Life in Japan

Ratih Fitria Putri

Ratih Fitria Putri

Profile

My name is Ratih Fitria Putri, 27 years old. I came from Yogyakarta City, Indonesia. Currently, I am a first year doctoral student in Josaphat Laboratory, Graduate School of Advanced Integration Science, Division of Information Sciences, Chiba University, Japan. I live with my husband and son.

Japan and Its Uniqueness

Two memorable things of Japan are “on time culture” and “trust”. Japanese people tend to fulfill their schedule and appointment on time. Coming late for meeting or appointment is not appropriate attitude in Japanese culture. Furthermore, Japanese people give much attention to disabled people. I can see so many public facilities built for disabled people, even with a real time communication tool so that the disabled people can call the officer when they need help.

Studying in Japan

Japan is a country with sophisticated science and technology. Even Japanese cartoon movies are fully loaded with high-tech imagination. In my childhood period, I really enjoyed watching Japanese cartoons, such as Doraemon. I really like Doraemon, who always kindly helps Nobita using his extraordinary devices. At that time, I dreamt for creating a system to help other people as Doraemon did to Nobita. Nowadays, this childhood dream brings me to Japan. I really want to develop a mitigation device for helping people avoiding Tsunami hazard.

Indonesia is a country with high Tsunami risk. Tsunami observation is very important since it can be used as a mitigation tool for natural disaster, particularly for tsunami disaster prevention. Remote sensing technology can help people understanding particular area hit by Tsunami wave. Local government and many stakeholders especially those who have an interest in Tsunami hazard and sand dune conservation management can use this technology. I really hope that in the future, my research will be useful for my country, especially to reduce destructive impact of Tsunami.

Japanese culture is very interesting. In my laboratory, I have three Japanese students. In my spare time, we often have nice conversation about Japanese culture and social etiquette. Japanese people have a lot of social etiquettes. At the first time, it is quite difficult to understand and obey this matter. Fortunately, my academic advisor and Japanese friends kindly explain some social rules and suggest practical things that are easy to follow. Now, when my Japanese friends ask me, "How about living in Japan?" I can answer, "I get used to it."

In the first semester, I joined basic Japanese language course in Center of Language Study, Chiba University. Every day, starting from 08.30 to 11.30am, I learnt practical Japanese language which is very useful for everyday conversation. In the afternoon, I went to my laboratory to do my research.

Now, due to my research activity, I have to do self-learning Japanese language. I practice it with my Japanese friend. They help me a lot, sometime explaining a new word that I cannot understand. In practical conversation, so many new expressions are used, especially shorten word and unofficial grammar. By practicing it, I can understand how Japanese people express their feeling and idea. In the meantime, I often think about having more time to study Japanese language. In Japan, busy time is more than 18 hours per day, so that it is almost impossible to do many things at the same time. However, I learn a lot from my Japanese friend. Within a limited time, I should do my best for my study.

Weekly Activities

This table can be scrolled sideways.

3:00-4:00 5:00-7:00 7:00-11:00 11:00-13:00 13:00-17:00 17:00-3:00
Mon Prayer Cooking Study/Research Eating Study/Research Time for Family, Sleeping, etc.
Tue Prayer Cooking Study/Research Eating Study/Research Time for Family, Sleeping, etc.
Wed Prayer Cooking Study/Research Eating Study/Research Time for Family, Sleeping, etc.
Thu Prayer Cooking Study/Research Eating Study/Research Time for Family, Sleeping, etc.
Fri Prayer Cooking Study/Research Eating Study/Research Time for Family, Sleeping, etc.
Sat Prayer Cooking Study/Research Eating Study/Research Time for Family, Sleeping, etc.
Sun Prayer Cooking Study/Research Eating Study/Research Time for Family, Sleeping, etc.
  • Everyday, starting from 03.00 to 04.00 am, I have a compulsory task as a Moslem. 
    I have to conduct a morning pray as my grateful expression to God.

Monthly Living Costs

Income Scholarship ¥65,000
Child Allowance ¥15,000
Total Income ¥80,000
Outcome Apartment Rental Fee ¥37,000
Foods ¥25,000
Electricity, Gas and Water Supply ¥10,000
Phone Fee ¥3,000
Transportation & Insurance ¥5,000
Total Outcome ¥80,000
  • Currently, I am receiving scholarship with 1 year period from April 2012 to March 2013.
  • For the next academic year, I still have to look for another scholarship.Every semester, I have to apply waiver for tuition fee to Chiba University.
  • Almost 47% of my income is used for paying housing fee and 31% for foods.
  • Compared to Indonesia, food price in Japan is quite expensive.
  • In Japan, I have to pay for food 4 times more expensive than in Indonesia.


Cooking satay


Indonesian traditional food, which consists of satay, fish and soup

During staying in Japan, I always cook everyday. I like to cook Indonesian traditional food. It is not so complicated recipe, but delicious. In my busy time, I buy food from cafeteria. I really like to consume vegetables and Halal meat. It is very important to have healthy food everyday to support my research activity. Sometime, I have to work up to late night. Fortunately, I can have my dinner at cafeteria since it is opened until 7 pm. Cafeteria is really helpful for students.

I stay in a small private apartment with my husband and my baby (4-month old). My apartment is very convenient. Kitchen room is quite wide, so that it is easier for me, as a mom and wife, to cook and doing daily activities with all family members. Our neighborhood is nice and friendly. The owner of the apartment is also very kind. This hospitality has encouraged us to stay in this apartment until my graduation day, even though I have to walk 25 minute to my university.

Layout

  • Room Layout: 2 DK
    (2-bedroom with dining/kitchen area)
  • Rental Fee: 37,000 yen/month
  • Duration: 25-minute walking from Chiba University and 10 minutes by bicycle.

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