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Many former students apparently
feel that it is difficult to maintain their connections to Japan
after they return to their own country, or are concerned that with
little opportunity to use Japanese after their return, they may
lose the Japanese language skills acquired in Japan. How can you
go about alleviating such concerns? One way is to join a Japan alumni
association.
These associations of former foreign
students to Japan have been established with aims that include the
following: to strengthen the bond between those who have studied
in Japan, create opportunities to build personal networks and help
enhance the standing of current and former foreign students in their
own countries.
There are currently more than 312 Japan alumni associations
in 104 countries around the world (those known to the Japanese
Ministry of Foreign Affairs through overseas diplomatic establishments,
etc., as of August 2009).
They have been established through
the efforts of former foreign students and act as an important place
for international exchange between each of the countries in which
they exist and Japan. Because they are of extreme importance to
Japan, the Japanese government continues to support and provide
cooperation for their activities. Support includes the partial subsidization
of related expenses through Japanese diplomatic establishments located
abroad.
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There are many events and activities
hosted by Japan alumni associations. Here is a sampling:
1) Creating and maintaining
a network among former foreign students
The most fundamental activity of
the Japan alumni associations is to foster friendship among former
foreign students.
They serve as an arena for the
exchange of information regarding the conditions upon students'
return to their home country, the formation of personal networks
and for providing mutual assistance. Activities include the arrangement
for meetings for the exchange of information or for the formation
of personal networks as well as the publication of bulletins and
newsletters.
2) Nurturing and supporting
prospective students
The members utilize the knowledge
gained through first-hand personal experience and provide prospective
foreign students and students scheduled to depart for Japan with
information and advice related to living and studying in Japan.
Concrete examples include the hosting of presentations about studying
in Japan and the holding of pre-departure orientation meetings for
those selected for Japanese Government Scholarships.
3) Introducing Japan
Japan alumni associations hold
various events to introduce Japan to people of their own countries.
They play an important role in enhancing the understanding of Japan
and fostering friendly relations between your countries and Japan.
Such activities include the following:
- Events to introduce or popularize Japanese cultural arts such
as flower arrangement and the tea ceremony
- Japanese film screenings
- Lectures and seminars that utilize the specialized knowledge
former students have gained through study in Japan.
An area of greatest concern to
foreign students who are currently studying in Japan is perhaps
that related to their treatment and employment upon their return
to their respective countries. Exactly how effectively the experience
of studying in Japan can be applied is indeed a major concern.
The establishment of Japan alumni associations by former students
such as yourselves and their activities as described above will
undoubtedly become a great source of encouragement for future foreign
students. The activities of the Japan alumni associations are not
only those meant for former foreign students, but are also activities
that will benefit future foreign students as well.
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There are currently more than 302 associations
of former foreign students in 102 countries around the world.
In terms of region, Asia contains the largest number of such associations
because of the large number of foreign students that go to Japan
to study.
Distribution
of Japan alumni associations by region
In terms of history, the oldest of
these associations is one founded in Thailand in 1951. It was followed
by the establishment of Japan alumni associations in Southeast Asia
as well as East Asia by the 1970s, and later expanded to South Asia
in the 1980s. The 1990s saw their founding in Central and South
America as well as in Africa. You can see that the establishment
of Japan alumni associations has been spreading around the world
over time.
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Although all the members are, of course,
'former foreign students,' membership tendencies differ according
to the association, often depending on how the associations came to
be established or the particular regional or national circumstance.
For example, there are some Japan alumni
associations that are characterized by the diversity in their members'
background, with members who now work in various fields such as politics,
business, industry, government and academia. This is typical of Japan
alumni associations found in Southeast Asia. The wide-range of backgrounds
is probably due to the fact that those who studied in Japan as undergraduates
go on to different professions after graduation.
Because there are a great number of people in China and the Republic
of Korea who choose to study abroad in Japan, it tends to be difficult
to bring all of these students together under one alumni association.
Former students currently employed in educational and research positions
presently seem to be the backbone of the Japan alumni associations
in these countries.
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We expect from you, who are the former students in Japan:
1) to use what you have learned in Japan
to make your dream come true
2) to build and fortify a bridge between your country
and Japan in order to foster mutual understanding and friendship
It is our sincere hope that after you
complete your studies in Japan and return to your own country, you
will become a bridge that will enable enhanced friendship between
your country and Japan through participation in a Japan alumni association.
If you are from a country or region
where there are unfortunately no Japan alumni associations at present,
we hope that you will be motivated to organize one upon your return. |
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