Contribution Articles: Message from former MEXT scholars
2026/4/23
A Quiet Education: Finding Meaning in Everyday Japan | Dr. Segofalang Sinaice
Much can be said about Japan, but perhaps the best way to begin is not with facts or achievements, but with a quiet moment, sitting on a park bench in Nishi-Koen, Sendai, watching life move gently around you. In that stillness, between passing conversations, rustling leaves, and the rhythm of footsteps, you begin to understand something about Japan that no brochure or academic report can quite capture. It is in these small, ordinary moments that the experience truly unfolds.
From the breathtaking, picturesque views, the world-class architecture, the clean streets, the good food, to the polite people, Japan offers an abundance of things to admire. I could begin this article by touching on the more pragmatic points, why I chose to study in Japan, my experience studying at a Japanese university, the duration of my studies, my qualifications, and so on. But those are facts that a quick Google search might bring up.
By the way, my name is Segofalang Annah Sinaice. I enjoy architecture, teaching it mostly, and reading and writing about it too, I write about modern architecture and public spaces, amongst other things. I love photography and people-watching. I enjoy learning about how people relate to space, the creation of place, because space and place are not the same, how daily life unfolds within these realms, and how the forces created by these dimensions shape human relationships.
So, people-watching, the act of sitting in silence and observing life move around you, can result in some remarkable life lessons, and a sense of appreciation not only for where you are, which in my case was Sendai, Miyagi, but also for where you are from, Botswana. I have distilled some of these lessons for my fellow MEXT scholarship recipients.
1. Time is fleeting, go view some Sakura.
Hanami marks the beginning of a new season, a new chapter in the Japanese year. This flower-viewing event is one of the most beautiful occasions you will get to experience. You will meet and socialise with your friends, lab mates, or colleagues, enjoying time beneath the beautiful sakura canopies while eating, drinking, and being merry. This moment also invites reflection on the ephemeral nature of life. Sakura only bloom for about 1–2 weeks per year, which makes the experience all the more special.
2. Some things are better done with others.
Sometimes even people-watching is better done in twos or threes. Find your own version of people-watching, a hobby you can share with others. It is easy to forget that there are people around you who feel the same way you do, overwhelmed by school or work, homesick, or simply tired. These are the moments when connection matters most. You are never alone, no matter how often it may feel that way. Pick up a camera and take up photography, Japan is so beautiful, it is almost impossible to take a bad photograph. Try cycling or hiking, there are so many new places to see and appreciate. Visit an art gallery or two, the list of things to do and places to see is endless.
3. Nature is healing.
My home was in the mountains, Yagiyama, to be exact. That meant I had a “free gym membership” because I had to walk up what felt like a mountain from my home to the station. I may be exaggerating slightly, but it certainly was a steep slope. A beautiful neighbourhood though, fantastic views and multiple parks and green spaces.
If there is anything I love more than an intentionally designed, playful building, Sou Fujimoto style, it has to be a park with trees, lots and lots of trees. Sendai is well known for this, the ‘City of Trees’, just look at Jozenji-dori! Trees breathe life into people. These parks become the lungs of the neighbourhood, and eventually the entire city. This is common across Japan, you can almost always stumble upon a park between school and home. Take those quiet walks, it is a good opportunity to reflect, refresh, and get those steps in.
4. Don’t be afraid to ask for help.
You will get lost, repeatedly. You will have piles of highly complex forms to fill in, some entirely in Japanese. You will not know how to sort out your trash, which bag plastics go in, how to dispose of recyclable paper, or even the difference between Calpis soda and dairy milk. Just ask for help.
No one moves to Japan knowing all of this, so treat it as part of the learning experience. You will often learn better by asking someone more informed, whether it is a lab mate, the international office, or student support staff. Every university has some form of support, including guidance on healthcare, hospitals with English support, and mental health services.
5. Be kind, always.
You never know what people are going through, so always choose kindness. It is a universal language, it knows no boundaries, no dialects. You will find yourself in situations where people want to speak to you but may not know how to begin. Have a teachable spirit, and let it come from a place of kindness and love, for humankind.
There are certain rooms that intelligence alone will not grant you access to. If you are remembered for anything, let it be your kindness.
6. Be proud of where you are from and where you are.
You are now officially an ambassador for your nation, Botswana. Remember that our nation is built on the ethos of motho ke motho ka batho, you are because of others, those around you, those who came before you, and those who will come after you.
When people meet you, you become a representation of Botswana. Your role is to teach others about where you come from, while also learning enough about where you are to return and share that knowledge. That is the beauty of the partnership between Botswana and Japan, we become part of a network of knowledge exchange.
7. Have fun.
I used to teach at a kindergarten, now I teach at a university. The fundamentals are surprisingly similar, student behaviour included, but that is a conversation for another day.
At the kindergarten in Taihaku Ward, at the end of our English lessons, the students would chant, “Have fun!” My job was to make learning English enjoyable, which was not always easy. One would cry, another would fall asleep, but there would also be the one staring with a huge smile, waiting for their favourite song, or the one eagerly anticipating their favourite story, ‘Cowboy Kirk’ or something along those lines. Moderate to mild chaos in every lesson.
But that is life, isn’t it? Moderate to mild chaos, but you have to find joy in the in-between moments. So, despite whatever challenges may come with your stay in Japan, remember that there will always be joy in between, and countless opportunities to have fun.
And perhaps, when your time comes to leave, you will find yourself once again sitting quietly, watching life move around you, realising that it was never just about what you achieved, but about what you noticed, what you felt, and how you learned to see both Japan and yourself a little more clearly.
From the breathtaking, picturesque views, the world-class architecture, the clean streets, the good food, to the polite people, Japan offers an abundance of things to admire. I could begin this article by touching on the more pragmatic points, why I chose to study in Japan, my experience studying at a Japanese university, the duration of my studies, my qualifications, and so on. But those are facts that a quick Google search might bring up.
By the way, my name is Segofalang Annah Sinaice. I enjoy architecture, teaching it mostly, and reading and writing about it too, I write about modern architecture and public spaces, amongst other things. I love photography and people-watching. I enjoy learning about how people relate to space, the creation of place, because space and place are not the same, how daily life unfolds within these realms, and how the forces created by these dimensions shape human relationships.
So, people-watching, the act of sitting in silence and observing life move around you, can result in some remarkable life lessons, and a sense of appreciation not only for where you are, which in my case was Sendai, Miyagi, but also for where you are from, Botswana. I have distilled some of these lessons for my fellow MEXT scholarship recipients.
1. Time is fleeting, go view some Sakura.
Hanami marks the beginning of a new season, a new chapter in the Japanese year. This flower-viewing event is one of the most beautiful occasions you will get to experience. You will meet and socialise with your friends, lab mates, or colleagues, enjoying time beneath the beautiful sakura canopies while eating, drinking, and being merry. This moment also invites reflection on the ephemeral nature of life. Sakura only bloom for about 1–2 weeks per year, which makes the experience all the more special.
2. Some things are better done with others.
Sometimes even people-watching is better done in twos or threes. Find your own version of people-watching, a hobby you can share with others. It is easy to forget that there are people around you who feel the same way you do, overwhelmed by school or work, homesick, or simply tired. These are the moments when connection matters most. You are never alone, no matter how often it may feel that way. Pick up a camera and take up photography, Japan is so beautiful, it is almost impossible to take a bad photograph. Try cycling or hiking, there are so many new places to see and appreciate. Visit an art gallery or two, the list of things to do and places to see is endless.
3. Nature is healing.
My home was in the mountains, Yagiyama, to be exact. That meant I had a “free gym membership” because I had to walk up what felt like a mountain from my home to the station. I may be exaggerating slightly, but it certainly was a steep slope. A beautiful neighbourhood though, fantastic views and multiple parks and green spaces.
If there is anything I love more than an intentionally designed, playful building, Sou Fujimoto style, it has to be a park with trees, lots and lots of trees. Sendai is well known for this, the ‘City of Trees’, just look at Jozenji-dori! Trees breathe life into people. These parks become the lungs of the neighbourhood, and eventually the entire city. This is common across Japan, you can almost always stumble upon a park between school and home. Take those quiet walks, it is a good opportunity to reflect, refresh, and get those steps in.
4. Don’t be afraid to ask for help.
You will get lost, repeatedly. You will have piles of highly complex forms to fill in, some entirely in Japanese. You will not know how to sort out your trash, which bag plastics go in, how to dispose of recyclable paper, or even the difference between Calpis soda and dairy milk. Just ask for help.
No one moves to Japan knowing all of this, so treat it as part of the learning experience. You will often learn better by asking someone more informed, whether it is a lab mate, the international office, or student support staff. Every university has some form of support, including guidance on healthcare, hospitals with English support, and mental health services.
5. Be kind, always.
You never know what people are going through, so always choose kindness. It is a universal language, it knows no boundaries, no dialects. You will find yourself in situations where people want to speak to you but may not know how to begin. Have a teachable spirit, and let it come from a place of kindness and love, for humankind.
There are certain rooms that intelligence alone will not grant you access to. If you are remembered for anything, let it be your kindness.
6. Be proud of where you are from and where you are.
You are now officially an ambassador for your nation, Botswana. Remember that our nation is built on the ethos of motho ke motho ka batho, you are because of others, those around you, those who came before you, and those who will come after you.
When people meet you, you become a representation of Botswana. Your role is to teach others about where you come from, while also learning enough about where you are to return and share that knowledge. That is the beauty of the partnership between Botswana and Japan, we become part of a network of knowledge exchange.
7. Have fun.
I used to teach at a kindergarten, now I teach at a university. The fundamentals are surprisingly similar, student behaviour included, but that is a conversation for another day.
At the kindergarten in Taihaku Ward, at the end of our English lessons, the students would chant, “Have fun!” My job was to make learning English enjoyable, which was not always easy. One would cry, another would fall asleep, but there would also be the one staring with a huge smile, waiting for their favourite song, or the one eagerly anticipating their favourite story, ‘Cowboy Kirk’ or something along those lines. Moderate to mild chaos in every lesson.
But that is life, isn’t it? Moderate to mild chaos, but you have to find joy in the in-between moments. So, despite whatever challenges may come with your stay in Japan, remember that there will always be joy in between, and countless opportunities to have fun.
And perhaps, when your time comes to leave, you will find yourself once again sitting quietly, watching life move around you, realising that it was never just about what you achieved, but about what you noticed, what you felt, and how you learned to see both Japan and yourself a little more clearly.
23rd April, 2026
Segofalang Annah Sinaice (PhD)
Segofalang Annah Sinaice (PhD)
(LEFT) Akita in winter. © Segofalang Sinaice
(RIGHT)The work of the iconic Kenzo Tange, Hiroshima Peace memorial Museum. A robust, concrete frame. Doesn’t the human figure seem so compressed under this heavy structure? © Segofalang Sinaice
Sendai Aoba Festival along Jozenji-dori, The street is temporarily closed for the duration of the festival to allow people to move around freely, both dancers and spectators alike. © Segofalang Sinaice
Kanto Festival in Akita. © Segofalang Sinaice
Sendai Aoba Festival takes on multiple characteristics. © Segofalang Sinaice
Of course, a Sou Fujimoto art piece. Maruhon MakiArt Terrace (Ishinomaki Cultural Centre) © Segofalang Sinaice
We all love Sakura season. © Segofalang Sinaice
The lonely bench. One of my favourite spots in my neighbourhood in Yagiyama, Mikamine park. © Segofalang Sinaice
Spaces of contemplation. One of my favourite parks to visit near Yagiyama Station. © Segofalang Sinaice