(This post is unusually written in English, just because)
Well it's been a while since the last time I remember that I've got a blog. Although it's by no means because I'm too lazy to write... er... I admit I was lazy, but hey, preparing to move to a new country and settling down isn't an simple task! Because unlike some business trip, I'll stay here for quite a long time. At the very least, until I graduated.
So, yeah, I'm pursuing my doctoral degree in Japan. For exact, at Institute of Science Tokyo, previously known as Tokyo Institute of Technology. I didn't know that Tokyo Tech was going to be merged with TMDU back then, when I was considering this university as my preferred destination. But notwithstanding, that matters less to me (except for the less cool logo).
How is it so far?
I've only been here for around three weeks, so there's nothing I can conclude just yet. Although, there are obviously some differences (and culture shocks, if it can be considered as a shock). But first and foremost is the communication issue. Sure, I've learnt some Japanese during my high school. But that was 14 years ago. I also watched some anime. But it's been several years since the last time I actually watch one full episode of it. So, saying that my Nihongo (Japanese language) is quite rusty is a bit of an understatement.
I literally cannot read anything.
Not even I cannot read anything, I cannot even form a simple sentence in Nihongo either. Sure, I know a few bits and words in Nihongo, but forming it into a complete sentence? That's a different wave of hell. I can recall some awkward situations where I need to ask something but neither of me nor the Nihonjin (Japanese people) I'm speaking with was unable to understand each other completely. Especially when the Nihonjin speaks to me in Nihongo, more often than not, I'm utterly perplexed.
Luckily, it's Tokyo. So, some texts are still written in English (although sometimes the choice of words baffles me), as well as instructions in some machines. Fortunately again, google translate can help translating through camera image, so at least I know what stuff to buy, where to go, et cetera. And I don't always have to talk to the cashier when buying stuff, unless being questioned. Just saying arigatou gozaimasu (-mashita? What's the difference?) afterwards and we're all good. In our own awkwardness, no less.
Nonetheless, I'm not burdening myself to understand Nihongo up to a N3 level in a hurry. Rome wasn't built in a day. A little improvement over time should do the job... ish.
What about the lab?
I won't lie, I didn't expect to join Nakase Laboratory when considering Tokyo Tech. However, after knowing that the lab is researching (or intend to research) about Molten Salt Reactor (the chloride one, no less) and nuclear fuel cycle, I didn't think too much before asking to join. Alhamdulillah, Nakase-sensei was keen for me to join and now I became the part of the lab to perform those aforementioned research. The fact that there's another Indonesian in the lab helped me a lot to settle in Tokyo and understanding what to do here. Kind of.
I haven't yet to explore Science Tokyo (as it's called by now) too much, but probably in the next few weeks I'd allocate time for sightseeing to understand the campus map better. After all, I've got 36 months here, at the very least. The journey is still long, no need to rush. Unless you're a certain minister in a particular country that enrolled in a certain university, then the case might be quite a bit different. With less integr--
Anyway, the members of Nakase Laboratory conducted a welcome ceremony to welcome me and my colleague from BRIN (and BATAN) to their lab. Nothing formal, just a dinner in an Indonesian cafe in Shinjuku. I'd say that the food is quite authentic (the sauce in Sate Ayam was too sweet and runny, though). There are some notable differences, obviously, but I digress.
(I'm pretty sure we took some photos there, but sensei hasn't uploaded it anywhere yet)
Long story short, it's a new chapter for me, at a new university in a new country where I cannot read anything without google translate and cannot speak full sentence yet. It will be a challenge, like pretty much everything in my life, but I'll embrace it will full arms open (and wishing it doesn't strike at me like an oversized grizzly bear). I wish I could do well for my study and contribute to the laboratory.
And I hope I can invite my family before the winter starts and the air is freezing.
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