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Discover Our People

International Students, Irasshai! (Alia Bihrajihant Raya)

Interviews with UTokyo students from all over the world

Alia Bihrajihant Raya


Third-year Doctoral degree student, Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics, Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences
From Indonesia. Inspired by the drama Oshin which she saw when she was a child, she is making efforts to improve the lives of farmers in her country. As the mother of two children, she is a hard worker truly resembling a real-life Oshin.

Q. Why did you come to Japan/UTokyo?

I love Japanese dramas (I’m a big fan of the actor Eita), and they made me want to be a student in Japan. After participating in a joint research project between my home university (Gadjah Mada University) and UTokyo, I kept in touch with a UTokyo professor who was in charge of the project. He let me study under him, so I was able to come to UTokyo. At that time, I was already a lecturer at my university, so I received a scholarship from the government specifically for lecturers.
 

Q. What did you study as a Doctoral student, and what are your plans for after graduation?

I cooperated with farmers’ groups in Indonesia to improve their product distribution system, enabling them to earn more stable incomes. I also used statistics to prove that there was a rise in their level of education. After graduating, I will go back to teaching at my home university, but I want to maintain my relations with UTokyo by collaborating on research or in other ways. I plan to watch closely for an opportunity to come back to Japan, haha!
 

Q. What did you find most difficult about Japan/UTokyo, and what did you like the most about Japan/UTokyo?

The Japanese language is difficult for me. My children help me practice speaking it. One thing I like about UTokyo is that it has Halal food and that the support for me and my children, such as through the University nurseries, is very good. Also, getting together with other members of the Indonesian Students Association helps me to relax.

Q. Please tell us something you’d like to share about Indonesia!

  • Yogyakarta Palace

  • In Front of the Graves of Yogyakarta Kings

  • Javanese Dance

  • Scenery in Yogyakarta

My hometown of Yogyakarta, like Kyoto, is a former capital rich in history and culture. The second picture from the left is of my friends and I wearing clothes made out of batik fabric.
* The content of this page was translated from the Ryuugakusei-san Irasshai! article printed in Gakunai Kouhou No. 1466. (Japanese language only)

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