Vol. 1 May 2020

Have a break

Let’s Cheer Up! Relay Talk

Hello, how have you been doing in these “Stay Home” weeks? We all have been forced to live in difficult
circumstances, however, we can still share words of encouragement with each other!
Please relax and enjoy these messages sent by YNU students and staffs. We will be happy to hear yourcomments, and hope to find someone who would like to “talk” in this column, too;) Email us to
isc2020.talk’ATgmail.com. (’AT → ＠)■How are you doing these days?
The 1st RunnerProf. Keiko Fujii
International Student CenterThings are changing very fast each day!

I need to check the latest news

and prepare for the new online classes.

I am not so familiar with newtechnology, so starting classes online is a big challenge for me.

It will takesome time to get used to the new style, but I feel great each time I learn
new things and improve my skills.

■Is there anything you are worried about?
Well, I’m worried about how it goes when my online classes start…

■Could you recommend some websites, videos,

TV programs, etc., that you enjoy at home?
How about making Japanese dishes?
You can see various recipes on TV/internet. If you are a beginner,
このやhow about trying okonomi-yaki（お好み焼き）? It’s tasty and easy!

■Could you send a message to international students?
In these days, everyone feels uneasy. You can share how you feel with others. I believe that will help you
reduce stress and feel better. You can tell your worries, ideas, fun memories, anything on your mind, to others.
Take care!

The next runner isa student from Korea:)

■How long have you been in Japan?
The 2nd runner

Mr. Bae, a doctoral
student from Korea

I came to Japan as a student for the Japan-Korea Joint Science andEngineering Student Exchange Program in 2009. I studied at YNU for 6years and obtained a bachelor’s and master’s degree.

After that I

worked in Korea for 3 years, and then I started my doctoral study at YNU
again from last October. In total, I have lived in Japan for 7 years.

■How are you doing these days?
I study properties of substances. I use computers and I don’t needto do experiments directly, so I can continue studying as I used to do.
Because of the spread of novel coronavirus, all the conferences and otherrelated activities were canceled. Many researchers including me havebeen busy working on submitting papers.
I live in Minesawa International Student Dormitory. There are few restaurants
in the neighborhood and I have been avoiding going out to shopping districts
such as Yokohama Station, so my meals fell into poor in variety these days...

■Is there anything you are worried about?
It is said that the novel coronavirus will cause diastrophism to our society. The modern history may be dividedInto “BC, Before Corona” and “AC, After Corona.” I will obtain a doctoral degree next year, but it is difficult toforesee how things will turn out. I have no ideas of future employment environment, engineers working inforeign countries, etc. I feel stress with difficulty of making schedules.

■Could you recommend some websites, videos, TV programs, etc. that you

enjoy at home?
I watch videos and anime on YouTube and Amazon Prime. I think YouTube, in particular, is convenient, as itcovers almost all genres, and you can get a lot of information. YouTube Premium in Japan is a bit expensive,
but I personally feel that Amazon Prime Student is reasonable.

■Could you send a message to international students?
I think current extraordinary situation is very hard for international students. Many can’t go back to their homecountry, and some may get depressed to know that their airline tickets were canceled. I know many of us live
apart from family and some still feel a sense of distance from Japanese people. So, why don’t we talk to eachother more than ever, and encourage each other as much as we can? Give a powerful cheer on Zoom orMessenger when friends are feeling down! Let’s cheer up!

This column title “Let’s Cheer Up!” was inspired by Mr. Bae’s strong
and warm message above. Thank you so much, Bae san!
If you would like to send some message here, please write to
isc2020.talk’ATgmail.com.

I believe we can support each other andall overcome the difficulty together!

(’AT→＠)*The original text in this column
was written in Japanese.