From Republic of the Union of Myanmar
- Name
Mr. Zin Ko Ko Win & Ms. Theint Theint Myo (They are married) - Country/ Region of Citizenship
Republic of the Union of Myanmar - Graduated from
(Zin Ko) Mandalay Technological University
(Theint) Yangon Technological University - Department
Department of Computer Science and Communications Engineering （Master’s）
Japanese Grant Aid for Human Resource Development Scholarship Honors
Would you please tell us regarding you before coming to Japan?
(Zin Ko) I came from Mandalay. It is the second largest city in the country, an ancient city like Kyoto, Japan. My home town has a long history, culture, also famous heritages and a palace. Many tourists come from all over the world.
I have studied at Mandalay Technological University.
When the new generation mobile project was launched in our country about three and half years ago, many engineers came to Yadanabon Cyber City to have training. We met each other during the training.
(Theint) I have been to Mandalay twice, one time for a visit and the other was for the business. I was born in Yangon, the capital, and grown up there. I have studied at Yangon Technological University.
Did you have any concerns before coming to Japan? What do you think about Tokyo or Japan now?
(Zin Ko) This is our first time to come to Japan. We had much information about Japan from our friends studying in Japan before coming, and they said that if we did not talk in Japanese language, we could not go anywhere! So, we had a little worry concerned with the language because we learned the Japanese language only one month. But now, it is OK. We can go anywhere we want to go. (Theint) I think Tokyo is very nice and comfortable place. We can go everywhere easily and safely. (Zin Ko) Yes, the city is very safe, very clean and comfortable. We can go outside even in the midnight. (Theint) I am studying Japanese language via website now. (Zin Ko) Before our enrollment to the university, JICE (JICA) made many orientations for us. And we got many knowledge about Japan, some tip to adapt quickly life in Japan, we have learned also how to evacuate from fire or smokes!JICA gave us the training. It was for nearly one week or ten days. JICA invited many speakers from famous universities to tell us Japanese culture, life in Japan, or how to stay in Japan comfortably. Many seniors from Waseda University also provided us much information. It also made us easy to stay in Japan. (Theint) At the orientation held by Waseda university in the beginning of the school year, we easily understood the online course registration, as we didn’t have such a registration system, it was useful. I attended other orientation and I learned about differences between two countries and how we can communicate with each other or how to introduce ourselves.
Waseda University also provides information and guidance in English for the International Students like us. Therefore, we don’t face any difficulties in learning.
Have you had any difficulties when you started a new life here?
We can start the new life in Japan very well and smoothly. With the kindly help of JICE and seniors, we don’t have any difficulties in renting room, making bank account and even buying the train ticket like PASMO. The information provided by orientations held by university and International Student’s help desk are also very helpful.
How did you find out about Waseda University?
We firstly found JDS a Scholar program announcement to study ICT field in Waseda University on social network. Then we searched the information about Waseda and current researches through the internet. We found supervisor and their research thorough the internet.
We realized that we are very lucky to study at Waseda. We wanted to study in Tokyo, and Waseda is located in the center of downtown, so we can easily go anywhere.
(Zin Ko) As the Takadanobaba station is near and, it is very attractive and comfortable to Myanmar people. Around the station, there are many Myanmar restaurants and grocery stores. We can buy anything from Myanmar which we want. And around Okubo station, there are also many Asian food shops. But everything is almost ten times higher than our country.
(Theint) Because Myanmar foods are different from Japanese foods, I also worried about foods culture. Now, there is no problem.
Why did you choose Waseda University?
From visiting the Waseda website and the information shared by friends who are studying in Japan, we found that Waseda University is one of the greatest and most famous universities in Japan. Besides, we also realized that it is very hard to get the chance to study in Waseda and we possess that golden chance.
Was our website useful for you to have enough information?
(Zin Ko) Firstly, I tried to find Professor SATO’s Lab. So I checked Waseda’s website and easily found his lab, I found his current research there as well. And also found two our senior students from Myanmar studying in his lab. One of them finished her study at Waseda, and got the degree. Now she is in home country.
(Theint) My lab has also one senior student from Myanmar, I can ask her anything I want to know.
How are the relationships with your supervisor and lab members?
Our professors are very nice and kindly guide us. There are many international students not only from Asia but also from Africa and Latin America in our labs and most of them communicate in English. They are very helpful and share the information and life in Japan with us. So we have the good relationship with them.
Outlines of the research
(Zin Ko) I am interested in the wireless mobile communication and will focus on next generation mobile network 5G.
(Theint) My research is on the field of Distributed Computing Systems. Especially focus on the caching of Content Centric Network.
Activity in Free Time
Although we don’t have so much free time, we used to participate in ICC’s events and trips. That is not only a kind of relaxation but also the learning about the Japanese cultures and environment. Sometimes we go to Toyama Park because study in park is very nice and make us fresh. Besides, we can go to Waseda gym to do exercise.
Recently we went to TOTORO House in Tokorozawa by participating in the ICC activity. We are big fan of TOTORO, so we enjoyed it much. In my country, TOTORO is very famous, and Japanese cartoons are also popular.
We can have many friends from different countries through such event.
(Zin Ko) Well, once we treated other students with Myanmar traditional foods. Ms.Theint got up early and cooked dishes. While cooking, I helped her. She was very happy when everybody enjoyed her delicious dishes.
Short message to the prospective students
in English
Hi everybody, we are Zin Ko Ko Win and Theint Theint Myo, members of Myanmar Engineering Society (MES). We worked as telecommunication professionals in private sector while we were in Myanmar and now studying in Waseda University as graduate students. We would like to share good news about Waseda University that is very pleasant to study. You can learn advanced and up to date lectures/research in good learning environment. We expect to see you soon in Waseda.
