Category Archives: Living

Culture, Living, Tour, Travel

A Semblance of Home

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I was one of the first students who came to NAIST when the COVID-19 pandemic started and I have not been back to the Philippines ever since. I think international students, at least those from countries only a few hours away from Japan, typically visit home at least once a year. But during this period, we faced strict travel restrictions, the possibility of not being allowed to re-enter or yet another period of quarantine should we become infected, and inflated airfare. This continued until late 2022 when restrictions for tourism started to relax but there was still uncertainty at the back of my head that things could change again without warning.

After nearly 2 years without any physical semblance of my life back in the Philippines, a little bit of home came to Japan. A friend told me they would be visiting Japan (in Tokyo) for a business trip and I did not hesitate to schedule a meeting with them. My friend, Gianne Encarnacion, would be coming with other Filipino artists to exhibit their work at the Tokyo Art Book Fair (TABF) in 2022. Although this was an overnight bus ride away from Kansai, I took this opportunity to meet up with her, see and support their art, and catch up with some friends residing in Tokyo.

Tokyo Art Book Fair

We enjoyed the international foods available in Tokyo and had some Chicago-style deep-dish Pizza. We spent the night catching up and getting updates about mutual friends from NAIST and talking about life here in Japan.

Chicago deep-dish pizza
South Asian dinner

The following day, I met up with Gianne and her friends to visit teamLab Planets TOKYO together. We exchanged stories and experiences of the pandemic situation back home and here in Japan. I left when restrictions were at their maximum and so I had no idea what the “new normal” was like back home. We enjoyed our time at teamLab before heading towards the TABF together. I went to her exhibit and helped out a bit where I can before visiting the other booths. Artists from all over the world come here to show, demonstrate, and sell their work. We parted ways as I head off to dinner with another alumnus.

TeamLab Planets

I had never been to a Filipino restaurant here in Japan so my friend and I decided to go together. We met some Filipinos who came here for work and had a night of Filipino food and karaoke. We also talked about his new life in Tokyo, how different things are compared to NAIST, and about the future.

Filipino restaurant in Tokyo
Tokyo International Pen Show

On my last day, I went to the Tokyo International Pen Show with fellow stationary and fountain pen-appreciating friends before having my last dinner in Tokyo and finally boarding the night bus back to Osaka. While I was waiting for the bus to depart, there was a bittersweet feeling inside me. I was happy to meet up with old friends and reconnect with a bit of home but also wondered how much home has changed. Would everything still be familiar when I go back or would things have changed so much that it feels like I’m in another new country? Until I visit home, I can rest assured that at least for the people, they will always give me that sense of familiarity, that sense of home.

Event, Fun, International, Living

NAIST Study Abroad Fair 2021

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Last October 9, 2021, NAIST held an online international study fair. Students from all over the world joined in a virtual gathering to learn and ask about life and studying at NAIST. Over 100 participants joined, and several of the NAIST faculty, staff, and student ambassadors attended in order to carry out the event.

At first, the NAIST President recorded a message for the event, and Masako Shimamoto, Ph.D. from the Division for Global Education gave a general introduction of NAIST. The presentation showcased the campus demographic, and as of writing, the Graduate School of Science and Technology accommodates 697 Master’s and 349 Ph.D. students, 196 faculty, and 167 administrative staff. This high staff-to-student ratio is one advantage of being in a tight-knit community like NAIST.

Proudly, NAIST is part of two flagship projects of MEXT, namely: the Program for Promoting the Enhancement of Research and the Top Global University Project. These programs fund NAIST to promote international and global research and higher education. In addition, NAIST has also produced thousands of graduate alumni who went into careers in academia, industry, and other worthwhile professions. Aside from the top-notch academics and research, Dr. Shimamoto also presented that NAIST has a sizeable international community that is well taken care of. Thus, the prospective students and applicants were very excited to know more about NAIST, and afterward, they were given useful information on the admissions process.

Each division then gave a brief overview of their research and laboratories. Prof. Taku Demura gave a presentation about the Division of Biological Science which features research areas in Plant Biology, Medical Biology, and Systems Biology. Prof. Demura highlighted that NAIST’s biological research tackles multiple levels of life from single molecules to whole organisms, and from basic to applied research. Next, Prof. Yoichiro Hosokawa gave a talk about the research of his division: Materials Science, which studies the structure, properties, and functions of materials — ranging from the subatomic scale to entire molecules and whole devices. Researchers interested in the fields of physics, chemistry, biomaterials, device engineering, and materials informatics will find a good program here with a focus on interdisciplinary photonic nanoscience. Finally, Prof. Keiichi Yasumoto presented the Division of Information Science, which was the first established graduate school in NAIST. The division offers a wide range of courses and projects covering Computer Science, Media Informatics, and Applied Informatics to any of those interested. With an internationally oriented program and the latest research facilities, NAIST truly offers a very good place to pursue graduate studies.

Finally, the most fun part of all was when the participants were able to go into different breakout rooms based on the three divisions and other extra topics. They were able to meet first-hand the faculty, staff, and students of NAIST for Q&A. Here, many of the interested students were curious about further details regarding both academic and non-academic life. Evidently, prospective students looked for a strong balance between research work and extracurricular activities such as campus life and international events. Thus, the organizers exhibited facilities such as the NAIST University Union, student dormitories, sports facilities, and leisure spaces. Overall, the event was a great way for NAIST to attract new international students and gave the opportunity for people abroad to see what life in NAIST is like despite the pandemic. This virtual event was a nice way to connect with those from far away, and hopefully, we get to see them in person once they become part of the institute we all know and love— NAIST.

Club, Event, International, Living

Recycling Market 2020: A Treasure Trove For New and Old Students Alike

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Each year, the NAIST Global Student Network (GSK) Recycling Clubs hosts the Recycling Market with the aim of helping old and graduating students dispose of reusable and good condition appliances and providing support to new local and international students in helping them furnish their dormitory. This year’s event was hosted last April 2, 2020 at Dorm 1 East Wing. 

The GSK Recycling Club strongly coordinates with the International Student Affairs Division which allows them to inform incoming students and to schedule the event at the beginning of the semester to welcome new students and provide support at the start of their graduate studies.

Donations are usually received from old and graduating students. Lots of choices for new NAIST to student to kickstart their student life!

As a new student in NAIST, one of the initial challenges coming to a new country  was purchasing needed appliances to furnish my dormitory. Having the GSK Recycling Market was a godsend event. Not only did it reduce the financial burdens of allocating my budget to new appliances for my dormitory and at the same time, I also got to know other students and made new friends.

The line started even before the venue opened and many new students were eager to get a hold of useful items that they can use for their stay in NAIST. Given the current COVID situation at this time, the event organizers also made it a point to provide guidelines such as only having one person at a time in the storage area to look for an item, and providing hand sanitizer for the participants. 

A happy student finding the rice cooker of her choice!

Lots of items were stocked and were ready for the taking for whoever is in need of them. Students happily picked items that they needed ranging from induction cookers, microwaves, ovens, and refrigerators. GSK members readily assisted the students when handling large appliances. This year’s event was successful both in terms of donation volume and providing for the demand of incoming students. Given the huge amounts of donated items, GSK prompted a re-run the following week, on April 6, 2020. 

Getting your ideal fridge type for your dorm is always a good reason for a thumbs up!

Transitions are hard and scary especially for students coming from abroad. However, it does not have to be difficult as the NAIST community works hand in hand to provide assistance for new students to make an easier transition towards their life as graduate students.  This upcoming October 2020 marks another semester with new incoming students, we hope to see you in the next run of this event! 

International, Living

Home away from Home: NAIST Student Dormitory

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Graduate schools are often located several miles away from home, and sometimes demand long laboratory hours. NAIST is no different, and its on-campus dormitory is the perfect students’ haven.

There are eight student dormitory buildings at NAIST. Two are dedicated for married couples and families, while six are for single occupants. Among the six single-occupant dormitory buildings, half are male-exclusive. For the other half, some upper floors are allotted for female students. In total, there are 559 single, 50 couple and 10 family rooms available for occupation.

Every single room has a single bed, a desk with chair, and often an air conditioning unit
It is also equipped with a closet, as well as a telephone, which can be used to contact the room from a telephone unit outside the dormitory building.

A single room is about 13 m2, which includes a bed, a desk with chair, a closet, a kitchenette, a toilet and a small veranda. Shared spaces are also available in each single-occupant dormitory building. Combined bathroom and laundry areas are situated at every floor, which contains three shower rooms, three washing machines, and a coin dryer. There is also a lounge at every dormitory building, where student parties and casual hangouts are often held.

A small veranda for getting a breath of fresh air.
A toilet of your own can also be found inside.
A kitchenette with sink and gas stove is also installed. Gas supply, though, needs to be outsourced.
Laundry and bathroom areas are placed at every floor.

Rooms for married couples and families, on the other hand, are around 40 to 50 m2 large, and additionally include their own laundry space, bathroom, shoe cupboard, and a dining table. However, there are no shared spaces.   

Parking spaces are also available in all dormitory buildings. Available slots cover roughly 75% of the residents.

For the duration of their master’s or doctoral program, full-time regular course students are eligible for a slot in these NAIST on-campus dormitories. Students who can avail of a dormitory slot are mainly selected based on entrance examination results, but other factors such as distance from the students’ hometowns are also considered. Significantly priced cheaper than accommodations outside campus, the NAIST dormitory is definitely both affordable and convenient for international and Japanese students alike.

In April 2021, NAIST is set to open a shared apartment-type dormitory for Japanese and international students. Its aim is to develop mutual understanding of various cultures, which can prepare the students for entering a global society that awaits them after graduation.

Event, International, Living

International Student Welcome Party (Spring 2018)

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(Featured photo provided by International Student Affairs staff)

How do you start your new life at NAIST?  Becoming a new student at a new university is like beginning a new chapter of a book. A lot of people learn new skills from classrooms. They also gain new experiences from their new friends. Many students know more about their goals in life. It seems like everything in the new university is the beginning of a new journey!

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A clean and beautiful environment at NAIST. Photo by Pattaraporn Tulathum

At the opening of every semester, there are many new Japanese students and international students who begin their studies at NAIST. For this spring semester, the first week of April has many events for new students. For example, there is an orientation for all students, the TOEIC-IP test, and the entrance ceremony. On the other hand, some events are prepared specifically for international students. One of which is the International Students Welcome Party.

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[April 5th, 2018] The Entrance Ceremony begins! Photo by Pattaraporn Tulathum

The welcome party for new international students was held on the evening of Friday (April 11) hosted by the International Student Affairs Division. More than 40 new students from different countries joined this event. These students included Master students, Doctoral students, and Research students. In addition, some of the tutors, who will take care of the new international students for the first 3 months, joined in the fun, too.

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Participating international students were waiting for the upcoming party.  Photo by International Student Affairs staff

This party began with a warm welcome from the Vice President of NAIST and all of the staff. The atmosphere was energetic yet friendly.

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Prof. Kakiuchi, Vice President of NAIST, welcomed new international students at the beginning of this party. Photo by International Student Affairs staff

Participating students introduced themselves to each other. They enjoyed talking with staff members and other students who have also just arrived from overseas.

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Everyone introduced themselves, interests, and hobbies. Photo by International Student Affairs staff

After the ceremony, participants had dinner together.  There were a variety of foods including Japanese food, halal food, snacks, and drinks. While having dinner, everyone also enjoyed light conversations.

After ceremony section, we had dinner together. Photo by International Student Affairs staff

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There were a variety of food and snacks for all! Photo by Pattaraporn Tulathum

That was fun! We look forward to a lot of activities like this within the school year. Hope to see you in the next one!

Event, International, Living

The Secret Sauce to Recycling Success

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The NAIST Global Student Network (GSK) is on a mission to save the environment, and some students’ wallets along the way. The GSK reopened the Recycling Market last April 2 to 4, and we had the opportunity to have a look and a quick interview with the head of the event. Despite the many challenges, this year’s run of the Recycling Market is one of the most successful yet!

Continue reading The Secret Sauce to Recycling Success →