I left home for Japan on 23rd, August 2003 and had to wait for a long hour at Thai Airport where I transferred. I already became to feel lonely. I arrived at Narita in the very early morning of the next day. After that, we were given one-week orientations and took part in opening ceremony on September 1st.

From September 2nd, we started our Japanese language class. It was an intensive three-month course. I am always interested in language because it is not only for different languages but also for different culture. But when I started to learn Japanese, the things I felt good were teachers. They were so kind and careful for our feelings. They tried to improve our language skills. Because of their kind behavior, I felt happy always in the class. But after the class, I felt alone and everyday when I came back to my room, I cried for my family. I had severe homesick. But the days passed somehow and my Japanese improved.

We started our individual training from December and my training started from Fukushima CIL. It was very interesting for me. I learnt many things from this center. I saw snow falling there first time in my life. When I saw snow falling, I was very excited. The next day I saw a beautiful white city covered with snow. Because of cold I became sick and went to hospital three times in two weeks. It was the first time in my life to go to hospital such frequently. In addition, my both legs were burnt from hitter because of my carelessness.

During the training at Fukushima CIL, I lived in a room of the IL center but I could not go to toilet by myself. It was very painful for me because nobody tried to understand my difficulties. I lived independently in my country. I had no experience of taking help from others, but family members. I don’t like to take help from others inside my house. But I had to use attendants there. Although it was very painful situation, I enjoyed there. All of them related to this center were very kind and friendly.

Actually I could not eat Japanese food while my stay in Japan. CIL’s rooms were good for cooking food. But all IL centers had same problems for me and I always worried about my kidney because after coming Japan I suffered for infections that I never had before. I also went to Higashiyamato, Kodaira, Hachioji and Bunkiyo IL centers. I learnt about peer counseling, social welfare system, accessibility, IL programs. I visited schools for disabled children, disabled people’s houses where severe disabled persons live independently and institutions for person with disabilities run by government.

I had one month individual training at DPI-Japan and had opportunities to read a large number of books. For example I found an interesting book, which is written by Tom Rickert. The title of the book was “Mobility for All” that is related for making barrier free society by creating accessible environment on mobility. Though I had already read this book in my country, I could not realize its importance, as I was not familiar with barrier free or accessible environment. Because there is no barrier free environment in Bangladesh. But when I came to Japan I got benefit from it as I could go to every place without any difficulties.

It was a great time when I participated in the meeting of Ministry of Labor and the Democratic Party of Japan with DPI members. We talked about the UN-Convention that focuses on human rights of persons with disabilities.

During my stay at DPI office, the secretary of DPI-Japan, Mr. Misawa gave his precious time. He helped me learn many things for becoming a successful leader in the field of disability.

I learnt Daisy for 21 days at the Information Center of JSRPD. It was very interesting and important. I think if I want to be a good leader I should know about all sector of disability issues. In Bangladesh we have many problems at technical side that is why we disabled people have no scope to develop our computer skill. But Daisy covers all disabled people’s needs. I know it very helpful for learning about different kinds of disabled people. But because of Japanese language I could not learn it clearly. I hope in future Daisy will come in my own language for helping to learn disabled people in Bangladesh.

• Knowing of disabled people’s happy life is most important experience for me. When we are struggling with our rights as a human, Japanese disabled people are passing life in a happy way because of their previous hard experience. Well designed footpath, accessible building, institution, shopping center, social welfare service, personal attendant system and other opportunity to make disabled people life smooth and happy like other citizen.
• I cannot forget “ski experience” as it was very interesting but my physical condition created me many barriers.
• My home stay was good. I had opportunity to observe a disabled couple’s easy and happy life very closely. During my home stay, they were really trying to make me happy.
• I had one day interesting driving class just for an experience how to drive.

I visited different parts of Tokyo city and out of Tokyo for sightseeing. It was not enough for my expectation but it was good experience for me to enjoy. I learnt many things from Japanese society. Japanese barrier free society taught me to think positively for not only disabled people, but for all. Station staff, elderly people and some young people were very supportive for disabled people.

But people’s behavior always made me unhappy with much surprise, although it is Japanese culture. Personally I did not expect such behavior and culture, which was not so good in terms of human relationship. So I was really shocked by the behavior of Japanese people as they were very easy to change and it was very difficult to understand their feelings.

I think that it is important training for young leaders of developing countries of Asia. It’s a great opportunity for leaders of different countries to meet each other, enhance leadership skill, understand disability issue and know different countries’ situations and also a great opportunity to make networking. But this training system is not good enough for utilizing the time appropriately. The organizer should understand our language problem and should be careful about our living without family in abroad.

Despite of all of my painful experiences I would like to thank to DUSKIN and JSRPD for giving such an opportunity for me to be here in Japan for nearly one year. I also want to request them to think to make this training more suitable, fruitful, easy and important. Once again, I would like to thank you all for your kind and sincere support and valuable time to make this training successful one.