My name is Jonathan Twinamasiko. I went to Japan on the MEXT scholarship in 2010. After a year at the Tokyo Japanese Language Education Center, I moved to Fukuoka. I spent 3 years at the National Institute of Technology, Ariake College where I attained an Associate of Engineering majoring in Architecture. I transferred to Toyohashi University of Technology where I completed my Bachelor of Engineering majoring in Architecture. After my studies I worked as an English teacher for two years before I drew the curtain on my time in Japan.
My time in Japan was great. I have so many memories that I will always cherish. Most importantly, I had achieved my purpose; attaining a world-class education in architecture. After nine years however, I felt it was time to come back home. East, West, home is best! And so I returned... then oops!
Since I returned in 2019, my settling in has been challenging, yes more than 4 years later I still feel like I am settling in. Difficulty finding work, or at least well-paying work, navigating a Kampala that needs connections, which I did not have the opportunity to cultivate since I was away. Also, after 9 years away, I was a little detached from the culture and how things work here. In short, I was ill-prepared for my return. And the challenges still persist. After all I went through to get my architecture degree, up to now I have not been able to register with my professional body since my qualifications were not equated (correctly).
How I wished there were an alumni association to help me prepare for (before returning) and navigate my return home (after touch-down). I reached out to JAUA via the email I found on the website of the Japan Embassy in Kampala to no avail. I had to soldier on.
I have since talked with some friends whose experience is not too dissimilar to mine and have the same longing for an association where we can support one another in our respective endeavors.
My Vision for JAUA.
My biggest desire would be to help returnees in the reintegration process into the country. If this association did nothing else, if it only did this one thing, that would be it for me. This can take various forms, including but not limited to finding work and social support dealing with reverse culture shock. Then we can go on to see what else we can do.
At this stage, the picture is still forming. It was crucial that I/we take the first step. If you are reading this, then that has happened. Here I have shared my vision, but this is much bigger than me. Now together we shall move on from here and collectively do remarkable things.
We made it to Japan through different avenues for different periods of time and gained different experiences. However, I believe we all came out better because we did make that journey. And this is what unites us. Kansha no kokoro wo motte, ikimasho.
Objectives (or potential outcomes):
- Network for professional growth. Finding work, mentoring.
- Network for links and opportunities back to Japan.
- Provide social support on return, and for those preparing to go or those still in Japan.
- Support the Japanese community in Uganda.
- Act as a terminal in Uganda for Japanese companies/interests.
- Promote Japanese Language education in Uganda.
- Sponsor disadvantaged well-performing students.
Proposed Activities:
- Annual Dinner for Alumni and Japanese community in Uganda.
- Quarterly networking events.
- Market Days. Self-promoting of businesses of profession.
- Joint events with Japanese Embassy, Study in Japan program or Japanese companies and universities.
- Other random/nonscheduled social events.
- Community programs to enrich some of our communities.
Let us keep the responses on the Google Form coming. Next steps, we form a committee, set our objectives and goals, and define the activities through which we will look to achieve them. My hope is that we shall have our first meeting before this year ends.
I am in touch with people from the Embassy of Japan in Kampala and the Study in Japan Global Network seeking their support and involvement.
#OnwardsAndUpwards
