Greater Freedom and Responsibility: Staying and Studying in Hiroshima
21 May, 2021
More reading and thinking, more conversing with my colleagues and advisers, and more writing. These routine activities truly inculcate the MSP 6th batch to challenge the norms and to develop such good habits as the academic period goes by, thus, having May as a great and colorful month for all of us. Albeit the effect of the health measures and guidelines brought by the Coronavirus disease - 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic that somehow limits us to experience the other activities, the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) Chugoku Center and Japan Coast Guard Academy (JCGA) help us to focus more on what our program necessitates us to accomplish while still enjoying our life here in Hiroshima.
The Hiroshima International Plaza (HIP) lodging facility is the place where we stay as of now. The premise is a haven indeed for any international students, enjoying the peaceful vibe of the fresh green landscape, as well as experiencing some of their amenities such as unlimited internet connection to connect to our loved ones, rooms and areas for studying, cooking, sports, and other recreational activities. They also have bicycles where we always borrow to go to some nearby places such as malls and restaurants. And for the days that we have scheduled classes, there is an arranged van that always fetched us from JICA-HIP going to the JCGA (Kure, Hiroshima). All JICA staff has an approachable character and accommodates almost all our usual concerns.
The JCGA campus, on the other hand, is our second school after GRIPS. The academy allowed us to utilize their facilities such as their library where we can read and borrow books, the classrooms and study rooms that are so cozy and dedicated exclusively to the MSP class, and their canteen where we and the JCGA cadets go to eat our lunch and the food crews always served a variety of delicious meals that are so much satisfying. We also experienced going to the Coast Guard Museum where we see the different exhibits displayed and learn more about the history and evolution of the JCG itself. As a whole, the majority of the JCGA’s accomplishments are founded on the relentless efforts delivered by their JCGA staff members, especially by the faculty team. We are so thankful that our professors are so passionate that they always try to reach us out to the very best of their abilities just for us to grasp and learn the subject matters on the courses we enrolled in.
Aside from the unending support that we got from the two institutions, it is also worth a share on how our batch thrives in the essence of camaraderie. We had able to build respect and a good relationship with one another, thanks to the assignments and group reports in our courses. We also enjoy companionship when we go eating. During the country’s golden week celebration, we got a chance to enjoy various activities such as cycling. Kudos to our Japanese classmates, Mio and Taki-san!
Having said all this, this month is a bittersweet one because apart from the great things that are happening, the deadline for the submission of our policy papers is already knocking at our front doors. In this nitty-gritty period, which though somehow reveals each and everyone’s vulnerabilities, the efforts of the mentioned actors allow us to reevaluate ourselves as well, realizing to keep learning the ropes and grow not just independently, but also interdependently. More reading and thinking, more conversing with my colleagues and advisers, and more writing…
(Prepared by: Jeremiah M. Perez: Maritime Industry Authority, Philippines)
strengthening the MSP 6th batch bonding thru these simple extracurricular activities in JICA, HIP areas
