Japan-Palau Alumni Series: Vol.22- Ms. Froline Ann & Ms. Frolly Ann Bultedaob

Ms. Frolly Ann & Ms. Froline Ann Bultedaob, 48 years old, are twin sisters who both studied in Japan under the Japanese Government MEXT Scholarship. They are the daughters of Mr. Jonathan Masaharu “Sabo” Bultedaob and Mrs. Augusta Kubarii Bultedaob of Ngiwal and they have 2 brothers and 3 sisters.
 
Ms. Froline Ann was interested in culture and language, while her sister Ms. Frolly Ann was more interested in Japanese food and fashion. Because they both shared an interest in Japan, they decided to apply for the Japan Government Scholarship. Another reason for their decision to apply for the Japanese scholarship was because their father Mr. Masaharu is a “nikkei”, or second generation Japanese which also made them even more interested in learning about Japan. Ms. Frolly Ann studied in Japan from 1997 to 2000, and her sister Ms. Froline Ann went to study in Japan a year later from 1998 to 2001. They both graduated with diplomas in Office Administration from Nakano School of Business in Tokyo.
 
Both lived in a school dormitory while studying the Japanese language at Bunka Institute of Language in Tokyo for a year. Once they graduated, they started living together and began their specialized studies at Nakano School of Business. For them, being a student in Japan was a great experience. Even though they had some difficulties learning kanji characters, they managed their studies well with the help of their teacher who was very kind to them. They also had to practice speaking Japanese to their Japanese friend and Korean friend because Japanese was the only common language that they shared.
 
The twin sisters recalled the memorable experiences they had at festivals, musical events, and visiting famous tourist sites such as temples, Mt. Fuji, Disneyland and Odaiba. They both love the Japanese anime “Hello Kitty”. Their favorite Japanese food are sushi, tempura, beef curry, udon and ramen.
 
Ms. Frolly had the opportunity join a homestay with a Japanese family in Kawasaki city. During her stay, her Japanese family taught her how to play taiko. She was also taught kendo, because her Japanese family taught it at the time. Ms. Frolly said that she learned a lot while living with her Japanese family and that it was a cherished memory.
 
Since Ms. Frolly graduated a year earlier than her sister, she returned to Palau and after a few months returned to Japan so she could visit Ms. Froline who was still in school. She worked at the Embassy of Republic of Palau in Japan for six months as a volunteer until her sister graduated from Nakano School of Business.  
 
After returning from Japan, the twin sisters applied for the Australian Government scholarship, and both got accepted to pursue different fields of studies. Ms. Frolly studied Accounting and Commercial Loan in Melbourne for 3 years while her sister, Ms. Froline studied History, Politics, and International Relations in Sydney for 4 years.
 
Ms. Froline is currently working as an Administrative Officer III at Bureau of Land and Survey under the Ministry of Public Infrastructure, Industries and Commerce for 17 years. Her sister Ms. Frolly worked as a Junior Auditor at the Office of the Public Auditor from 2006 for four years before entering her current work as an Accountant at the Social Security Office for 12 years.
 
Both sisters are currently working towards getting their Master’s degree.