Japan-Palau Alumni Series: Vol.26- Ms. Melan Jane Pedro

Ms. Melan Jane Pedro is an alumna of the Japanese Government (MEXT) Scholarship’s Specialized Training Program. She applied for the scholarship before graduating from Palau High School, and while waiting for the results, decided to enroll at the University of Guam. Just days before starting enrollment, she learned she had been accepted and promptly withdrew to pursue her studies in Japan. From October 1990 to March 1993, Ms. Pedro studied Japanese at Bunka Institute of Language in Tokyo, then continued with Secretarial Studies at Ehle College of Business in Osaka.
 
When we asked Ms. Pedro why she decided to study in Japan she happily shared with us about her family background. She was born to Ms. Angela Pedro and Mr. Mario Gulibert. However, she was raised by her maternal grandparents, who were fluent in Japanese. She also has Japanese ancestry on her father, Mr. Mario Gulibert's side. Ms. Pedro developed an interest in Japan, as she was exposed to both the language and the culture from a young age.
 
Being a foreign student in Japan was a lot of fun. Ms. Pedro visited cities and attended festivals near Osaka, such as Kyoto, Kobe, Nara, Nagoya, and many other places with her Japanese classmates.
 
Some of her most memorable experiences included visiting shrines and castles with her best friend, Ms. Satoko. Another highlight was attending the 1990 Flower EXPO held in Osaka, where she visited the Palau delegation's booth and watched a cultural performance. A Japanese friend who stayed in Nara once took her to visit the city and taught her how to pray at the shrines. Her favorite food was Japanese curry, which she described as “delicious and very different” from the curry in Palau. Ms. Pedro said that her favorite place to study would be at the park under the cherry blossom trees.
 
Coming from a small island, Ms. Pedro was surprised at the crowded trains and to see so many people.  She didn`t like the crowded trains during rush hour, so she made it a point to leave early to school before the trains got crowded. Being early to any function or an appointment became her habit and instilled in her time management skills. She said, “I am very thankful for the opportunity to study in Japan and to learn so many valuable lessons about life which has shaped me.”
 
After graduating from Ehle College of Business in Osaka, Japan, Ms. Pedro returned to Palau and began working at Palau Community College (PCC) as a part-time Japanese language instructor. She was later transferred to the Continuing Education Program at PCC. Although her father wanted her to continue her education in the United States, she chose to remain in Palau to care for her grandmother and continued working at PCC. In 1996, she joined the Palau Community Action Agency, while working there, she enrolled at PCC to study Early Childhood Education. She earned her Associate of Science (AS) degree and later pursued a Bachelor's degree in Education, through online studies with San Diego State University.
 
Ms. Pedro’s commitment to education did not stop with her bachelor's degree. She continued to take online courses and eventually earned a Master’s degree in Educational leadership. She was motivated by her passion for education as well as her interest in helping the Palauan community, especially the children. She continued to seek opportunities that would expand her knowledge and improve her professional skills.
 
Ms. Pedro currently works as a health manager at Palau Community Action Agency (PCAA) Head Start, she began her career there as a social worker, then dental coordinator, before taking on her current role, coordinating with schools and hospitals to ensure children receive proper physical checkups and developmental care. During the early 2010s, she became the Vice Principal of Palau High School, a role she applied for to gain experience working with older students. Her eight years at PHS were deeply rewarding and helped her understand the educational journey from early childhood to high school. She later served as Administrative Officer at the Bureau of Public Works, working closely with the Safety Office and gaining valuable insight into environmental matters. In July 2024, she returned to PCAA Headstart, driven by her ongoing interest in education and commitment to community service.
 
At the end of our interview, we asked Ms. Pedro for her thoughts on the diplomatic relationship between Palau and Japan. Reflecting on the past, she shared that part of her wish is that Palau had remained more closely connected to Japan. She explained that during Japan’s earlier influence, values such as respect and a strong sense of responsibility were deeply ingrained in the older generations of Palauan’s. From her point of view, these values seem less evident among the youth today. It is this contrast that deepens her appreciation for the cultural and societal impact Japan once had on Palau.