Last June 21, 2018, a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) and a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) for students’ Exchange were inked between Yamagata University and Samar State University (SSU). A faculty representative in the person of Dr. Yutaka Ito personally visited SSU in March 2018 to discuss the said collaboration. It was become easy considering that there was two personnel of SSU who were alumni of YU, namely: Engr. Francisco Dequito of the College of Engineering and Dr. Elmer Irene from the College of Education. The two SSU personnel assisted Dr. Ito’s visit to SSU and toured him around the city of Catbalogan.
The first delegates of students for a short-term exchange were realized on May 2019. Five students and one faculty chaperone namely CherryLou Bacalan, BSEd English 4th year, Mr. Ranniel Abarcar, BSEd Biological Science 4th year, Mr. Juancho Gulla Jr., BSEd Math 4th year, Ms. Nikki Ann Ramos, BSEd Social Studies 4th year and Ms. Aissa Dacol, BSIT Garments 3rd Year and Prof. Theresa Probadora, went to Yamagata University from May 7- 11, 2019. All five students had their first time traveling outside the Philippines except their chaperone. Prof. Probadora was also an alumna of a Teacher Training program in Japan from Kobe University so she was already familiar with life and travel in Japan. Each student-participant had been assigned to be a resource speaker on the following topics: Mr. Gulla – Discussed SSU Curricular programs and Ms. Bacalan – SSU Hallmarks of Excellence, both discussed in front of YU faculty and students while Mr. Abarcar and Ms. Ramos presented Filipino culture in front of Junior high school students. On the other hand, Ms. Dacol, a BSIT student, represented SSU for industry linkage and internship with industry firms they visited in Yamagata.
Juancho N. Gulla Jr., BSEd Math graduate:
“Honestly, my experience in the Yamagata Student Exchange program last May 2019 was still fresh in my mind until now. It was a great opportunity to be one of the students sent to Yamagata and it made a huge impact on my life. First, being more responsible about myself and my interaction with my colleagues especially since it was my first time traveling abroad. Second, I learned a lot about the cultures, traditions, languages, and practices inside the school and the community itself. Third, I believed that I made also an impact on the students in Yamagata by imparting how great SSU is in catering to the students not only to learn but also to nurture talents and values among the students. Yamagata students made some realization in terms of the multi-cultural aspects that despite the diversity among students we can still create a good and pleasant environment between students and be united for a better future and that’s what SSU has. Lastly, that journey became an inspiration for all the students in SSU or even outside the university to dream high and pursue their goals in life that even though they are still students they can already achieve one of their dreams like to travel abroad.”
Nikki Ann Ramos, BSEd Social Studies graduate:
“Being one of the first batches to be sent to a short-term student exchange program to Japan was such a huge opportunity and it was a great honor for me to be a part of it. It was a cultural exposure and somewhat a short-term immersion in the Humanities and Social Sciences Department of Yamagata University. The three days in Yamagata were short but when we were there, it was never like that. It felt like we’ve been there for a long time and we’ve known the people there for years. That’s how accommodating they are. In three days, Yamagata and Japan, in general, gave us an extreme sense of familiarity, the feeling that you don’t want to leave ever again, and if you do, you’ll always come back. Personally, the best experience being outside the country, and being everywhere, was meeting people. I think it’s the most beautiful part of life. The whole trip made me realize that meeting people comes only once in a lifetime, not like the other experiences that you can always repeat, places you can visit again and again. Sharing stories with them and having them a part of your life and you as part of theirs, too is incomparable and very heartfelt. So, be mindful of everyone you meet wherever you go. Because in them, you will find another world. And in going abroad, you will not find only another country, but another universe. One sea of possibilities, and mountains of wonder. I encourage all of you to always try to go of your comfort zone, out of ordinary, out and beyond, because you will really see that there’s a lot of life going on out there, waiting for you. The world is big and you belong in each of its corners if you’re willing to share a part of you as well. And so, I thank SSU, SSU International Affairs and the COED family for this chance. Until we meet again, Japan.”
Cherry Lou Bacalan, BSEd English graduate:
“Representing SSU internationally was one of the huge opportunities that the school has given to me. I am proud that I was able to talk in front of the students of Yamagata University about how great SSU is as an institution. Knowing that SSU trusted me to be one of the 5 participants of the student exchange program in Yamagata Japan it gave me confidence in a lot of aspects, facing different people of different race and culture. It was also a challenge since we were pushed to go out of our comfort zone but that challenge turned out to be a blessing since we learned to be more of who and what we are now. I learned a lot from the people, culture, their ways of living and from our experiences. This exchange student program taught us to be more disciplined, responsible, to be humble and be competent. Now that I have already graduated, I am glad that I was able to use these aspects at work. It gave me an edge to excel in what I do. The international arena is very huge and I believe we were able to overcome it and stand out, all thanks to SSU, our support system that made the greatness in all of us.”
