canberra at twilight, outline of telsra tower

あと二日 (Two More Days)

“あと二日で帰国か”

カレンダーの日付にバツ印を付けながら感傷に浸る自分がいた。

部屋のど真ん中に横たわっている、思い出で詰まったスーツケースを眺めながらじっくりとこの一年間を振り返った。

去年の七月、不安と希望を胸に日本を経ち、エメラルドグリーンに輝く海のあるこの地“オーストラリア”に到着した。

肌寒い気候の中、大学の寮に一人でたどり着いた。そこからすべてが始まった。

初めに言語の壁以上に厚い壁が自分の前に立ちはだかった。それは授業で科された課題の量であった。授業数は日本の大学より少ないが授業のための読書量は比べ物にならないほど多く、かなり苦労した。また読書量の多さだけではなく、授業の内容を理解することも困難であった。その理由として国際関係学や政治学を日本で全く勉強したことがなかったからである。しかしこれらの科目にとても興味があったので諦めず毎日努力を重ねていった。

一番印象深く、また成長することができた授業は比較政治学の授業であった。その授業が特別な理由は、あらゆる文献を批判的に読むことの大切さを教えてくれた授業である。また理論や知識を実際にアウトプットし、また応用できる機会が多く、結果一番収穫が多かった。これらの得た知識や学んだ勉強方法は今後の自分の強みとなるだろう。

壁から逃げることなく立ち向かった結果、学びの多き、充実した日々を過ごすことができとても満足している。だが挫折しかけた時に、前に進むことができたのは素晴らしい友達が周りにいたからである。 彼らはいつも明るく元気に接してくれた。彼らの輝く姿は辛い中でも勉強を頑張るモチベーション、そして心の支えとなっていた。彼らにこの地で巡り合えたのは奇跡であり、本当にこの出会いに感謝をしている。

そして人と人との素晴らしい出会い以外にも感謝すべき出来事があった。それは大自然との出会いであった。自分はここオーストラリアでの大自然に心から魅了された。果てしなく広がる草原、夜を飾る無数の星、引き締まった胸筋をもつカンガルー、悠々と青い海の中で泳ぐカメ。写真では抑えきれない自然の美しさをこの目に焼き付けることができた。

この一年は人生で一番勉強し、苦労し、挑戦し、そして素敵な人達との出会いが多かった。

このような充実した一年を送ることができて本当に恵まれていると感じる。

“本当にありがとう”

心でつぶやきながらカレンダーの日程にバツ印を付き終えた。

 

‘Two more days until I leave Canberra.’

As I was marking an X on a calendar, I was feeling sentimental.

I looked at my suitcase filled with precious memories, then started to turn back the clock and look back at my experience in Australia thoroughly.

I was filled with high hopes and concern when I left Japan last July and arrived in this massive land with its beautiful, emerald-green ocean.

Amid chilly weather, I arrived at my dorm by myself. Everything started from that moment.

First of all, I was confronted by something bigger than the language barrier: the workload given by the university. Even though I took fewer courses than when I was in Japan, the workload was much heavier in Australia. Consequently, I had a hard time doing my study. In addition to the heavy workload, I also had a difficult time understanding the context of the courses. The reason for this was that I hadn’t studied either International Relations or Asian Politics in Japan. I was particularly interested in these subjects, however, so I didn’t give up and put a great deal of effort into studying every day.

The course called ‘Comparative Politics’ was the most impressive and thought-provoking course I took while at the ANU. It taught me the importance of being critical when reading journals and articles. It also helped me learn how to apply knowledge and theories from the course. In the end, it was one of my most fruitful experiences in terms of studying. I strongly believe the knowledge I gained from this course will be helpful in the near future.

As a result of fighting against the odds instead of running away, I was able to live very productive, fruitful days. Nevertheless, there were times when I stumbled and did not have enough strength to stand. The sole reason why I was able to stand up and keep pushing myself forward was that I was surrounded by a group of amazing, talented, and warm hearted people. They were always cheerful and kind towards me. Their bright presence has supported me spiritually. It is a miracle that I met them and I am really thankful to have done so.

In addition to the joys of meeting these people, there is another encounter for which I am especially thankful. This was my encounter with the vast nature in Australia – and I am truly fascinated by it. Boundless grasslands, countless stars which decorate the night sky, the muscled kangaroo, and turtles quietly swimming in the blue ocean. I was able to sear the image of this beautiful nature, which cannot be captured by a camera, into my eyes. This is the year I studied the most, had the most challenging time, tried so many things; and, most importantly, was able to meet so many beautiful people.

I am so blessed to have lived such a fruitful year as this.

‘Thank you so much.’

I whispered the words to myself and finished marking the X on the calendar.

We acknowledge the Ngunnawal and Ngambri people, who are the Traditional Custodians of the land on which Woroni, Woroni Radio and Woroni TV are created, edited, published, printed and distributed. We pay our respects to Elders past and present. We acknowledge that the name Woroni was taken from the Wadi Wadi Nation without permission, and we are striving to do better for future reconciliation.