After spending time in the workforce,I enrolled,as an adult,in IDEC's master's program in 1996. Upon graduation, I opened up my own office,where I currently conduct a consulting business dealing with transportation planning and regional planning issues. During the course of my business operations,I constantly utilize the knowledge and analytical methods that I had gained during my research activities in the master's program.

Last year,I joined IDEC again as a "working student". Since then,I have been studying in order to acquire further advanced technical skills,as well as to improve my credentials as a business consultant. Today,my study activities and my business have become inseparable. As a consultant,I propose useful solutions to a variety of local problems,through applying the progressive methods that I learned during my studies at IDEC,which precisely fulfill the needs of society. Also,I often receive assistance and support on my overseas business trips from the many friends that I made through IDEC.

Only two more years remain in my study program at IDEC. However,I hope to attain an even deeper level of technical expertise and gain far broader knowledge from an international perspective,within IDEC's ideal academic environment.

I enrolled at IDEC in October of 2000.I was the first foreign student from Kazakhstan who had ever attended IDEC.

Just before the entrance examination,all I could feel was tension - I had no idea of what I should do next.A whole year and a half has already gone by since that time.How different I am now,as compared to back then! Before I came to Japan as a foreign student,I had engaged in several jobs related to international affairs.However, the range of my work experience had always been limited to the area of developmental aid.I appreciate the fact that since entering IDEC,I have obtained a wide range of knowledge,including issues relating to the world order and international development.

When I first came to IDEC,I was quite surprised to see many foreigners.I thought, "Wow!IDEC is truly international!"I believe that if you want to truly understand the different cultures of many countries,it is far better to actually visit the countries of interest,meet the people and converse with them,rather than to merely study the cultures through books or TV shows.IDEC provides us with these opportunities to learn about other cultures.Even if examined only in this sense,we can say that IDEC is truly a graduate school that has been created for the purpose of international cooperation.

During the two-year period that I spent at IDEC, I found that every single day was full of excitement.

First of all, I obtained myriad unique ideas from IDEC, as many students from completely different areas of academic specialization would conduct their own research on the common theme of international cooperation,under the same roof, debating over issues of mutual interest. Secondly, my life in the research office was filled with daily multicultural exchanges. This kind of experience actually increased my level of respect for different cultures. The aspect of IDEC that I appreciated the most was the ability to learn about a very diverse variety of experiences, both from my professors and fellow students. The people at IDEC came from different occupational backgrounds, such as academic studies,investment banking,government officials, members of the Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteers, etc. Listening to their many stories and experiences was a great help for me when I was deciding the direction that my own life should follow.

Currently, I am in charge of sales accounting for the IT Services Division at Mitsui &Co.,Ltd. All the useful skills that I obtained at IDEC,such as English language abilities,presentation skills, and the ability to negotiate and deal with people who hold differing points of view, now contribute significantly to my success in performing my daily work.

My master's thesis was an attempt to clarify the effects of educational improvement activities on school operations and management in Indonesia. I obtained a deep understanding of the educational situation within Indonesia through my experiences interviewing and conducting questionnaire-based surveys of government education officials and other personnel involved in the field of education. Through the actual process of implementing my research activities,I also learned new methods of communication and negotiating skills by interacting with people in the areas where research was conducted. Furthermore,I had the opportunity to fully appreciate the true importance of educational aids that fulfilled the specific needs of local communities.

My supervisor held to the principle that states,"The key to successful international cooperation is putting theory into practice". During my period of study in the master's program,I was always searching for truly effective educational aids through my own research activities,the daily lectures that I attended and through discussions with my friends. The experiences I have gained over these past two years will be very valuable for my future work in the area of international cooperation.

Japan is one of the most developed countries in the world.It plays an active role in supporting less developed nations in many fields.Japanese universities,research organizations and other non‐ government organizations are working hard in this regard,with IDEC being one of these institutions.My dream has always been to obtain my higher education in Japan.I completed my doctoral degree from IDEC in March of 2002.As a rural development practitioner, I found that IDEC is a unique place to obtain ideas and experience in the developmental activities from different parts of the world.Our seminar was a venue where the participants exchanged their views and ideas,based on their field experiences in different developing countries.Our professor inspired us to become involved in the process of discussion at the seminar.After completing the course,I now work at the Bangladesh Academy for Rural Development (BARD), and hope to apply the knowledge and experience I gained at IDEC,to rural developmental activities within Bangladesh. The professors and other officials at IDEC were very kind and helpful to the students.My sincere thanks go out to all my professors and fellow friends,for their help and cooperation during my studies at IDEC.