I think that my AIKOM year was my sharpest and most productive year in terms of academic and cultural point of view. The program offers a lot that a young student can dream of : academical understanding on Japanese culture, economy, social, politics. There is absolutely no better way to learn that than being in Japan, talking in the language, intensive interaction with the people, enjoy the culinary side of it, and seeing Kanji characters everywhere you go, it really makes the difference. As if it weren't enough, AIKOM participants would also be enjoying the acceleration of thinking productivity by intensive interaction among AIKOM participants who come from various countries with diverse home culture and way of thinking. These are 2 different things, and being in the mix of Japan environment plus International environment is an unmatched experience for me by far. It has been 15 years since I joined AIKOM in 1995 as the first batch. However, the reference of Japan and International perspective will always follow me forever. AIKOM is how I live now. Bimo Nugroho (1995-1996: from Gadjah Mada University) I take pride in being one of the students in the first batch of the University of Tokyo’s AIKOM program. During our stay in Tokyo during the academic year 1995-96 we saw firsthand how the university responded to the increasing demands of a wired, global society. AIKOM’s programs gave an opportunity for international students to understand the role of Japan in an increasingly changing world. With classes in linguistics, society and culture, economics and literature, the AIKOM program made Japan and the world’s present and the future accessible then. I thank AIKOM for allowing me to learn with the best and preparing me to be attuned to our global community. Looking back, AIKOM has helped to give me direction to my academic and professional life. Alona Ureta-Guevarra (1995-1996: from University of the Philippines Diliman) My academic year abroad on the AIKOM programme is one of the most valuable experiences I have had to date. I feel that in that one year, I learned more about myself and grew in a way that would not have been possible in even a few years in the UK. Making the decision to come to a country and culture you know little about, having not studied Japanese language before, may seem like a daunting experience to some students. However, thanks to the dedicated, friendly and enthusiastic AIKOM team all worries can be put aside. An excellent intensive Japanese language course is offered. This means that, for beginners, in just a few months you can learn enough to make communication and daily life easier. My AIKOM experience, and I know this is the case for many of my fellow AIKOM alumni, sparked an interest in Japan and a long term commitment to making it part of my future. I was also lucky enough to become part of a global network of new friends, with an interest in Japan, and in each other. Ella Nevill (1997-1998: from Univeisity of Warwick) The basic purpose of this program is obviously to increase mutual understanding between Japan and other countries and thus promote peace and friendship. As far as this purpose itself is concerned, it is difficult to evaluate how effective AIKOM will be in achieving such a purpose because the result is not immediate. However, I can say for sure that this program is successful in terms of increasing mutual understanding. I could learn a great deal about many aspects of Japan and of the many other countries involved. Although we studied about Japan as the main subject here, we spent the year not just learning about Japan-- the interactions amongst the foreign students too was a great experience for us and helped us to know about other cultures as well. Agus MULIAWAN (1996-1997: from Gadjah Mada University) My one year in AIKOM was a fantastic and important stage in my life. It was AIKOM's great favor that led my first step into Japan, an interesting country developed between typical eastern culture and western-oriented reformation. I gained lots of understanding in many aspects of Japanese society. The days I spent in AIKOM are very memorable also because of those dear friends I met in our program. In the AIKOM world, I was able to communicate with various students from different parts of the world, through which I really broadened my vision of the globe. Here our AIKOM teachers, who were also our good friends, should be mentioned as well. The field trips arranged by them are always an integral part of my special memory of Japan. LIN, Yan Min (1999-2000: from Peking University) AIKOM has been one of the most significant experiences of my life to date. Through it I have made many friends both Japan and thoughout the world. It gave me a chance to discover what student life in Japan was about and it is largely because of AIKOM that I am back here in Japan four years later as a graduate student. The best aspect of AIKOM is that it didn't end when the classes finished. Whenever I have been back in Japan I've been able to take part in various AIKOM activities and always feel welcome. AIKOM is a springboard from which you can not only learn about, but, more importantly, experience Japan's rich culture, language and history. Simon JOHN (1997-1998: from Monash University) Hajimemashite. From my experiences of AIKOM, I'd like to summarize the advantages of the AIKOM program as follows. "Experiencing Japan" Especially for those who are interested in Japanese society and culture, AIKOM will offer an opportunity to experience the "real Japan". "Studying inside and outside the classroom" The AIKOM program has an excellent curriculum of Japanese language and Japanese culture, society and history. And I'm sure you can learn much more by applying what you learned in the classes while you are traveling in Japan, meeting Japanese people or just walking the streets of Tokyo. "Global communication" You can have many friends from all over the world in the AIKOM program as well as Japanese friends. It's quite challenging but exciting to communicate across different cultures. PARK, Junyoun (2000-2001: from Seoul National University) Although Japan is far away from Germany, I still feel very close to the Japanese people, the Japanese landscape, Tokyo and my AIKOM fellows. I have not been back for some years, unfortunately, but still dream about my life and friends from Japan sometimes. Especially these days, during the soccer world championship. I remember my AIKOM summer, when Japan and Korea were hosts eight years ago: Even the professors at Komaba wanted to know the latest scores during class. I had watched the game Germany vs. Kankoku with my Korean AIKOM-friends and many other Koreans in Tokyo, wearing Japanese blue Ono- or Suzuki-Trikots, shouting “arigatou nihon!”- “doitashimashite!” with the crowd. It’s a lovely memory, this international AIKOM goup and it is so good to have many friends around the world who share an exciting year at Toodai in Tokyo: When I went to Indonesia for my work last year, I visited　one of my AIKOM friends and his wonderful young family. When I will go to Boston for work next year I am looking forward to seeing another AIKOM friend. I do hope I will be able to welcome some AIKOM friends here in Germany soon. Let’s keep in touch. Thanky you AIKOM. Jenny Von Sperber (2001-2002: from University of Munich) [ TOP ]