This is the second time for me to participate in GLocal Age 2020 Program. Last time, I went to Thailand in order to study agriculture. In addition to this, I welcomed Turkish students and attended their tour in Fukushima. Through these experiences, my relationship with Turkey strengthened, and I got interested more in agriculture. Therefore, I was glad to give me a chance to go to Turkey. However, although I made friends with many Turkish students, I had little knowledge about Turkey.
This time, my purpose was to broaden my outlook. When I went to Chiang Mai in Thailand last time, I persisted in finding some key of Green Tourism which is my research theme. Therefor I was not able to listen carefully to topics that I was not interested in. That's why I began to study Turkish language, history, culture and culture since I was elected by the member of this program. During preparation for this program, I got most interested in Japanese company, Yanmer, which has started business in Turkey. At the same time, I wanted to get a job of this company.
The first day in Turkey, I felt European atmosphere in Ankara. After we arrived in guest house, we met some people who are working at ITOCHU and JICA, and discuss The Great East Japan Earthquake and nuclear power plant accident in Fukushima. During the discussion, I couldn't say my opinion about it. Though I live in Fukushima now, I have lived in Ehime prefecture which is far from Fukushima when the big earth quake and Tsunami hit. It was just a shameful excuse, I should have studied about this and had my opinion.
Second day, we interacted with Turkish students. I meet again some of my friends who saw before in Chiang May and Fukushima, they welcomed me with hospitality, and introduced about their research on laboratories. Their research and laboratories are interesting for me because I am not major in agriculture. These interactions with Turkish friends are my unforgettable memories, we talked a lot about agriculture.
Last day in Ankara, I was nervous from morning because I had to make a presentation. Before my presentation, I couldn't help crying because of nervous and sadness of leaving Ankara after presentation. In that situation, my best Turkish friend were by my side and cheered me up again and again. During my presentation, I expressed my gratitude to my friends and teachers. I thought that presentation is the my best ever. However, my teacher pointed out my presentation that my presentation was lack of academic points and said to me you had to improve your presentation by next time.
Next city, Antalya was completely different from Ankara in point of atmosphere and climate, scenery as well. Until I graduated from high school, I have been lived in Shikoku, where the Mediterranean climate prevails. Therefor I have been looking forward to feel the real Mediterranean climate. During staying Antalya, I felt as if I were in my hometown. My hometown is also famous in citrus fruits and has temperate climate. Because of temperate climate and beautiful sights, four times of tourists compared with population come and enjoy traveling in Antalya. I wondered if there are any Green Tourism in this region, so asked my question to local people. The answer was not. Green Tourism is said that origins from European countries especially near the Mediterranean country, but is rather famous in Japan I thought.
Later of this program, we stayed in Izmir for three days. In this city, I interacted with many people because many Turkish friends and teachers welcomed me and spent time with us. They introduced us Turkish history and food and sight spots. The second day in Izmir, we met employees of Yanmer company. The aim of brunch in Izmir is marketing for European countries and middle east countries, and their perspective is to get five percent share of their market. They introduced their business in detail, I got more interested in their vision and business. After going back to japan, I applied for job of the company, and my dream is to work at the company in Turkey.
The final day of this program, I had a chance to presentation again. Before the presentation, I practiced my introduction in Turkish, and tried to improve academic points of my research. However, I couldn't reach my ideal. I failed my presentation, I couldn't say what I wanted to say in my presentation. If possible, I would like to make presentation again. One thing I was glad is to have been applauded by the audience after my introduction in Turkish.
The most interesting thing for me was Turkish food culture, because they are different from Japanese food. For instance, in Japan I never eat olive themselves, I use olive for only by olive oil. Moreover, Turkish yogurt was little bit sour and salty for me because every time I eat yogurt in Japan, I put sugar or some fruits in yogurt and enjoy it like sweets. Furthermore, wherever we go, we drunk some cup of Turkish tea, cay, during meeting and after each meal. Kebab and Turkish ice cream is famous for Turkish food in Japan, I enjoyed them in Turkey. They are delicious, so I agree with Turkish food is said one of the world's three major cuisine.
Through this program, began to love Turkey and had relationship with Turkey. Turkish people are more friendly than I expected. I don't want to finish friendship with them, next time my friends will come to Fukushima in summer, I will attend their tour and guide in Fukushima. While I stayed in Turkey, I actively use Turkish, so my Turkish skill has improved day by day. I will learn Turkish by myself and try to keep in touch with my friends in Turkish and English.
Finally, I thought I have to engage in my research seriously. My research is now at a low level compared with world level and my English skill as well. At first, I have to clarify my objective toward Green Tourism, after that I will initiate my research. Fortunately, I have many friends from all around the world. Some of them can communicate with me in Japanese, but others can not. I use English with those who can't use Japanese in order to brush up my English skill. I noticed my current status and found my problem from this program. I study step by step from now.
Thank you for give me precise chance to go to Turkey, and study agriculture in foreign country. I hope to go to Turkey again and show my friends and teachers how I would grow up. I really appreciate it.
福島大学への留学案内・年間スケジュール
