JICE International Exchange Program

Mr. Trishit Banerjee, who visited Japan through the JENESYS2.0 program in 2014, is studying at Tohoku University. He won the Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology Award (Grand Prize) on the 8th Annual All Japan Student English Presentation Contest (organized by KANDA GAIGO GROUP and The Yomiuri Shimbun) held in 2019.

His Interview video is published on our Facebook.

Interview : vol.1 / vol.2 / vol.3

―What is the most impressive/memorable part in JENESYS2.0?

JENESYS 2.0 in 2014 was the first time I travelled outside India. I did not know what to expect as I had very little knowledge about Japan. I had many stereotypes about Japan. However, my visit to a local school in Musashino area, Tokyo really changed the way I looked at the world. I met a young student who taught me Japanese traditional tea ceremony. In the end, when I asked her what she wanted to become when she grew up; she said that she wanted to become a sweet-maker. Her reply impressed me a lot and I began wondering, in a big city like Tokyo where she could have become anything, why she dreamt of being a sweet-maker. Her true passion and the sense of dignity about labor inspired me to look at our world with a positive attitude. I returned to India with even more confidence about pursuing my dreams no matter what happens.

―How was the support from JICE staff and coordinator through the program? Any suggestions for improvement?

The JICE Staff and Coordinators were extremely supportive and made my trip memorable. Ichihashi Hitomi-san was coordinating my group and she made sure we were ok throughout our trip. She sent us off up to the security checkpoint at Narita Airport. Today, we are still in touch and I meet her whenever I visit Tokyo. This goes on and proves the extent of support JICE was providing us, which make me feel as if I am a part of a big Japanese family.

―What do you study (research) at university in Japan?

I joined the undergraduate program in Chemistry in English at Tohoku University in 2015. I completed the 4-year course and graduated in September 2019. Currently, I am continuing my Master’s Program at Tohoku University in Chemistry. I am researching about a gene-editing protein called Cas9 and trying to develop a mutant which can slide over DNA.

―What made you to study in Japan? (Why did you choose Tohoku University?)

The JENESYS trip inspired me to study in Japan. After returning to India at the end of JENESYS program, I wanted to go back to Japan to experience its culture, discipline and be with the people. I had no information about Japanese universities except for University of Tokyo. At a JENESYS reunion event held at the Embassy of Japan, New Delhi in early 2015; I got a chance to interact with the Director of the University of Tokyo – India Office. I spoke to him about my interest in studying chemistry in English in Japan. At that time, he introduced me to Tohoku University and Nagoya University. I finally chose Tohoku University and here I am, in my 5th year in Japan.

―How do you enjoy your life in Japan?

Life in Japan has been extremely good. A large part of my time is spent in university classrooms or at my laboratory, however, I do a lot of extracurricular activities at the same time. I spend my time promoting Tohoku Tourism (in association with Sendai TV) and Japanese education in India. In the university, I work with the Global Learning Centre to assist international students and develop projects for the internationalization of Tohoku University.

I love eating Japanese sweets so I make sure to try new places for eating Anko (Sweet Red Bean Paste), Warabi Mochi (Bracken starch with sweet toasted soybean flour) and since I am in Sendai, I love drinking Zunda Smoothie (Green Bean Smoothie) at Sendai Station.

I also travel a lot and I have been all over Tohoku, Fukuoka, Nagasaki, Tochigi, Miyazaki, etc. My favourite places are Fukushima prefecture and Naoshima in Kagawa prefecture. It is always great to meet new people and have new experiences especially in rural Japan.

―Do you have any advice for future participants of JICE international exchange programs and those who want to study in Japan?

Japan may not be the first choice you have in your mind but keep an open perspective. It will be a lifetime’s worth of experience to come to the eastern end of the world and immerse yourself in the cultural hotpot that it is. Japan has something for everyone who is willing to try and work hard. You may face language barriers but as you spend more time, all barriers will start to fade away and you will find yourself making real difference to the society. JICE JENESYS Program truly inspired me to have a fresh perspective on Japan and global society. It has helped me grow and become a better person and I am sure, it will do the same to you.