A Story Of How One Lifelong Dream Was Realized Through Management And Science University (MSU)
My name is Nor Hafizah Ishak and for so long I have wanted to further my studies in Japan. It was only back in 2009, though, when I first did anything about it. I went to a scholarship interview, which unfortunately was not a success. In 2014 I had my second chance. I received the Management and Science University (MSU) President’s Award of Appreciation for Excellent Service at the annual MSU Staff Excellence Award, whose prize was a trip to Japan. Thus I flew there as a traveler, and kept my dream of studying in Japan.
I was there for 8 days, and those were among the best days of my life. Japan reinforced my Malaysian values, taught me to be more patient, more humble, and more grateful. No matter how long a time has passed since then, my longing of wanting to be back in Japan has never stopped. Thank you God and Management and Science University (MSU) for the second good news that came knocking on my door: I had been chosen, along with three others, to represent the University on the ASEAN Young Women Leadership Program (AYWL).
Thank you Management and Science University (MSU) for this opportunity to finally realize my dream!
ASEAN Young Women Leadership Program (AYWL)
The AYWL focuses on educating young women to become global human resources who can create dialogues to overcome problems of compromise across multi-lingual, multi-cultural hurdles and religions. Through this program, I have the opportunity of interviewing Japanese and ASEAN women leaders in various fields related to women studies, culture, language, economy, and the industrial development of Japan and the ASEAN nations.
Tokyo Vibes
I was welcomed by a cold breeze when I first arrived in Tokyo. Commuting by train to my designated hostel that night, I was amused by the Japanese, who kept asking me when they saw me lifting my heavy luggages, “Daijyobu? Daijyobu?” Their concern quickly banished any worries I might have about coming to live in a foreign land for the full year to come, cutting through the cold to warm me right through to my core.
Greetings
Every time I enter the campus grounds of Josai International University (JIU), the first persons I meet are the people at the counter. They will say, “Ohayo!”, or, “Konnichiwa!” when they see me or anyone else pass by. In Ni Hon Go (the Japanese language) class, the Sensei teaches basic greetings to everyone in class. We are taught good ethics and attitude. When I finish class, I will say, “Shitsurei shimasu!” to the Sensei. As I pass the counter people again, they will bid me goodbye for the day with, “Otsukare samadeshita!”, which means, ‘Thank you for your hard work!’.
It Is Not Just a Job
In Malaysia, we see only people working in a corporate environment wear a suit and tie. One day, on my way to the train station, I saw two men in suit and tie sweeping the floor. I was so surprised. It is just different in Japan. These people take pride in their job. It does not matter what kind of job, whether it’s on the floor or in the office. We use toothbrush only to brush our teeth but the Japanese use tooth brush also to clean the narrowest of gaps on windows or signboards. When they do something, they do their very best and take responsibility for their job.
Of Sushi and Mochi
I am not a fan when it comes to sushi but believe it or not, that was my first meal when I arrived in Tokyo. I have to admit that the taste of sushi makes me want to love it and hate it at the same time. After finishing my sushi, I was served warabimochi, a jelly-like confection made from starch and covered in kinako. I love it so much because it is chewy and sweet. When I asked my Japanese friend Yuko more about mochi, it turns out there are many types of it and warabimochi is just one of them.
Well then, moshi moshi mochi!
A Story Of How One Lifelong Dream Was Realized Through Management And Science University (MSU)
My name is Nor Hafizah Ishak and for so long I have wanted to further my studies in Japan. It was only back in 2009, though, when I first did anything about it. I went to a scholarship interview, which unfortunately was not a success. In 2014 I had my second chance. I received the Management and Science University (MSU) President’s Award of Appreciation for Excellent Service at the annual MSU Staff Excellence Award, whose prize was a trip to Japan. Thus I flew there as a traveler, and kept my dream of studying in Japan.
I was there for 8 days, and those were among the best days of my life. Japan reinforced my Malaysian values, taught me to be more patient, more humble, and more grateful. No matter how long a time has passed since then, my longing of wanting to be back in Japan has never stopped. Thank you God and Management and Science University (MSU) for the second good news that came knocking on my door: I had been chosen, along with three others, to represent the University on the ASEAN Young Women Leadership Program (AYWL).
Thank you Management and Science University (MSU) for this opportunity to finally realize my dream!
ASEAN Young Women Leadership Program (AYWL)
The AYWL focuses on educating young women to become global human resources who can create dialogues to overcome problems of compromise across multi-lingual, multi-cultural hurdles and religions. Through this program, I have the opportunity of interviewing Japanese and ASEAN women leaders in various fields related to women studies, culture, language, economy, and the industrial development of Japan and the ASEAN nations.
Tokyo Vibes
I was welcomed by a cold breeze when I first arrived in Tokyo. Commuting by train to my designated hostel that night, I was amused by the Japanese, who kept asking me when they saw me lifting my heavy luggages, “Daijyobu? Daijyobu?” Their concern quickly banished any worries I might have about coming to live in a foreign land for the full year to come, cutting through the cold to warm me right through to my core.
Greetings
Every time I enter the campus grounds of Josai International University (JIU), the first persons I meet are the people at the counter. They will say, “Ohayo!”, or, “Konnichiwa!” when they see me or anyone else pass by. In Ni Hon Go (the Japanese language) class, the Sensei teaches basic greetings to everyone in class. We are taught good ethics and attitude. When I finish class, I will say, “Shitsurei shimasu!” to the Sensei. As I pass the counter people again, they will bid me goodbye for the day with, “Otsukare samadeshita!”, which means, ‘Thank you for your hard work!’.
It Is Not Just a Job
In Malaysia, we see only people working in a corporate environment wear a suit and tie. One day, on my way to the train station, I saw two men in suit and tie sweeping the floor. I was so surprised. It is just different in Japan. These people take pride in their job. It does not matter what kind of job, whether it’s on the floor or in the office. We use toothbrush only to brush our teeth but the Japanese use tooth brush also to clean the narrowest of gaps on windows or signboards. When they do something, they do their very best and take responsibility for their job.
Of Sushi and Mochi
I am not a fan when it comes to sushi but believe it or not, that was my first meal when I arrived in Tokyo. I have to admit that the taste of sushi makes me want to love it and hate it at the same time. After finishing my sushi, I was served warabimochi, a jelly-like confection made from starch and covered in kinako. I love it so much because it is chewy and sweet. When I asked my Japanese friend Yuko more about mochi, it turns out there are many types of it and warabimochi is just one of them.
Well then, moshi moshi mochi!