different opportunities, so I am ready to go in various directions.

In general, I love both Japan and Belarus, so it would be wonderful if I could try building bridges between our countries, or if I were lucky enough, I could try doing even more – to establish or strengthen links with many nations. I was privileged to take part in the MIRAI program and promote both of the countries before and after my stay in Japan. For example, I told people about my motherland, then I made speeches about Japan at university, wrote a lot of different posts with extensive photo coverage and even shared my experience at the MFA of Belarus. I was happy to serve as a mediator or transmitter between cultures. I started to believe that no matter who you are, you can contribute greatly to the relationship between countries and inspire people around. Think globally – act locally. It would be great if I had a chance to do something similar to it again.

As far as my dearest dream is concerned, I would like to continue learning languages and visit as many countries as possible to shape the entire picture of our Mother Earth and understand the concept of a cosmopolitan citizen.

―Do you have any advice for future participants of JICE exchange programs?　

Dear participants, I believe that the more you open up to the world – the more it opens up to you. Sometimes we have to consider our views, step out of a comfort zone or accept a great challenge. However, if you feel that something is waiting or calling for you, just do not hesitate, fill in the application form, click “apply” and let Japan embrace you! It is the very country which can find a way to each person’s heart, so let the JICE help you explore Japan.