【August 1/4】Thoughts about International Students Cafe

Andrew: Hi Kaveri! Thank you so much for accepting to do this interview!

Kaveri: Thank you! Nice to meet you!

Andrew: Alright, let’s start then! As the first question, I would like to ask you to share a little bit about yourself, so that also those who read this interview will be able to get to know you more.

Kaveri: Well, my name is Kaveri, I’m from India and I’m 23 years old. I’m actually enrolled in the first batch of the School of International Peace Studies. I am really happy to be here as I have been dreaming of coming to Soka University for years

My hobbies are listening to music, and I like watching K-dramas. Moreover, I really do love cats (I have two of them) and learning new languages.

Andrew: Oh amazing! Are you studying Japanese right now?

Kaveri: I started to study it some time ago, but then due to the classes and commitments I have to slow down a bit. I hope that after reaching Japan my chances to learn it will increase!

Andrew: I can perfectly understand: learning Japanese is a real challenge! But don’t worry, once you are here it will become easier and more natural to learn it!

Kaveri: I really hope so!

Andrew: Well, so considering that this is your first experience in the International Students Cafe, I would like to ask you why you chose to join it and what moved you to choose the Construction Department?

Kaveri: When I attended the orientation meeting, I was amazed at how people who reunited together from several parts of the world were sharing one common goal. All of them were striving with different challenges, such as the study or the diverse time zone, but nevertheless, they were all there for learning from each other and having fun! Creating strong bonds of trust and friendship – I think that this is the point that impressed me the most.

Regarding the departments, initially, I had other choices, but then I preferred to choose something in which I could contribute taking also into consideration that I have no proficiency in Japanese. In addition, when the Construction Department leader reached me to have a dialogue with me, she really encouraged me when asking to do our best together to create something that could create value, going beyond the restrictions of this pandemic. So, I felt the desire to join that department. Even if we started only recently, I feel more sure about the person I would like to become and the targets I would like to achieve. In an environment where everyone strives to reach the same goals is really encouraging.

Andrew: I totally agree with what you shared, and this is actually what impressed me when I came to Soka University, too. Many people from different cultures, with different ideas, but yet driven by the same desire: to create value. I think this is kind of a leitmotif at Soka University!

Kaveri: At the beginning, I was a bit scared as this is my first international experience and thus I was kind of hesitating about whether I would have been able to interact and be friends with others or not due to the linguistic barrier. Nowadays I have learned that most importantly is one person’s heart, something that the founder Daisaku Ikeda quotes in his messages towards Soka University students.

Andrew: Thank you very much for sharing your point of view Kaveri, I really did appreciate it!

I would like instead to pass on the second question. Despite it may be hard not to be in Japan while joining Soka University life and activities, where would you like to direct your energies during this year?

Kaveri: I think as a member of International Students Cafe, I would like to engage in something that can encourage in particular those who are still in their home countries, overcoming the boundaries and making everyone happy.

Sometimes, this “online life” may give the idea of separation, of the distance between people. That’s the reason why I would like to contribute to creating an environment where people do not feel the physical distance as we are together. My desire is to be able to create that sense of trust and friendship so that we can definitely encourage each other in our daily challenges.

Andrew: Wow, that’s beautiful! I think that conceptually is really easy, but then when we are amidst our daily life commitments, only a strong heart can win against the sense of tiredness and passivity: I think you are well-training your heart! Also, as you already shared, in these moments friends become extremely important in not to feel alone.

Kaveri: In a certain way I think that paradoxically the pandemic gave us more chance to get to know each other, speaking about what is going on in our life, as we are passing through shared sufferance. I could deepen many friendships during this time!

Andrew: That’s true, actually I have never thought about it! Thank you for your standpoint!

Well, here we are to our last question. It is something really free: I just would like you to share some of your expectations or your determinations from now on.

Kaveri: I think that my determination is to really grow and develop as a person, making a lot of friends and better others’ perspectives, as anyone is beautifully different and unique. I believe that the fortune to be part of the “Soka University Family” is to have a great chance to do all of this, by developing our potential.

I am really curious to know anyone’s different perspectives and expand my way of thinking and see the world. I will definitely do my best in doing this, starting with the International Students Cafe, too!

Andrew: Thank you very much Kaveri for the efforts in sharing with me your points of view and your heart. I think that all the readers will be encouraged by you as it has been for me right now!

Kaveri: Thank you for this opportunity, I have really enjoyed it. Let’s dialogue again together soon!

Andrew: You can bet on it! See you soon! Bye!

Kaveri: Bye-bye!