My GSEP Experience
Greetings! I’m Pascal from the Philippines, and thanks for taking an interest in the Global Scientists and Engineers Program,or GSEP for short!
Do you love experiencing new things? Facing challenges? Tinkering with contraptions? Immersing yourself in a foreign culture? Most importantly, do you dream of one day changing the world? If you answered yes to all those questions, then GSEP is the right place for you!
I entered GSEP because I have a dream: to one day kickstart a Philippine space program. It may sound lofty at first, but with the recent launch of my country’s first satellite, rocket launches getting cheaper and orbit becoming more accessible, I believe I can use the skills I learn in GSEP to make this dream come true. Space is just the field that needs an interdisciplinary approach; astronauts exemplify this, they must be experts in many different fields. Mechanical Engineers must be fluent in Botanical terms, and Doctors must know their way around a spanner. This is just the way of thinking one can learn in GSEP.
As the weather gets chillier and classes continue, it really puts into perspective how coming to Tokyo Tech may be one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. Over the past months I’ve accomplished so much in so little time: In between Sociology lectures and Physics experiments, I’ve climbed Mt. Takao, fought in a debate competition, chatted with Nobel Prize Winners, attended a traditional shamisen concert, and launched model rockets. There’s never a dull moment in GSEP.
Of course, it’s not all fun and games; being a foreigner thrown into an environment much different from what you’re used to can be very straining on the mentally unprepared. It took m a while to get used to the train system of Japan. Thankfully, with the support of the kind faculty and tutors of the TSE department, we survived the first few weeks of registration forms and official documents. I still chat with my tutor from time to time, as he helps me with mundane questions like “What day is for throwing out plastic bottles?” or “How do you say, ‘health insurance fee’ in Japanese?”. I would like to sincerely thank my professors and friends for really making me feel like I belong in the GSEP family.
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tudying in Tokyo Tech has allowed me to hone my problem-solving skills, both in the classroom and out. From the endless proving exercises in Calculus, to Sociology debates about Innovation and Inequality, you will always have some new ideas to ponder each week. One of my favorite things about Tokyo Tech is the ingrained maker culture. Every student has some personal project or other that can really surprise you with how innovative they can be. One of my friends is working on a crowd-sourced flood monitoring system using smartphone apps, two things I wouldn’t have thought of putting together before. Talking with my peers has really opened my eyes, and helped me think outside of the box when solving problems. In my after-class hours, I like to practice debate with the Debate Club, and go on excursions with the Photography Club. With access to strong extracurricular clubs and the recent push for a stronger liberal arts education, Tokyo Tech really gives students an entire holistic learning experience.
It’s hard to imagine all this happened just within my first year; I really can’t say what I can expect moving forward. I hope my life in GSEP will be full of more adventures, immersing myself in foreign cultures, meeting new friends, and learning the skills I’ll need in attaining my goals.
Thanks for reading! I wish you all the best, and I hope to see you soon in GSEP!
