Student's Voice

Ms. May Thazin Tun

Master course student
Department of Civil Engineering
The University of Tokyo

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Hello! My name is MAY Thazin Tun from Myanmar. I am a master student studying at the University of Tokyo. I am working under the Nagai Laboratory of the Civil Engineering Department. This is my second year of study and the first year was smoothly thanked my professor and colleagues who helped me a lot. It is such an honored to let me participate and share my experience about my student life in this student voice of this newsletters.

After I had done my undergraduate studies, my family encouraged me to continues further studies in some foreign universities. I was a bit hesitated at that time, since I was not confident enough in staying alone in the foreign country, speaking English and so on. So against my family's desire, I decided to create my own path by working as site engineer which is the most popular job title among the civil graduate in my country. After working in that field for more than 2 years, I came to realize that I need a higher degree in order to improve my skills. While I was having difficulty in selecting the university, my teacher recommended me that there were so many opportunities for the scholarship to get into the University of Tokyo. So that I decided to apply for this University. I was lucky as I was selected for the scholarship program from Asian Development Bank in 2016 and I started my journey of Master Degree of Civil Engineering.

I came here in September 2016, one month prior to my class schedule. When I reached Japan, I got hospitality from the student from the University of Tokyo who picked me up at the airport. Without him, I probably couldn't settle here. He was very patient and helped me a lot of things that I need to do such as applying for a bank card. The way he helped me make my afraid to be disappeared. I am lucky again as the students and teachers from the University of Tokyo help me to settle down quickly in a new environment. I do appreciate them for their warmly welcome on me and their help during my struggling period to settle down in Japan.

The main problem of living in Japan was a language because I could not speak well in Japanese Language and I had a lot of difficulties in daily life communication. The University of Tokyo know our problem and they arrange a language class for the international students. I can speak more in correct way after valuable class and I can now communicate well the Japanese people in daily life. In that Japanese class, we do not only learn the language but also make many activities such as Ocha Tea ceremony, making the speech, visiting the shrine and so on. I really like this class. Fortunately, English language is mainly used in teaching and I can understand very well in the lecture time. There are also a lot of activities which are organized by the University of Tokyo and I become to realize the importance of co-operation and group work.

Before I had started my research, I visited a lot of places around Tokyo. The first one I visited was that Asakusa Temple. It is one of the famous temples in Tokyo. Not only the temples, I also visited many shopping malls, parks, Shibuya Crossing and many other interesting places. Among these places, I like to visit the parks that have many beautiful flowers because I have never seen it in my country. Another thing is that the snow. My home country is tropical and there is a huge difference in weather between Japan and Myanmar. I have never seen snow before I came to Japan and I was very happy when I see it for the first in Tokyo.

Times flies very fast. The first year of my master student life was such a beautiful memory for me. I learned new thing, made many international friends and learned different cultures and traditions, and knew how to adjust myself to different situations. I have never thought that studying aboard world be so exciting and fun. It is not all about studying and graduation, it is also about widening my knowledge.

Now I have started my thesis "The quality control of construction of concrete structures in Myanmar". The research is being done in Myanmar. Not only I am busy with my research, but also I have to attend seminars and conferences. My professor also helps me a lot in my research. After finishing the research and getting the master degree, I hope I can utilize my knowledge and experience to improve the current condition of my country.