Japanese Tokai University student, Honami Kosuge, has a goal.

In Samoa for an educational exchange programme, she wants to teach in Samoa in the near future.

“I was really looking forward to come here because I want to be [a] Japanese teacher in the future and I heard Samoa has some Japanese lecturers in the National University.”

Accompanied by 97 other students and 14 staff members from Japan, Ms. Kosuge is the student leader of the group who traveled to Samoa on the Bosei Maru which is a Tokai University research and training vessel.

“I am so excited to meet Samoan people and experience Samoa as I heard Samoan people [are] really kind and warm and friendly and I just want to meet and talk with Samoan people.

“And I’m expecting to feel all of that and they have their own culture like Palau,” she said.

She told of the pressure that comes with being a female leader to 98 students.

Still, she appreciates the learning experience.

“For the first time there is so much pressure but now it’s kind of okay because then I am trying to make people comfortable living and every day we have a meeting at night and I hear their opinions.

“Now for me it’s okay but in the beginning it was really difficult and I’m a little shy to speak in front of a lot of people,” revealed the 22 year old.

Ms. Kosuge said her goal is to get rid of her nerves when speaking in front a lot of people as she dreams of becoming a teacher, especially if it is going to be Samoa.

“How people are here, because we don’t usually come here, we usually go to Hawaii and so this is really rare, and it’s special to come here.

“And I want to know what people feel, what they value, their thoughts and learn how they can benefit from us and vice versa."