(May 2/2) Introduction from a Bekka student

Roland: Hello good evening, I am Roland from FSA or Foreign Student Association! Nice to meet you! Can you introduce yourself!

Toda: Okay! My name is Josei Toda. I am 19 years old and I came from Indonesia. Currently, I am Bekka Student.

Roland: Wow, so do you have any nickname?

Toda: As same as in Indonesia, my nickname in Japan is Josu. But in Indonesia, people call me Jose.

Roland: Oh, it is really such a cool nickname, Josu!

Roland: First of all. Did you have any reason to join Soka University?

Toda: Yes, at first during high school, I didn't think about college but my mother recommended me so I did research about it for later. But the real reason that brought me here is my Indonesian seniors. Maybe, you know Fion and Shinichiro. There was a Zoom meeting back in Indonesia, where people explained about Soka University, like student life, faculties and events. They recommended me that Soka University is a good place to study and humanistic education is really top globally. Those are what made me join Soka University.

Roland: Yeah, it is true. Soka is well-known for its top-tier humanistic education.

How about the Bekka program right now? Do you have any difficulties?

Toda: It’s starting to get a bit harder, plus Japanese grammar is a bit different than English. The word changes a lot in Japanese depending on the context like past, and present. So I can say that grammar is a little bit difficult for me right now?

Roland: How about comparing to the Indonesian grammar? Is it a similar case to English compared to Japanese?

Toda: Not really, Indonesian grammar is a bit simple, even more, simple than English. Yeah, and reading is a bit in slow progress because I am not familiar with Katakana. But I will do my best.

Roland: That’s right, compared to the English, Japanese might be a whole new different language. By the way, are you living in the dormitory?

Toda: Oh yes, I am living in the Hoyu dormitory.

Roland: How is it living in a dorm?

Toda: It is enjoyable every day. Everybody is really kind and always helps me. Even at first, I came here they all welcomed me. It is fun dorm life. I would like to recommend everyone coming to Soka, join the dorm because everything is fun. We can make friends and ask seniors whenever we need something.

Roland: Yes, living in a dorm is a great chance. So do you have any close friends in your dorm?

Toda: All Bekka students, the boys are also in Hoyu. All of them are close to me.

Roland: Wow, it’s really nice to have friends from Bekka in the same dormitory.

Are you planning anything for the upcoming summer holiday?

Toda: For now, I don’t have a fixed plan. However, since I love cycling, I might cycle whole around the city or if I don’t I might go out with friends. If I can I want to go to the oceans.

Roland: So how about going to Okinawa?

Toda: Wow, I really want to go to Okinawa but it’s a bit far from Hachioji so I am still thinking.

Roland: Can I ask you about the faculty you joining? Do you have any plans for the faculty?

Toda: For now my main goal is to join Rikou (Science and Engineering), environmental science. The reason is that about three weeks ago, during open campus, there is one professor and his research team I found it interesting which will be ongoing till my third year so maybe I will go in that.

Roland: Wow, really I am looking forward to seeing you soon in Rikou.

Thank you very much for your precious time. We are pleased to know about your story.

Toda: It’s okay. No problem at all! Thank you.