Inside the World of JICA Students (Part ⑩)

At JICA Tokyo, we regularly feature JICA Students. We will be sharing a series of interview articles by the JICA Niigata Desk’s International Cooperation Coordinator with students from a developing country.

Inteviewer: OYAMA Tatsuya (JICA Niigata desk)

アルバニアから第 1 号の JICA 留学生が来日しました！ ｜ 日本国内での取り組み - JICA
※Click here for the interview conducted when he first arrived in Japan!

We interviewed Arend, a student from Albania currently studying at the University of Tokyo.
Coming to Japan had long been his dream, and in particular, he had aspired to study at one of Tokyo’s top universities. He is now specializing in international relations, public policy, and governance, and is working hard every day in the University of Tokyo’s highly challenging academic environment, where excellence is expected. At the same time, he makes sure to keep a good balance between study and relaxation by taking short trips on weekends, enjoying a fulfilling student life.

Albania has undergone a significant historical transition and is now in an important phase of development. Arend’s research focuses on how foreign investment can contribute to the country’s growth and how governance, institutions, and everyday life for citizens evolve in the process.
Since Albania is still relatively unfamiliar to many people in Japan, Arend kindly introduced the appeal of his country. Roughly the size of Japan’s Shikoku region, the country has diverse natural environments—including areas with four distinct seasons, warm regions, and places with heavy snowfall. Since arriving in Japan, Arend has traveled around the country and has greatly enjoyed the rich natural landscapes that remind him of his homeland.


Living in Japan has been very fulfilling for him. He has grown fond of many kinds of Japanese food, such as sushi, ramen, and takoyaki. He also has a deep interest in Japanese anime and is familiar with many works. In addition, he enjoys Japanese history and art, and captures beautiful landscapes through his hobby of photography.
Although he is still learning Japanese and sometimes feels a language barrier, he says he is deeply impressed by the kindness, courtesy, and sense of order of the Japanese people, as well as the spirit of hospitality. These experiences make Japan feel like a very comfortable place to live.

After completing his master’s program, he is considering whether to contribute to his country’s development or pursuing a doctoral degree to engage in more advanced research. In the future, he hopes to play a role in Albania’s efforts toward EU membership. He also wishes to share Japan’s wonderful culture with more people and help strengthen ties between Japan and Albania.

I previously served in the JICA Overseas Cooperation Volunteers program in the Republic of Malawi in Africa. I have always been interested in various cultures around the world, particularly in Africa. However, I realized that I had very little familiarity with Albania. Through this interview, I learned from Arend about his home country—the regions where four seasons can be felt much like in Japan, the rich nature, and landscapes where ancient ruins coexist with the natural environment. I found myself deeply intrigued by the many highlights of Albania.
I was also able to experience Arend’s inquisitive and energetic personality. We had lively conversations not only about his research but also about Japanese food culture, history, and anime, which made the interview especially enjoyable. I am genuinely happy that he has such a strong interest in Japan, and the experience reminded us of the importance of staying curious about countries and cultures around the world.