TOKYO
HUMAN RESOURCES FUND
FOR CITY DIPLOMACY

Interviews with Students

Many students come from various countries and regions around the world using the Tokyo Human Resouces Fund for City Diplomacy to study at TMU.
This page features some of the students who finished study or currently studying on the Fund at TMU (including students studied on the previous fund, Asian Human Resources Fund.)

Saritha Padiyedath Gopalan

Profile

Name：: Saritha Padiyedath Gopalan
（October 2016 - September 2019）
Graduate School of Urban Environmental Sciences
Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering
Doctoral Program
Nationality：: India

Your research study

Interview: Please describe your research theme in simple terms.

Floods are the most common and widespread of all weather-related natural disasters. My research mainly focuses on the basic study of the heavy rain phenomenon in the Asian metropolitan river basin and the flooding problem caused by it in the urban areas. In Japan, the flash floods are very common leading to the loss of life and property. Hence it is necessary to have a basic knowledge about the rainstorm and floods in urban cities like Tokyo. We are trying to predict and forecast the flood using different runoff models in order to avoid its harmful effects.

Interview: What would you want to achieve through your studies in TMU?

My prime goal is to achieve doctoral degree within the prescribed time with excellence. In addition, I want to improve my Japanese language skills by communicating with my Japanese friends and others. I believe that TMU can be a good platform for making me a highly skilled researcher. Also, Japan has a fascinating and multifaceted culture and I wanted to gain some insight into this culture and society.

Interview: What is the main reason for you to choose TMU as a place to research?

I had a great admiration to visit Japan when I was a child. Later, I came to know about Tokyo Metropolitan University, a public university in Tokyo, from my husband Dr. Gubash Azhikodan, a former student of TMU. He recommended TMU for my further studies and introduced me with my advisor Prof. Akira Kawamura. It was a great opportunity for me to do the doctoral studies under the Tokyo Human Resources Fund Scholarship and I hope I can gain a deep knowledge in the field with the help of my supervisor.

Your life in Japan

Interview: How is your daily life in Tokyo so far?

Japan was so familiar to me because I have heard about its culture, custom and values earlier from my husband. It is really convenient to live here due to many factors such as metros, safety, beautiful seasons, etc. I have experienced the snow and cherry blossom first time in my life. The peoples here are very friendly, polite and time conscious. The only problem I faced is the language problem. However, my professor and tutor helped me to overcome all these difficulties up to a limit.

Interview: Have you faced any cultural/customary difference that have surprised or troubled you since you came to Tokyo?

I felt surprised each and every time by the kind and gentle behaviour of each and every one in Japan. They will repeat the same thing patiently until we understand. However, once I had a bad experience from a hospital staff who was very rude.

Your role in the future

Interview: What kind of roles would you like to play between Tokyo and your home country in the future?

After finishing my studies, I want to establish a bridge between both countries for the transfer of knowledge and technologies. Many of the Indian students would love to join TMU and improve their knowledge. Hence I will try up to my best to contribute to the future collaboration between the two countries.