LAWRENCE DIBLASIO
Human Resource Management
University of Hawai'i at Mānoa
Shidler College of Business
Thank You
Mr. Graeman
Freeman
I am humbled & honored to be a prestigious Freeman Scholar. Studying Human Resource Management at Shidler College of Business. I will be attending Waseda University in Tokyo Japan for the Fall semester of 2019. My hobbies includes snowboarding, bicycling, hiking, movies and music. I look forward to seeing the mountain tops of Japan. Visiting some monasteries where I can learn first hand from buddhist monks about the rich history and culture of Japan.
Pre-Departure
September 10, 2019
Tomorrow I Leave to Study at Waseda University in Japan. I am leaving from Hawaii after spending the summer with my family in New York. After receiving my C.E.O. from the M.I.X. program I proceeded to the Japanese Consult in New York City to obtain my Visa. The Process was an extremely pleasant, easy and quick. The office was on Park Avenue. The security officers guided me quickly through screening and sent me to the correct window to process my paperwork. The staff was wonderful and only took a few minutes to submit. They held my passport for less then a week and the great surprise it was FREE. They even had a signed New York Yankee baseball Jersey from Hideki Matsui framed on the wall.
After searching for flights for a couple days I found a one way direct flight on Hawaiian airlines to HND airport in Toyko. The price was good so I purchased the ticket about 6 weeks in advance of departure date. I entered a mentor program that Waseda University offered for students who study aboard. They supplied lots of great information which will help guide me in my travels throughout Japan. I also have some contacts when I arrive at the University which is comforting to say the least. Having met fellow UH students through the M.I.X. program also helped build my network in Japan. I am arriving a couple days prior to orientation to have time to settle in and adjust to the time difference. I plan on working part-time while I study. I'm excited to work in a foreign country to learn about Japanese culture, food and film. I look forward to attending museums and musical festivals. I would love to attend the summer Olympics in Tokyo 2020.
Arrival in Tokyo
September 25, 2019
This last two weeks have been magical. I highly recommend flying Hawaii airlines to Japan. Since this was my first time traveling to Japan I was a little nervous but the second I arrived at Daniel K. Inouye international airport the local Hawaiian airlines attendants put all my worries at ease. They took my luggage, printed my boarding pass and sent me off with the true aloha spirit. I literally was the only person walking through TSA for this early morning flight.
Upon arrival at Haneda International airport in Tokyo I woke up from my well needed rest on the plane. I picked up my luggage with ease and went over to exchange a small amount of currency in the terminal. Close by I purchased a SIM card for my phone and I was ready. Having minimal Japanese language skills was not an issue since everyone was so kind and helpful. I used the google translate app. and went over to the information booth in order to purchase a bus pass to my destination.
I was blessed to be one of the residents of Shunpu-so. Honjo International Scholarship Foundation remodeled the former prime minister's home to create a pleasant and enriched dormitory life for its scholars. Built in traditional Japanese style the name Shunpu-so means "Be kind to others like a spring breeze, and discipline yourself as autumn frost".
Thanks to the true spirit of the Freeman Foundation along with the hard work and dedication of Rikki Mitsunaga I am set up for a successful semester at Waseda University in Tokyo, Japan.
Classes start tomorrow, which is very exciting. I also will like to start adding some great photos along with quick videos of the city and campus. I have met so many wonderful people from around the world already. May this adventure of knowledge and peaceful society continue to flourish.
Waseda University
October 9
Three Weekly Phases
Registration Process
The first three weeks of class you have an opportunity to register for your selected classes. I attended two weeks of class before I was officially registered. If the classes are over populated it becomes a lottery system randomly chosen by the computer. Registration is complex with many rules and regulations. I recommend seeking out a Waseda advisor to assist you in the process each week.
Multiple Options
Semester System
Depending on which course you register for the semester could be a quarter, semi annual or annual calendar year. The system is very specific and only lets you register during specific times and then it is closed for the rest of the week. I recommend seeking out an advisor to assist.
Intercultural Communication Center (ICC)
Campus Life
I highly recommend attending as many events and workshops they have for international students. ICC employees are students from around the world that have gone through the process and are a tremendous resource to assist you at Waseda University. They even have excellent coffee and snacks in their lounge.
Tokyo Universe
TOKYO PHOTOS
Describe your image
The Cold is finally coming. I have not been in a full winter season since 1996. The chilled air going through your lungs feels amazing and of course wakes you up immediately in the mornings. I remember the joys of preparing winter outfits to bundle up before leaving the house to walk to school while the snow was falling in New York City. I recently discovered hot milk tea, which I have in the mornings to warm up from the inside out.
I take the Sakura tram system from my dorm to school every morning. The bell rings at each stop which reminds to look out the windows of the tram. The views of the city with all people are inspiring. The Tokyo subway system has wonderful energy and is full of shopping malls creating this cool underground world. New York really needs to up their subway game. I cannot stop eating, the food here is heavenly. Even the mini marts on the corner have the best pastries, fresh, rich and delicious.
October 24, 2019
My classes have been getting better as everyone warms up to each other. Learning from a different country is highly recommended. The idealism opens the world to you personally and creates more opportunities for career growth.
November 6, 2019
Arigato Freeman Family
This Chapter of international knowledge in my life has been giving to me by the kindness and generosity of this wonderful family.
ENVISION
Do you want a career ?
ENVISION YOUR BEST LIFE
Do you want to live to your full potential ?
TAKE FEAR OUT OF YOUR LIFE
Do you want to create wealth ?
DEFINE WEALTH IN YOUR LIFE
Then Dream so big
that it makes you laugh out loud.
Go deep within yourself to find true happiness.
Believing IN YOURSELF
is the first step to SUCCESS.
IDENTIFY the meaning of success
to YOU and ONLY you.
ACTION
WRITE DOWN YOUR ENVISION
RESEARCH THE CAREER YOU CHOOSE.
WRITE A DETAILED PLAN OF ACTION.
WRITE DOWN SPECIFIC STEPS THAT NEED TO BE ACCOMPLISHED IN ORDER TO REACH YOUR GOALS.
FIND A MENTOR THAT YOU RESPECT AND ADMIRE.
ENJOY THE JOURNEY !
ACCOUNTABILITY.........
NEVER QUIT.........
LIVE A LIFE WITH NO EXCUSES.
This Picture Makes me laugh out loud.
November 20,2019
MID-TERM/FINALS WEEK
I have been keeping busy with my studies at Waseda University. Half of my classes are on the quarter system and the other half are on the trimester system. I'm so cool that over these last two weeks I have had mid-terms and finals.
I enjoy adjusting to the basic things in life such as the 24 hour clock system also known as military time. The temperature is measured in Celsius not Fahrenheit. Miles are measured in kilometers. In some ways I'm back in elementary school, especially when it comes to my Japanese language class. Two syllabic scripts which are Hiragana and Katakana and borrowed Chinese system called Kanji.
Life has been challenging me in a positive light and I appreciate the tradition mind frame of the Japanese culture. Locals respect all the elders in the community with a helping hand and a sense of concern at all times. There is almost no crime, which is refreshing and should be taught in all societies and cultures. Honesty and integrity are a consistent theme with all of the people I have met at the University. Tokyo loves to smile at night with the lots of light decorations and Halloween costumes all over the city, just like Hawaii.
OYASUMINASAI
おやすみなさい
December 4, 2019
TWO FINALS IN THE BANK
I finished two courses last week with the perfect "A" grade, immediatly after I started two new courses I have been looking forward to attending. One is Advanced Entrepreneurship with many international guest speakers and the other is Adaptation of Japanese Literature into screen plays. As I write my thoughts to this page, I think of Mr. Freeman and his two sons I met at the University before I left for Tokyo. I am curious about his journey from humble beginnings in Massachusetts to A.I.G. in China.
I would love to learn more about him from his sons. Paying homage is important to me. Creating a screen play on his life and legacy would be a True Gift To This World, so let the story begin.
December 18, 2019
The pure joy of the tradition family unit cruising through Tokyo brings happiness to my heart. The kids in their space capsules with the mother, father or a grandparent piloting the electric bicycle through the silent city streets. The cold rainy weather doesn't stop this family from coming to campus.
All Videos
The biking community in Tokyo is ELECTRIC.
For a big city, there is ample bike lots on campus. I purchased a used bike from a cute little bike store for thirty dollars. The kind senior shop owner even registered the bike at no additional charge. The bicycle paths along the water ways and rivers are so visually beautiful and peaceful. Hearing only birds chirping and the families laughing in the play grounds brings warmth to my soul. The cold breeze on my face feels invigorating. I reminisce of my childhood, riding my BMX bike through the snow covered streets of Brooklyn in the dead of winter. The only time it is quiet in New York City ! LOL
1.1.2020
HAPPY & HEALTHY NEW YEAR
Never in a million years would I believe I would be in Tokyo, Japan for the year 2020. That is what makes life so beautiful. The journey has been paved with many unexpected turns, no matter how much I tried to plan the future. Realizing every single human gets kicked down at one point in their life helps you decide how to rise again to create joy for yourself and the world around you. To bring hope to the hopeless. To inspire the greatness in everyone. International Education has been one of the greatest gifts in my life.
New Years Eve Fox Parade
Oji Shrine.
I was honored and privileged to be Jolly old St. Nick for the holiday party this year. Being part of an international peaceful society is the way to ring in the new year.
Final Thoughts
Waseda University
Tokyo, Japan Feb. 7, 2020
I finished my finals and the semester is officially over. I will be sad to go, having met so many wonderful people from around the world. They have taught me a unique perspective that I would have never known. I truly feel blessed by this experience in life. I enhanced my international knowledge and fulfilled so many goals. I made it to set and worked on a show.