Kyoto University 2011 (Monbukagakusho etc.)

bigcomfy said:

It's a really long flight from Canada and there would be a 3 hour wait between flights, after which I would still have to take a train, etc. which would make it far too late to get into our dorms, so I would still have to stay at a hotel or something. I have friends in Tokyo so this just makes more sense.

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IDK, makes little sense to me... What time were you supposed to arrive at Kansai Airport?

Was scheduled to arrive at Kansai at 7:30pm. I know what I'm doing, thanks.

are you guys sure that japanese government will still be able to pay our scholarship after disaster? i guess there'll be delays...

bigcomfy said:

Was scheduled to arrive at Kansai at 7:30pm. I know what I'm doing, thanks.

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OK, no need to get nervous, I was just being curious. The reservations done by the Embassies are usually fairly reasonable, but it seems it wasn't the case this time.

FireLand said:

are you guys sure that japanese government will still be able to pay our scholarship after disaster? i guess there'll be delays...

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I reread the terms of scholarship yesterday and there's not much they can do apart from lowering the monthly scholarship amount. Future candidates, on the other hand...

I'm not nervous and I didn't say that their arrangements weren't reasonable. All I said was that I decided to stay in Tokyo before going to Kyoto.

This link might help us all feel a bit less worried about the scholarships regarding the earthquake

(www).stanforddaily.com/2011/03/11/kyoto-program-will-continue-despite-earthquake/

Dont know if they refer to the MEXT scholarship programme but this is at least a bit of good news for us.

To all in Japan I hope that the problems get resolved quickly. I will pray for all of you!

頑張って!!!

Well, cool down guys.
First, my great condolence to Japan. Hope the strong Japanese people can recover soon.
Second, I don't really think we have to make a fuss on the scholarship thing. I think definitely it will influence Japan like the one in Kobe years ago. But I don't think it will bring such a big impact on the education affairs in Japan. And Japanese Government has already given us detailed info on the acceptance as well as the amount of Scholarship and also the flight schedule. I don't think they are like those who will take back their words.
Third, this tragedy will surely bring some changes in MEXT plan, but I guess it's only in those who will going to study in the tohoku area such as those going to Tohoku University as MEXT scholars.
Well, anyway, have faith in our study and Japan.

i'm still sonfused. even if not them, arent you guys worried about the whole situation, radiation? do you really think that this process will stop? it's a big deal, i dont know how to explain it in english terminology, but still, i hope u'll understand what i mean - ocean plato is broken, i guess it collided with continental plato. that's why the consequences were so drammatic. 8.9 + 10 metres high tsunami, it's not a joke guys, it's a DISASTER!!!let's just be real...

Of course this is a terrible ordeal for Japan, but they are a strong nation and a strong people. They will survive and rebuild as they always do. Worrying will not get anyone anywhere, so it's best to just wait for the Japanese Government to let us know, which I'm sure they will, accordingly once they compile all the details and information. There are still a few weeks before we are supposed to depart and the situation is changing on a daily basis. While there is some cause for concern, there is no need to worry at this point because we cannot do anything about it. Japan is a strong country and its times like this when they shine their brightest! Unless there are health concerns, I'm sure the Government will do all they can to ensure things go ahead as scheduled. If there is cause for concern, I have faith that they will let us know accordingly. Everyone just needs to calm down, take a deep breath, wait and pray for Japan.

ofcourse, they're strong nation. but we need to be realistic, the strong & powerful japanese economy is collapsed, Japan asks for aid from the other countries. the damage ammounts at about 35 billion $. after all, you still think that they'll be able to pay for our education while they hardly afford daily nuitrition of evacuees? a huge area, a huge industrial area to which they spent decades to build, needs to be rebuilt again. they're where they were 50 years ago, tsunami took away everything. this is the real japan of today, c'mon guys, come back to earth! the most conscious action that comes to my mind is to be ready for departure in october, or even next year. maybe for all of you, i'm pessimist, but this is reality, the situation in Japan gets worse day by day. and dont wait for improvements in months, years are needed to recover.

First of all, perhaps it should be clarified that Japan has not asked for aid from other countries, they've simply accepted it. Japan is still in control of the situation as best as they can be given the circumstances. Besides the obvious, the transference of assistance from other jurisdictions to Japan is a political issue and opportunity for all countries involved to strengthen ties and move towards a better, brighter future together (especially for China and Russia).
The damage is indeed extensive and it will take a long time, hard work and funding to fix the destruction that has occured. However, it is highly unlikely that Japan (a political leader and one of the most advanced nations in the world, who are accustomed to earthquake and tsunami disasters) would stop functioning at a 'business as usual' level.
Granted that the extent of the damage and nuclear concerns from this event are a first for Japan, this is not the first crisis they've been through. Kobe in 1995, another terrible and comparable tragedy (although to a lesser impact by comparison - and, certainly, I say this not to take away from the devestation of that equally horrific event), was similar in some levels and the Nation recovered from that. Likewise, with time Japan will once again recover from this situation.
It is highly likely that Japan will continue to support the initiatives its laid out because it will want to carry forward the strong image it has worked decades to develop. If there were going to be any impact on this program, the Government would most likely have already sent out a notice from the embassies informing us. Japan sees deepening international ties as key to moving forward and securing its position as a leader in the Global economy. Attracting and incenting international researchers is one of many methods for doing so.
Being realistic is certainly encouraged, but pessimism will not help anyone. It will indeed take huge efforts, spread out over an extended period of time to recover from this tragedy, but operating under a 'business as usual' framework is the most likely scenario. One sign of this is the Government's reaction to the economic pressures by injecting 15 trillion yen into their economy to try and maintain some form of economic stability. Most Japanese citizens are reacting calmly and still going to work despite rolling blackouts and other pressures.
Either way, I was in contact with my embassy today regarding a seperate matter and there was no suggestion of any changes regarding the scheduled travel arrangements. Instead the words were "pray for good luck on your travels," to which my reply was "my prayers (as all of ours should be) are with Japan and her people."
You are correct though, departure in October could indeed be a possibility. Time will only tell.

Well, what I have to say here is we are going in April for sure. This indeed is a great tragedy but it definitely will not destroy the strong Japanese nation. Also, it has brought great damage only in the tohoku region of the Japan main island and there is definitely less to no impact for other places including Kyoto.
I believe at very first that Japan will recover from this soon and that we will be able to go to Kyoto same as the original plan. If any of you still worry about this, well, I emailed both my professor in Kyoto University and the embassy yesterday for consolence of the tragedy in Japan. And both of them thanked me and also told me not to worry about my future studying in Japan. And also that things will be as good as usual.
Anyway, what I'm trying to say is don't worry about this at all. Just believe in Japan, make good preparation to set off to study in Kyoto, Japan on April 4th.

could you guys please open the map & look at the area of post soviet countries? if you found it, then find the town named Chernobyl, after Chernobyl, find my country. Can you see the distance? When the radiation took over Chernobyl, somehow those radiation waves were able to reach my country, not people, but most of the plants were affected by radiation. The production in agricultural sector dramatically decreased. Now, let's switch to nowadays. What r we going to to do with radiation? As i am too pessimist about the picture, do you have any ideas. Besides, as far as i know, the radiation waves can easily spread in the air.

don't panic please

FireLand said:

could you guys please open the map & look at the area of post soviet countries? if you found it, then find the town named Chernobyl, after Chernobyl, find my country. Can you see the distance? When the radiation took over Chernobyl, somehow those radiation waves were able to reach my country, not people, but most of the plants were affected by radiation. The production in agricultural sector dramatically decreased. Now, let's switch to nowadays. What r we going to to do with radiation? As i am too pessimist about the picture, do you have any ideas. Besides, as far as i know, the radiation waves can easily spread in the air.

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Hi honey, I don't know how old are you (I bet I'm older than you ) and you know what I remember Chernobyl, I remember the "nice" radioactive rain of 1st of May when we were obliged to march under it (just barely week after the blast, and with mass media covering everything - as they did hide it, no one said what it was).... we lived it, we survived it.....but my idea is if you're such a pessimist I have a perfect solution for you
STAY HOME ... and then you'll be OK, but let me tell you something else there is an old folk story saying " a man went to fortune-teller and she told him - you'll die becouse of a horse. The man was very keen on horse-riding, but after this - he sold his horse, and stayed at home... couple of weeks later he was found dead at his bedroom - there was a painting of a horse with a heavy frame, that was hanged on the wall - and the painting did fall over the man's head." The moral of the story is "if the fate had decided you'll die by hanging you'll definitly would not be drown"... I think radiation is uncontrollable, are you sure there is no radiation in your country? Are you sure your massmedia says everything....
The one thing I'm sure is Japan needs people that are calm.... I appologize if you find it rude, but panic doesn't help. No one forces you to go there - stay home and save some money of the Mongakubusho. I did decided for myself I'm going. You have to decide for yourself what you feel would be right for you, but please don't panic,and don't create panic in the forum. For talking with my friends there I'm sure the reality is not what is shown and extraexagerated by CNN.... I though BBC did a better job this time.

Anyway, my professor, the sec, and the postdoc in the lab all told me that I don't need to worry and Kyoto hasn't been influenced and that life is pretty normal and we are safe to go.
I don't know what I'll do if my university was Tokyo U or Tohoku U, but as my university is Kyoto U, definitely I will be going no matter whatever panic the media or some of us in the forum are causing.

Same here, there is not much that will prevent me from going to Japan. If anyone does not feel comfortable going then by all means do not go, no one will be mad if you decide not to go.

Let's just start packing and ignore the rumors.

the embassy contacted us saying that our schedule has been changed, the MEXT offered us 2 options of departure: either after the middle of April (which still is not certain), or in October. Ofcourse this change wasnt made because of the disaster in Japan, i guess it's because of the mud volcanoes here)))).
see you guys in October, take care.
P.S. i dont have any picture of nuclear plant in my room, so you dont need to worry)))

That is a pretty poor attitude to have.

news

ive got an email from my sensei earlier this day.
he told me im scheduled to arrive in april 4th and he also reserved the carrier service to take me from kansai airport to the dorm. its been a month since the last email he sent to me.
So, it seems that at least in my case there wont be a delay.
However, no air ticket from the consulate yet. maybe, at tomorrows party therell be more news.
Moreover, it seems Japan have had its first victory since this nuclear crisis had begun
www3.nhk.or.jp/daily/english/18_05.html[/url]
I believe the strong japanese will manage this situation.
Let us pray for ourselves and for Japan.

Awww poor me!!! I will have to handle this poor attitude and live with it. But remember, the only attitude you need to care about is yours, leave poor attitudes to the owners- to poor people!!!
Enough talkings about me, this is my decision, respect it as I respect yours!!!

more news

Theres interesting and at my pov very good news at Nature, that id like to share here:
nature.com/news/2011/110317/full/news.2011.168.html
I think its best parts are as follows:
1)" The levels in Japan itself, outside the immediate vicinity of the Fukushima power plant, "wouldn't scare me", he adds. "
2) the animation showing the predicted radiations course from march 15 to 20. Altough predicted, it seems we should be safe.

My consulate just called me and said everything is going ahead as scheduled and essentially that I still shouldn't be worrying too much at this point.

A friend in Malay just told me that she had received the same email about the delay, but the delay is only for those in affected areas while those going to study in unaffected areas will go on schedule. I'm rather confused at this moment cuz my embassy clearly stated in the email that all MEXT students will have delayed departure.

weve had a party today at the consulate in rio.
The consul gave us the option to delay our departure, but im going on april.
He mentioned that some universities may change schedule like delaying a month to begin the semester. But it seems this is not the case of kyodai.
Ive got consul and sensei info that i am arriving on april.
We ve also received a signed letter from consul, stating that we re monbukagakusho scholars and that our tickets will be delivered to us 2 weeks before departure to Japan.