• Youtube
  • Facebook
  • X
  • instagram
  • LINE

Abdelaal Ahmed　(Arab Republic of Egypt )

Hoping to rediscover Egyptian culture in the land of Japan.

Reasons for choosing Kansai University

I was working at a hotel after graduating from a vocational college in my home country of Egypt, but I was spending my days nagged by this desire to challenge myself into doing something new. It was at that time that I became interested in the Japanese language, which I heard being spoken by the people from Japan staying at the hotel I worked at. Japanese people have better manners compared to tourists from other countries, and are very nice, but the percentage of people who speak English is low. And so, they would often approach me speaking in Japanese. At the time, I didn't understand the language at all, but it made me want to become a Japanese language guide and work for the Japanese people. And so, I entered college and majored in tourism studies. Since the university I was attending didn't have Japanese language classes, I went to the Japanese Culture Center in Cairo three times a week to learn Japanese. I was able to study the Japanese language and its culture at the Japanese Culture Center, but could find no place for me to study about Egyptian history and culture in the Japanese language. I started thinking I wanted to learn the real Japanese language used in people's lives, and decided to go and study in Japan. I also wanted to go into a more specialized study about Egyptian archaeology, so I decided to attend Kansai University's Graduate School, which has a research site on the preservation and restoration of ancient Egyptian cultural heritages.

What surprised me when I came to Japan

When I first came to Japan, I was amazed that everything was automated and moving systematically, so much so that I thought to myself, "Am I in heaven?" Before coming here, I used to think that Japanese people were workaholics who are diligent and work like computers. But in reality, Japanese people do indeed work hard, but I think they also play just as hard and are enjoying their life. Japan also has a unique culture of thinking about others, and having an attitude of empathizing with the other person without requiring that everything be said in words. At the beginning, I was bewildered by these traits, but now that I have come to understand them, I learned that it is a very warmhearted culture.

About student life

I have classes in my major three days a week, but I'm also taking additional Japanese language and English language classes, so I attend the university every day. I'm also teaching at a language school, play soccer with fellow international students, and go out with my Japanese friends. I am also teaching Arabic to students at the foreign language conversational gathering hosted by the Division of International Affairs. I think Arabic is still a very minor language in Japan, but we're enjoying a fun class with the Japanese and international students. Also, fortunately, I was chosen for a scholarship by the Kansai University, and am receiving full scholarship for my entire tuition. Thanks to this, I don't have to put a financial burden on my parents, and am able to live independently while also being able to concentrate on my studies.

Future dreams

I would like to first proceed to the Doctoral Program and acquire a Ph. D. After I earn my doctorate, I hope to return to my homeland and be able to contribute to my homeland. There are no Japanese guides in Egypt who have a doctorate in archaeology. I hope to become a professor at a university, and teach students about tourism studies, including studies in archaeology and Japanese language, and thus enhance the quality of tourism guides in Egypt. Also, I am currently able to live this life thanks to the support I receive from a variety of people, and so when I graduate, I would like to repay even just a little of the kindness that I am receiving now by serving as a bridge between Egypt and Japan.

Message for students who are hoping to enter Kansai University

Life as an international student is a succession of something new, every day. You'll have a lot of great times, but you'll also face difficulties that you would not have encountered if you did not study abroad. When that happens, don't think about it with a negative mind. Instead, think of it as an opportunity for your own self-growth. You never know what will happen unless you challenge yourself first. Even if other people are against you or if they repudiate you, you must take action for yourself because otherwise, you will not be able to acquire your own criteria for judging whether something is best for you or not. Japan has a wonderful society where people take action by empathizing with the other and thinking from the other's perspective. Why don't you come and see what the real Japan is like, perhaps by starting out with taking a trip here?

What I enjoyed about my student life

I enjoy traveling to different places in Japan. This photo is from when I visited Kamikochi in Nagano Prefecture. The air was very clear, and I was amazed by the beautiful scenic views.

Note: This interview was held in December 2013.