MY LIFE IN JAPAN
My name is Ilma Equilibrina. I graduated from faculty of life science, Bandung Institute of Technology, Indonesia 1 year ago. Its been my determination and motivation to continue my study to higher level (master and doctor program) since couple years ago. I felt experience and education I got in my bachelor degree is still really basic to pursue any contributions in this field. Therefore I decided to apply for International program for frontier biotechnology in Osaka University. I`m really excited when I got accepted into this program, because only 10 people can get into this program and scholarship. I got accepted in Fukui (dynamic cell biology) lab. My Laboratory is focused mainly on the mechanism of the formation of human metaphase chromosome which is really interested for me. Firstly, I want to study in Japan because the education and research technology in Japan is really developed and in the other hand Japan`s culture is still really `Asia` and not much different from Indonesia. furthermore, I choose the frontier Program because this program offers master and doctor program in five years. And also this program is taught in English language which is really few in Japan . In addition, Osaka university is one of the top universities not just in Japan but also in the world, especially in the life science area.
After I got here I`m really surprised with the welcome that my laboratory gave. As for example, they picked me up in the airport, gave me a welcome party and assisted me with a teaching assistant for helping me to manage my arrival and life in Japan.
My lab picture
Now I have been studying and living in Japan for 2.5 months. I feel really lucky to have the opportunity to study in Japan especially in frontier biotechnology program. I think the lecture and courses here are really interested and applicable. Furthermore, I also feel that the researches here are really developed and can really support us in widen our understanding and experiences in science. The researches in Osaka university is really diverse and high-technology, like what I expected before I came here. In addition Osaka university is really supportive in helping the international students, from our studies to our lives here in Osaka. In other hand my life here in Japan is also really fun. Osaka has so many interesting culture, nature and places. And finally, through living here, I have so many new life experiences and learning, such as, living independently, meeting new people and learning new different culture (from classmates that come from different countries). But I also feel that it's really difficult to live and study here if we cannot speak Japanese. Therefore it motivated me more to learn Japanese language.