Oita Godo Newspaper (February 7, 2009)

At Oita University on 6th afternoon, according to the global deteriorate condition facing now and the effect from high valued exchange in yen, as a consequence the amount of remittance has decreased and livelihood for overseas students become difficult to handle with, then rice has become a present for them. USA said that the guardian of Japanese students donated the rice around 100 kilograms for 'overseas students who are in trouble', the contribution from the University's staffs 213 kilograms. The students were waiting hopefully; Chinese, Korean, Malaysian and so on from 9 countries, 411 students will be given the rice 3 kilograms per person. At last, the students had written on the paper for guardians that donated rice for them with the feeling of thanks, which was conveyed from them.

The deteriorate effects and high valued exchange in yen, the overseas students who rely on the allowance, this has produced a direct hit to them. The Korean short term exchange student, Chang Shee Jae (22 years), according to her report, high valued in yen but less valued in won approximately 4 % lower, 'a cost for eating outside has become cheaper, and the rice can help a lot', she said. Oita University has overseas students from 21 countries 171 students (calculated from February until nowadays). Most of them are staying in University's dorm spending livelihood and cooking by themselves.  Another similar big issue is the investigation to establish the policy for supporting those overseas students.

Comment; the financial crisis has affected around the world, not only Japan. But as I'm also one of overseas students here, I would like to say that the policy to support the international students should be implemented as soon as possible, there are lots of students who are in trouble; their parents loan money from the back and sent them to be higher educated in Japan, but those students still have to help parents by doing part time job. So, I think there should be some policies launched to support their living standards particular, students from India, Bangladesh, Sir Lanka, and South Africans.

PUNTHUCHAT Siripun

Thailand

APS3, Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University