Voice From Alumni
Dr. Dipesh Kharel
- From
- Sunkhani
- Degree
- MPhil in visual anthropology and documentary filmmaking at the University of Tromso, Norway, Master's degree from Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University, PhD from the University of Tokyo
Message
Please give a short introduction about yourself.
I am Dipesh Kharel from Sunkhani, a village in northeast Nepal, on the foot of the Himalayas. When I was a child, there was no sign of modern amenities like; transportation, electricity, schools, and hospitals in the village. I have completed my MPhil degree in visual anthropology and documentary filmmaking at the University of Tromso, Norway in 2006. With my deep interest in Japan and the Asia - Pacific region, I moved to Japan in 2009 as a MEXT scholarship student for my second master at Ritsumiken Aisa Pacific Unversity. In 2012, I received Ph.D. admission offers from the University of Tokyo as well as Oxford University. I choose the University of Tokyo over Oxford Unversity because I thought there would be many more opportunities and newer things to explore in Japan. I completed my Ph.D. in 2017 with the Outstanding Thesis Award and also received the UTokyo President Award in 2018. Currently, I am working as a JSPS (Japan Society for the Promotion of Science) post-doctoral fellowship at Sophia University and visiting researcher at the University of Tokyo. My research focuses on immigrants in Japan. I am hoping to use my research results to aid the development of peaceful immigration policies and, in turn, a peaceful world. As a filmmaker, researcher, and educator, I am providing information, sharing knowledge, exchanging ideas, and spreading awareness to create a better world.
What is your favorite thing about Beppu and Tokyo?
During my Master’s degree study at Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University, one of my most favorite things was to go onsen (hot spring) baths. The University is located in Beppu, a small town which is very famous for the natural hot-spring. With beautiful mountains and ocean, Beppu is a lovely place. After I moved to Tokyo, I enjoyed the diversity of people’s lives, the variety of colors, and multiculturalism. Even though Tokyo is the most populated city in Japan, it is a clean, systematic, and user-friendly city. It is the most modern city in the world, but it also keeps its tradition which I like. I am enjoying to experience this multi-cultural city and learning global society by connecting with people from throughout the world.
Winter holiday in Hokkaido in 2016
In what ways has your impression of Japan changed since coming here?
Before I came to Japan, my image of Japan was a technologically advanced- a modern country, big cities with high skyscrapers and hard-working people. After I came to Japan, I am impressed by the manner of the Japanese people, honesty, their civilization, and their love for tradition. I have also visited the countryside of Japan and impressed by the beauty there. Japan is not only the land of the rising sun but also the land of heaven.
What attracted you to choose Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University and the University of Tokyo as a place to study?
For my Master’s degree, I attracted to Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific Univesity because it has a well-known international master’s program on Asia Pacific Studies. The University is also attractive as it is a place where the world gathers students from over 90 50 countries. For my Ph.D. I fascinated by the features of ITASIA (Information, Technology, and Society in Asia )doctoral program at GSII, the Unversity of Tokyo. The excellent doctoral program where we can get the academic environment, gain professional experience, exchange knowledge and self-development and growth. As a globally top-ranked university, the Univesity of Tokyo provides cutting edge research facilities and global exposures. The University also offers comprehensive research fellowships, grants, and opportunities to eligible professionals willing to conduct research and enhance their careers. Because of all these opportunities and facilities available, I decided to pursue my Ph.D. at the Univesity of Tokyo.
Receiving the President Award, at the University of Tokyo 2018
Learning Kagura dance, in Akitakata, Hiroshima in 2017
What attracted you to stay and work in Japan afterwards? In what ways, do you like your work?
I have been living in Japan for over ten years. I have experienced and realized that Japan is a fascinating place to study, work, and live. I feel very comfortable to live in Japan. During my study, I have also learned basic Japanese, which helped me to learn more about Japanese culture and lifestyle. Japanee people are warm, friendly, and helpful, and you are always invited to learn up the Japanese culture. These are the main reasons I am attracted to stay and work in Japan.
Please write a message to students or researchers in your home country who may be thinking about studying in Japan.
Japan and Nepal have a good friendship. We have many similarities and differences, and many things to learn from each other. In my opinion, Japan should be your top priority if you are considering studying abroad. Japan offers several scholarships, making it easy for students to focus on education. You will love to stay forever once you visit Japan.