Part 8. Hachinohe to Miyako

 Getting off Silver Ferry.

At around 6 am the Silver Ferry sailed into Hachinohe port. I packed my things and went down to Silver ferry's top loading bay. My bike was parked on the top deck of the loading bay. I waited a few minutes before the main door opened and was given the green light to ride off. I as rode off I looked up into the skies and lots of rain clouds were gathering above. It might be raining, I thought.

The cycling from Hachinohe to Sendai is going to be different. I am going to take route 45. Route 45 starts from Hachinohe and follows the Eastern Pacific of Japan to Sendai city. The route is around 400km and runs through small coastal towns and cities.

My cycling goal for today is to reach Miyako city at nightfall. Mayako city is located 120km south of Hachinoa and should take me 10-20 hours to cycle due to the mountains along the route.

I left Hachinohe around 7 am and headed to Miyako city through route 45. I reached my destination Around 12pm.

7:45 am I left Hachinohe ferry port and followed the port road towards Hachinohe line 

On my route, to Miyako, I stopped by the Tanesashi Kaigan Campsite site and took this photo. Tanesashi Kaigan Campsite is located next to the ocean and it is an open green space area. At the time of the photo taken, there were few people there walking their dogs.

Crossing into Iwate prefecture from Aomori.100m  ahead is the small town of Hironori.

A beautiful beach along the Hamakaze road in Dai village.

The picture was taken at Hirono city hall. Behind the signboard are the car park and the city hall office building.

Destination Miyako 114km .Took this picture after a left Hirono city.

This is Tofuguara Park located on the coastline of Noda city. Tofuguara Park covers a pretty large area of the city along its coastline. It has small shelters, benches, and a few sculptures. An amazing breathtaking spot.

The rocky coastline of  Tamagawa in Nida city along route 45. I took this photo as I passed through Noda, heading toward Fudai city.

Heading out of  Fudai city I came onto Sanriku Railway Osawa Bridge. The view is so mesmerizing, it made me stop to take this photo. In the background are a small fishing harbor and steep cliffs 

After Fudai I cycled for 40 km and I reached the town of Ichinowateri. This signpost let me know this is Ichinowateri territory.

At Tanohata in Iwate prefecture, I climbed one of the longest slopes in my journal so far. At that time, the set was slowing setting as I made my way up.  Few places along the track I have to push my bike and walk. When I took this photo I was exhausted and wanted to take a rest.

After reaching the outskate of Tanohata town and stopping to take a breather I took this beautiful photo at the Shituiohashi Parking lot just before crossing the  Shii Bridge.

What a marvel of Japanese Engineering. The Shianzakao Bridge was built in 1995 to replace the old one. It is at least 120m  high and 105 m in length. It is one of Iwate's prefecture's main tourist attractions. I'm so glad to have visited this bridge.

Destination:  Miyako city 37km more to go. 300m ahead is the famous Unosu Cliff. I tried to cycle there but it was too far and I don't enough have time because it was getting dark.

On road to Miyako 

Route 45 is smaller than route 4 and runs from Hachinohe to Sendai through the eastern seaboard of Japan. Route 4 is the one I took to Hokkaido. There are fewer cars on route 45 and it passes through beautiful coastal towns, amazing mountains, and stunning ocean views. 

Along the way, I passed through many small villages and climbed many mountains. This route was much more difficult than route 4 because  I spend a lot of hours climbing the mountains. I was so tired. I have to walk up mountains. I tried to travel light, but my backpack and tool bag still added an extra 10kg onto my bike.

From Hachinohe to Miyako it took me almost 18 hours of cycling over a distance of 150km. I left Hachinohe at 7am and reached Miyako at around 12pm. I planned to find a camping ground for my overnight stay at Miyako but could not. So, after arriving there I just went to a park and set up my tent. People were walking around but I was so tired I just lay on the bench and soon fell asleep.

After passing through the small town of Omota. I stopped at this beautiful lookout along route 45 to relax my feet. By now my destination is less than 20km ahead.

6:45 pm the day finally coming to the end. I am now in Miyoka nearing my destination. I took this photo in a place called Taro. The setting sun was so beautiful as I cycled up the slope. It was a sight I will never forget.

I took the opportunity of the night to crash at Michi park. The park is located next to a harbor and away from the main city of Miyako.

4:58am at Michi park. The first sunlight of a new day of my cycling to my next destination Kesenuma City in Miyaki prefecture. The morning sunset was so beautiful I took a few minutes to observe it.

Short toturial On Using Wangalomofintec Online Lending.

Tutorial for Wangalomofintec Online Money Lending.

Thank you and welcome to a short tutorial on how to get a loan through Wangalomofintec online platform. This tutorial will walk you through the basics of using the WF online platform step by step.

Ok! great! let's begin!.

1. Search Wangalomofintec

1. Go to google or other search engines and type Wangalomofintec.com. You will be directed to the Wangalomofintec link.

                             

    2. Click the link to access Wangalomofintec home page.

2. Navigating through the WF webpage 

1. Once you are on the WF home page. You can navigate to other pages by clicking on the menu bar at the top of the WF home page. Each menu page is outlined clearly at the top of the WF webpage.
2. Click each menu and you will be directed to the page you prefer.

3. Signup page.

1. Click on the signup menu on the top and you will be directed to the signup page.

2. You will see a window prompting you to login. Please login as usual if you already have an account with Wangalomofintec

3. If you don't have an account yet. Click on the login window where it says, "Click here to register". You can see it at the bottom of your login window.

                     

4. Click the here button and you will be directed to the registration window. Please fill in all the required fields. 

Then click the button below the window to register. (Please note: if you don't have a proper address then write the name of your village, settlement, town, and street).

4. Payment page.

After successfully login in or registering. You will be directed to the payment page. On the payment page, you will be required to do the following;

1. At the top of the payment window. Click on the selected amount to select the amount you want to borrow.

    2. Click on the debit or credit card menu. You will be directed to the next window

 

         3. Please enter your credit card details, personal information, and address 

             in each of the fields, you see on your screen.

4. Click "Pay Now" and you are done.

4. Conclusion.

Thank you for taking you time to learn the basics of loaning money through the  Wangalomofintec online platform.

Ok! Let's put your knowledge to test.

Please click the link to make your loans.

https://www.wangalomofintech.com/home

Basic guide for post graduate studies in Japan.

The beauty of Japan.

                

If someone asked you; " What is your imagination of Japan?"

Well! you might say Japan is a very advanced society, a respectful society, a highly technological society. You might go on further to say; if I have the opportunity to go there, to live there, to study there it would be an amazing experience for me.

Yes! of course, Japan is a beautiful country. From its safe metropolitan to its stunning outdoors. From its exotic food and cultures to its global outreach. From its amazing manufacturing and economic powers to its leading innovative institutions. There is nothing this society can not beat.

I was lucky to experience all of these wonders of Japan when I was allowed to live and study in Japan by the Japanese Government's  Ministry of Education, Science and Technology under its MEXT Scholarship programs through its Embassy in Port Moresby.

1. MEXT Scholarship; Acquiring a scholarship among the best.

                   

MEXT scholarship is a prestige scholarship provided by the Japanese government through the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science, and Technology. MEXT scholarship is usually available every year and you can collect the application forms through the Japanese embassy.

In Papua New Guinea, the number of MEXT scholarships available is very small. Around 3 or 4 recipients can get the scholarship per year. The competition in securing  MEXT Scholarship is very competitive. You have to think smart and different from the rest of the applicants to be even shortlisted for the application process of MEXT.

I was lucky because when I applied for the MEXT scholarship I  have the experience of working with the United Nations Development Program, graduated with a degree and a post-graduate Honors degree, and had already written a full research proposal on my research topic.

But importantly I have very high-profile people who wrote my reference giving my application more weight to secure the scholarship.

Important note.

1. Write a research proposal on your topic
2. Have significant people write your reference for the scholarship
3. Have some good experience working with government or large organizations
4. Show enthusiasm and be positive toward the process.

Process of the MEXT Scholarship

1. The application forms- collect the application forms from the Japanese Embassy and fill them in. Attached relevant required document needed.
2. Exam- If you are shortlisted you will sit for the exams
3. Interview is done after passing the exam.
4.  If you are successful in your interview, you will be required to write to universities in Japan to secure a supervisor.
5. Finally, fix your official documents for the scholarship and prepare to travel to Japan.

2. Your first point of contact

Your supervisor is a very important person in your life while studying in Japan. He/she has huge power over your stay in Japan. Finding someone willing to help and communicate with you in any situation is very important. At the same time, it is also important to have a supervisor that is willing to provide guidelines in terms of advice, reading materials recommendations, and able to provide critical analysis of your research.

It is also important to do some evaluation on your supervisor as well.

• personality- strict or gentle.
• language- can he/she understand you and communicate with you in English or whatever your language is. 
• level of exposure to the international community- this helped transformed his views on a lot of things and be open-minded.
• character-kind, mean, angry
• personal views towards another group, ethnicity, culture, etc. You don't what someone with conflicting views supervising you. It will be a disaster for you

3. Figure out your supervisor.

              

Many international students in Japan always faced difficulties communicating with their Japanese supervisors. In my personal experienced if you want to avoid this, it is better to figure out your Supervisor and established an effective way of communicating with him/her. 

I did most of my communication through email and prepared well online proposals whenever I want to report to my supervisor on my progress or asked questions. I found my supervisor's turn to be more open and expressed his intentions clear when I put my views and questions in writing.

The important thing is to figure out what means of communication works between you and your supervisor. These could be through emails, messages, PowerPoint, and a face-to-face interview.

4. Life as a Research student.

As a student scholar, your life in a Japanese university begins as a research student whether you are a  Master's or a Ph.D. candidate. The research student period is usually 3 to 6 months. This is the period where you start researching your topic. You can attend your lab`s seminars while you are researching. Attending seminars is a great way to help build up your topic and understand how to conduct your research. During the seminars, your lab`s Master and Ph.D.  students are going to present their research. This is a great opportunity for you to learn from them and their research to determine yours.

This is also a good time to consult your supervisor on your research interest and topics. Get to know your supervisor and evaluate him/her based on their personality, communication style, values, and so on.

During my research student life,  I was not able to attend my lab's seminars and evaluated my supervisor well because  I  was got up in attending Japanese classes. Dunn! the Japanese classes were so terrible for me.

5. Admission to a full-time student

Full admission is when you are accepted into your post-graduate studies and received a full-time student status.

However, in Japanese Universities, you have to take an entrance exam, sit for an interview, and passed it to become a full-time student of a university. Once you become a full-time student this is when your master's or Ph.D. study starts.

The process starts with;

1. Doing the entrance exams 

2. Interview

3. Registration

The entrance exams are different for each school and its divisions. After you do the exam you will be scheduled to sit for the interview in front of all the lecturers at your school. This is a heartbeat moment so preparing well for your interview is important.

One important point to note. It is important to get approval from your supervisor. Because at this point, if your relationship with your supervisor does not go well he/she can do everything under his/her power to make you fail or be rejected by the university.

6. Determined your topic and stick to it.

One important thing to note is to choose your research topic early. I recommend choosing your topic during your research student period. You must have an idea or have already decided on your topic when beginning your first semester as a Master's or Ph.D. student. Having already decided on your research topic will help you to complete your paper with full satisfaction. The important thing is to stick to your topic until you've finished your analysis and have written your final paper. 

Remember it is very important to choose a topic on which your supervisor has a lot of background knowledge. In this way, he/she will be in a better position to help you. If you choose a topic that is a little out of his/her study and research area most supervisors will be a little skeptical about helping you.

I found myself in such a situation when I decided on my topic. My topic was seismic activities and landslides. My supervisor's experience area was in national parks. This created a distance between him and me to provide good advice and supervision. So, it is important to choose a topic that is related to your supervisor's research field and experiences.

If you follow all these. You will have enough time to satisfactorily do your analysis properly, carry out your research thoroughly, and will have more time to make improvements to your models and results if needed. You will also have a lot of time to write a very well, satisfying paper at the end of your postgraduate course.

7. Supervisor dilemma

This is based on my personal experience.

Most Japanese supervisors a very silent and difficult to talk to. The first time a got accepted as a full-time student my communication with my supervisor did not go well. 

Back home your superior would usually have posted Post-graduate student consultation schedules on their doors so you can visit and talk to them about your research but in Japan, it is difficult because such schedules are not available. So it makes things a little difficult for me to have regular conversations with my supervisor. 

I have to say, it is very disappointing for me. During my whole 2 years of the Master course, I talked to my supervisor maybe less than 10 times and our conversations lasted less than 5 minutes. It is very disappointing because I did my Master's course 75%  on my own without proper advice or guidance from my supervisor.

I really don't know who is at fault here. It is me having no confidence to talk to my supervisor or is it my supervisor having difficulties conversing with me regarding my research. 

Anywhere, among all these struggling circumstances  I found an effective means to communicate with my supervisor and that is through email.

My supervisor is a cool and collected person. He turns to understood and helped me much better when  I prepared all my questions, proposal, and thoughts through reports or proposals and writings. Quite a task for me but it worked because then his replies are always much better than when having face-to-face conversations with him.

8. Changing supervisor

               

Many students don't know that but you have the right to change your supervisor if you face discrimination from your supervisor. In this case, you can rise the issue with your school's admin and they can help you to seek a new supervisor. In the case of scholarship students. The scholarship caretaker at your school can help you to try and resolve the issue with your supervisor or help you find another supervisor.

Conclusion.

Thank you for reading this far. I know now have some idea of how to do your post-graduate studies in Japanese universities.