VJEP, VIETNAM- JAPAN EXCHANGE PROGRAM 2019, PERSONAL REPORT (2) Huỳnh Phú Tuấn (University of Economics and Law, Sophomore)

VIETNAM – JAPAN EXCHANGE PROGRAM 2019

PERSONAL REPORT

Reporter: Huynh Phu Tuan

Ho Chi Minh City, 15^th September 2019

In youth, the days are short and the years are long

In VJEP 2019, every second count, as a wonderful journey of the twenties.

I applied to VJEP for a few reasons…

Firstly, is to find myself a break from my daily life, where I’m feeling pressured and depressed in my work and study

Next, is to look for new inspirations for my work.

Thirdly, I want to learn from other people inside the program, both Vietnamese, Japanese participants and the program organizers.

Actually, there was no obvious reason in the beginning because I did not know much about VJEP when I was introduced to the program. But if not participating in the program, perhaps it will be one of the most regretful decisions of my youth.

I participated in the recruiting Vietnamese delegates process with the spirit of learning, and each round of the recruitment was a lesson, an interesting experience for myself.

The process of preparing for the program from early June to mid-August took place with many difficulties. For Vietnamese delegates, at the beginning, it was very difficult for everyone to gather for many reasons, but with more than two months to prepare, the necessary parts have been almost ready.

The 14 official days of VJEP 2019 are the most significant 14 summer days of the twenties, every moment in the program is worthwhile.

As someone with experience in developing and executing programs for university students to improve their social skills and awareness, I realize the importance of the SDGs to students in general, at the same time be aware of the difficulties students have when developing projects that serve the community and attract its awareness in some burning issues of society. I was very excited to participate in the program with the theme of SDGs focusing on the environment, this will definitely be an opportunity for me to expand my knowledge, not only from the perspective of Vietnamese students, but also from Japanese students. Through the process of joining the program, I really had a more objective view of the general situation as well as a deeper understanding of sustainable development, focusing on the environment.

Every day in the common home, whether for big or small activities, is well cared for by the common spirit of everyone. We eat, work together, experience together and the most important thing is probably sharing together. We share our thoughts, cultural and stories, although being able to share freely with each other is a long process that we really regret when the end was near but you feel there is still so much to share.

Although VJEP was held in Vietnam, as a Vietnamese participant, I was still very impressed with what I experienced when I discovered the beauty of Vietnam with Japanese friends in very different ways.

 I realize the core value of VJEP is not to build something of great caliber, but to give opportunities and environment for ourselves to work, to share our thoughts and ways of thinking so that we can understand the value of multicultural cooperation and eradicate cultural stereotypes inside us.

Each Vietnamese and Japanese delegate in VJEP 2019 is a special color, a special talented individual that I have a lot to learn from and encourage me to work harder. Really appreciate all of your patience, effort, sympathy when working together, I have never met any group that get on well with each other like us.

A good program must have a good team of experienced organizers, not just experience in building or running programs but experience in managing activities, as well as communicating skills and behavior in a multicultural environment. I myself respect and admire all members of the organizers and learn a lot from them throughout the process of joining the program. Every thoughtfulness and dedication come from the smallest things, in every activity, like simply in every message announcing information on a group. Though the program has ended, I still missing the messages of tomorrow's activities sent from the Project Leader every night.

I cannot help mentioning Mr. Seki, the teacher with a special vibe inside that I was fortunate to meet in my life. His dedication, personality, and lessons will always be my motivation to keep trying harder now and in the future.

I'm probably the most beloved photographer of the program, =)) (self-claimed), because I think that, no matter how memorable it may be, it will fade away gradually in our mind, so I always try to capture images, as much as I can, to preserve the moment. Perhaps now. the program is over, people have returned to their daily lives, but the pictures will be the links that help us recall and tell the stories of our youth.

Love you to the moon and back! VJEP 2019

One day, we’ll have to say goodbye to our youth,

But when looking back at the past of ourselves,

We will see, again, beautiful memories arranged sprawling because of our childishness.

Who knows,

Accidentally looking back at the (old) pictures,

Memories may flow back, intact and fresh as smiles, tears of today farewell.

Our encounter, maybe is so rare.

VJEP 2019 in me is such a memory.

Intact and meaningful.

Thanks for the opportunity, ありがとうございました！

Huỳnh Phú Tuấn – Takeshi Tanaka – Angry Bird (red) – Agent Perry