Tokyo Tech-AYSEAS 2021 held online

Group photo during the closing ceremony

I applied for this program because it offered opportunities for online exchange with international　students. Before participating in AYSEAS, I thought I wanted to brush up my English, but I worried that studying abroad might be too hard for me. At this point, the online program seemed the best option for me.

At first, I was thinking it would be difficult to become close to other students in an online program. However, along with virtual visits and discussion sessions within the program, we were able to spend a lot of time together. We had discussions, played online games, and even played musical instruments together — activities which were possible because we were participating from home. It was a great time for all of us.

I learned many things through AYSEAS, including the cultures of other Asian countries, and jobs of international business persons. At the same time, I found my language skills are not good enough to talk a lot about Japanese culture. These are my next challenges, and I am feeling motivated to study more. Thank you, AYSEAS, for these great experiences!

I was wondering if I could participate in an international program while it is difficult to travel abroad, and I found Tokyo Tech-AYSEAS. I applied without hesitation as I was able to easily participate online.

The program focused on small group discussions, and I was greatly helped by the members of my group. I had no experience participating in discussions in English only, and I couldnt even get into the conversations at the beginning. However, we set up a place for communication outside the program hours, and as I got in close contact with my group members, I gradually became able to get to know them and participate in conversations. I was very pleased to be able to establish a relationship with not only a groupmate for the program but also a friend overseas for the first time. Also, because there is now the universal topic of coronavirus, I feel that we have made a smooth transition to cross-cultural understanding, starting with the differences in the responses of each country.

Of course, activities outside the group work, such as company visits and lectures by program alumni, were also meaningful. I also had many opportunities to think about my career plan. I think AYSEAS was a program that gave the maximum results even though we couldnt go overseas.

I would like to review what I learned in this program and prepare for actual study abroad. And I hope I will have the opportunity to talk directly with the friends I met during the program. Thank you, AYSEAS.

I've been curious about Tokyo Tech's AYSEAS program since I was studying in UP Diliman for my bachelor's degree. Good thing that the academic institution where I am taking my master's degree is also part of the AYSEAS member university roster. Actually, the promotional poster for the AYSEAS program that I saw was from UP Diliman's Office of International Linkages and not from HCMUT. I am so grateful that despite the large pool of applicants for the program, I was chosen to be part of it.

When the AYSEAS participants' handbook was sent to us, I felt quite unsure about joining since I realized that I would be the sole representative of HCMUT. As an introvert, I don't easily adjust to talking with new people. However, during the pre-program sessions, where I met my Vietnamese counterparts from Hanoi University of Science and Technology, my social anxiety was gone. I was able to share with them not only my experiences and my knowledge, but also myself, my opinions and views about various topics. It was fun and incredible preparing the introductory video about Vietnam. The whole experience was a respite from the life I had after COVID-19 came into place. It was also a great way to have fun cultural exchanges online.

Apart from the Vietnam team, AYSEAS also grouped us so that each team had members from various countries. We were able to prepare the final presentation with each member pitching amazing ideas that I thought would never be raised if we were from the same country. All participants were also able to meet inspiring professionals from various NGOs and companies. As a young member of the academe, the whole experience made me realize how important cultural immersion is, even in the engineering and science field.

The program enabled me to understand different societal problems that I usually dismiss without seeing or acknowledging. I got to understand why we need to have immediate, short-term or long-term solutions for problems related to education, mass transportation, health, culture, and so on. Even though some of us are not particularly heavily affected by these problems, I was able to know my role, our role. It made me realize that it is something that I can't un-see just because it doesn’t affect me. As engineers and scientists, we have to act now more than ever to innovate continuously to battle and solve these societal challenges. My only regret was that I had only a week to spend with my new friends. I wished for the program to be longer, but nonetheless, it was one of my best experiences this year. Huge thanks to the whole team behind this program. I can’t wait to meet in person everyone who attended!