2024年3月まで JICA北海道（帯広）の長期研修員として帯広畜産大学に留学していたモザンビークのサンボさんからのメッセージが届きました！
We have received a message from Mr. Sambo, a Mozambique ex-participant of JICA KCCP (long-term training program) who had studied at Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine until March 2024. (The original English text follows Japanese one.)

　私はJICAの奨学金（アフリカの若者のための産業人材育成イニシアティブ）を得て、2021年11月に東京へ到着しました。ちょうど新型コロナウイルス感染症の流行期のため2週間の隔離期間が必要となり、心配と孤独を感じました。その中「Shopstick」を活用し動画を通して学びを深めたほか、JICA帯広に到着した際は、氷点下の寒さの中、温かく迎えてくださった皆さんに心地よさと笑顔を取り戻すことができました。日本の冬に慣れるのは大変でしたが、雪の美しさには心を奪われました。
　私は帯広畜産大学修士課程の環境微生物学研究室に所属し、昆虫病原性菌類などの微生物によるトウモロコシの害虫の生物学的防除について研究しました。この調査で、私は母国におけるトウモロコシ栽培生産の有益なデータを収集することができました。この研究の重要性から、私はさらに同大学で博士課程に進学し、3年間研究を続けることにしました。モザンビークの農業生産性向上に役立つ豊富な学術的知識を得て帰国したいと考えています。
日本滞在中は、JICAが主催するさまざまな活動に参加し、日本の数多くの場所を訪れ、社会的・文化的な学習を体験することができました。帯広での時間は素晴らしい冒険と発見に満ちており、食の多様性にも驚かされました。友人も多くできたほか、冬にはスキーも体験し大好きなスポーツになりました。

　最後に、日本で勉強する機会を与えてくださったJICAと、私を学生として受け入れ、研究を遂行するために必要なあらゆる支援をしてくださった帯広畜産大学に感謝を申し上げます。
そして大学同期の皆さん、日本滞在中に支えてくださった皆さん、本当にありがとうございました。

My name is Elcidio Eugenio Sambo, and I was born in Mozambique's Inhambane province. I arrived in Japan in 2021 as a JICA participant in the 8th batch of the Initiative for Industrial Human Resource Development Initiative (ABE Initiative). I landed in Tokyo on the evening of November 26, right when the Omicron variant of the Corona Virus was on the rise.

My quarantine period was characterized with worry and loneliness. But, in the midst of it all, one of the most unforgettable experiences was learning to operate the "Shopstick". Without interaction with the outer world, I watched a lot of instructive videos on the internet and made significant progress in just two weeks.

However, I was constantly supported by JICA. When I arrived to JICA Obihiro, I felt the warmth and comfort of the welcome, even though the weather was below zero degrees Celsius. My smile was reborn. It was tough to adjust to the Japan’s winter, but I was amazed by the beauty of the snowfall when I arrived in Obihiro.

In my own country, I work in agriculture as a field technician, and my aim is to assist farmers boost their productivity by teaching them about sustainable technical production. I came to Japan with the aim of looking for sustainable solutions to control pests and diseases that negatively affect the production of maize, one of the main food crops in my country.

I joined the Environmental Microbiology laboratory at Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, where I did research on the biological control of maize pests by microorganisms such as entomopathogenic fungi. During my investigation, I was able to gather positive data that served as an outline for a promising new stage of growing production in my home country. But, because research is so vital, I opted to continue my studies at the same university for another three years, with the intention of returning to my country with a wealth of academic knowledge to help enhance agricultural productivity in the family sector.

During my stay in Japan, I was able to participate in various JICA-sponsored activities, which allowed me to visit numerous attractions in Japan and experience social and cultural learning.

My time in Obihiro was filled with wonderful adventures and discoveries. I experienced spectacular moments where the gastronomic diversity wowed me.
I gained many Japanese friends and got the opportunity to experience one of the most popular sports in Obihiro during the winter snowy season, ''Ski. It was an unforgettable experience, and it quickly became my favorite sport.

Finally, I'd want to thank JICA for giving me the chance to study in Japan. To Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine for admitting me as a student and providing me with all of the necessary resources to carry out my study.

To all of my university classmates and everyone that support me during my stay in Obihiro.
Arigato Gozaimashita!