About my studies

I am studying management at the Graduate School of Sociology. I am taking a broad range of classes related to economics, commerce, sociology and business administration. In the world of business, the Japanese-style system is outstanding, and there is much to learn from it. For example, the Toyota Production System, such as kaizen and kanban, is implemented widely by companies in Sri Lanka. There are also many things that can be learned from Japanese companies, such as their detailed attention toward clients and their business management from the perspective of the customers. Sri Lanka today is said to be similar to what Japan was like before its post-war rapid economic growth. I am planning to do my master's thesis on whether we could bring economic growth in my home country by implementing the Japanese-style system, especially by actively incorporating collective behavior.

Future dreams

After acquiring my master's degree, I am planning to move on to a doctoral program. Sri Lanka received a great many influence from England, which was the imperial country during our colonial period. Thus, I hope to use the study abroad system and attend a university in England during my doctoral studies. After I acquire my doctorate degree, I would like to return to Sri Lanka and manage the preschool that my uncle operates, and also teach business at a university. Sri Lanka had been plagued with many years of civil war, and even now, you can see its remnants when you walk the streets. Every time I return to Sri Lanka, I realize the difference between Japan and Sri Lanka in its level of development. I would like to contribute to my home country toward creating a society where its youths are able to envision a bright future.

Difficulties I faced in coming to Japan

In order to enter into graduate school, I needed to acquire a N1 level in the Japanese-Language Proficiency Test within half a year. I had been attending a language school while I was in Sri Lanka, but my conversational Japanese abilities was only at a level of giving greetings, and my reading abilities was only at a level of being able to decipher hiragana, so I had a very difficult time. I also became homesick from living outside of my home country in an environment that I was unused to. But because there was no one with whom I could speak my native language with, and I was in a situation where I simply had to speak Japanese, and because I studied really hard, I was able to somehow pass the test. I was very happy about that.

What surprised me when I came to Japan

From the time when I was little, the drama "Oshin" was broadcasted repeatedly in Sri Lanka. So when I landed at Kansai International Airport, I was surprised to see everyone wearing Western clothes. And as we left the airport, I could see from the car window such sights as big bridges, buildings, highways, trains, vending machines... at every sight in Japan, I was amazed that such a place had existed in this world. I always thought of Japan as being an economic powerhouse that had achieved rapid economic growth, so it was a moving experience to be able to see it in real life with my own eyes.

About student life

During the weekdays, my time other than attending classes is spent holed up in the research room. I sometimes relax by going out to eat with my friends. When I first entered the school, I didn't have many friends. But as I started to participate in the activities hosted by the Division of International Affairs, I started to make friends with people of all different nationalities, and I began to enjoy my days with a sense of fulfillment. At the international students' party held in the summer, I served as the MC. Until then, I dreaded going in front of people, and my mind would often draw a blank from nervousness. But as I had more opportunities to get up and speak in front of people, I started to get used to it, and I don't feel as nervous as I used to. I feel that by interacting with different people, I have also been able to achieve self growth.

Good things about Kansai University

All of the professors are easy to talk to about anything, and are very warm in giving you advice. The university also has an audit system, offering you a curriculum that lets you study the fields that you are interested in as much as you wish. The library is located right next to the Graduate School building, which is convenient for graduate school students who need to do a lot of research.
As for university life, the Division of International Affairs offers their assistance, and provides an environment that lets students live with a sense of reassurance. There are also many activities for international students. I have also been recommended for a scholarship, and am receiving scholarship from an outside organization. I can now concentrate on my studies without having financial worries, for which I am truly grateful.