VIETNAM – JAPAN EXCHANGE PROGRAM 2019 PERSONAL REPORT (10) Reporter: Trương Ngọc Thanh Phương (FPT University)

VIETNAM – JAPAN EXCHANGE PROGRAM 2019 PERSONAL REPORT

Reporter: Trương Ngọc Thanh Phương (Quinn)

Ho Chi Minh City, 20^th September 2019

     After 2 months for preparation and 2 weeks exchanging with 10 Japanese delegates, Vietnam - Japan Exchange Program has changed myself a lot in different ways of mindset and behavior. At the first time, when I had been asked the reason why I wanted to join VJEP 2019, in my mind is that I want to directly contact  Japanese students to see differences between Vietnamese and Japanese. Moreover, in my last personal interview with professor Akinori Seki, he asked me my impression about Japan, and my answer is ‘Samurai spirit’. And during my 2-experience-week with Japanese delegates, first and the most valuable thing I learnt from Japanese delegates is their real ‘Samurai spirit’ which was delivered in their belief and performances, the story they told us about their history and culture (in National Performance), how can they overcame pain of war and fight for justice (in drama play of Uncle Sam) and how much they put the effort into every single scope of work. Also, I saw another aspect of Japanese’s characteristic, Japanese is known as a courteous and well-mannered person, so it is hard to approach them. However, it totally changed my mind about their warm greetings and enthusiasm through their stories they shared with me and every night we gathered together.

    Especially, spending 5 days at Binh Phuoc Province is the best moment for me in this journey. Because this is my first time I arrived at Binh Phuoc and lived around ethnic minority people and stay at my lovely host family. We all together taught primary students, performed in front of 200 excellent delegates of the province, went trekking to Bu Gia Map National Park and met The Border at Bu Dang province. From this experience, I can understand more deeply about local people’s life, how they behave and do their daily, how borders have to suffer and try to protect our boundary, get closer to nature and learn how to survive in the jungle.

     The topic of this year is ‘Environment’ and ‘Green Business’ which impress me a lot since I really concern about the current problem, not only in Vietnam but also in the world. And it is also included in the Sustainable Development Goal of the United Nations in 15 years for people to follow and make it come true. Thanks to this project, I have an opportunity to search for green business in Binh Phuoc Province where I haven’t had a chance to visit and understand the environment and the obstacles that the government has to suffer to protect the environment. Finally, we came to the last with the presentation of finding a solution for Binh Phuoc Province by building a closed agriculture system to help farmers, purchase more agricultural goods,  and sustain environments there. We didn’t rank the first place but we cherish every time we discussed and searched for information.

     Even though VJEP has been gone to the end for nearly a month, I still remember the very last moment we spent together in a night prom of Common Project Homestay’s rooftop. I got a sharing speech with all delegates and the most memorable value I still treasure at that moment is when we stand under the light and sparkle like stars in the sky. We all share laughs and tears together, sometimes we had conflicts and arguments due to differences. But after all, I believe we overcame difficulties and succeeded in finding ourselves in the new environment. 

     Lastly, I hope and believe the Vietnam-Japan Exchange Program will keep improving and inspire more students from both Vietnam and Japan for participants to get a chance to share and acknowledge, and to keep a good relationship between the two countries for long.