Japan-Palau Alumni Series: Vol.29- Ms.Stacy Uludong Ngiralmau

Ms. Stacy Uludong Ngiralmau is an alumna of the Japan Government MEXT Scholarship’s Research Program. She studied at Utsunomiya University in Tochigi Prefecture beginning in October 2004 and graduated in March 2007.
 
Ms. Ngiralmau`s primary education started at Airai Elementary school and continued on to Palau High School. She attended the University of Guam briefly before she moved to the United States to continue her college education. She attended the University of Missouri in Kansas City, then transferred to Midwestern State University and graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Sociology.
 
After graduating from Midwestern University, she moved to Palau and worked at the Ministry of Health as a Youth Social Worker. Her experience there made her more interested in youth mental health and how she could better support young people. Motivated by this, she applied for the MEXT scholarship and was accepted to Utsunomiya University in Tochigi Prefecture. Although she initially wanted to major in Sociology, the program wasn’t offered, so she chose International Studies and completed her Master’s degree in 2007. She applied for the MEXT scholarship not only to further her studies in youth mental health, but also because of Japan’s close relationship with Palau and its proximity.
 
As a research program student, she was not required to learn Japanese beyond the basic phrases needed for daily life. When Ms. Ngiralmau first arrived in Japan, she experienced significant culture shock. She mentioned that two of her senpai (upperclassmen), one Japanese and one Fijian, provided the support she needed during her first few months. She said, “Japan is where I met the most people from different countries around the world.” She made many friends during that time, and remains close with them to this day. Some have visited her in Palau, and she has also visited them in Japan, Europe, and other countries.
 
Ms. Ngiralmau made so many good memories while in Japan; she attended many concerts and festivals, climbed Mt. Fuji twice, went to hanami (cherry blossom viewing), visited shrines, temples, went skiing and experienced different aspects of Japanese culture. She misses the onsen (hot spring) and sento (public bath). She loves Japanese food saying they are all very good but her favorite is okonomiyaki from Hiroshima and sakura gyoza from Utsunomiya city.
 
She also worked part-time as a teacher at an English language school. After graduating from university, the school offered her a full-time position, which Ms. Ngiralmau accepted. She continued living in Japan and raising her son, Mr. Tmanges Ngiralmau, there until he turned four years old. Although many years have passed since they lived in Japan, her son remains fluent in Japanese, thanks to Ms. Ngiralmau enrolling him in Japanese language schools and classes. She continues to seek opportunities for her son to practice his language skills and hopes he will study in Japan in the future.
 
Living in Japan gave her both the convenience and opportunity to travel within the country and abroad. It also allowed her to raise her son in a structured environment, one that emphasized being organized, punctual, detail-oriented, and prepared. She believes this helped shape his character from a young age. She appreciated this lifestyle and remarked, “I felt that it really fit well with my personality.” Aside from missing her family in Palau, she loved her life in Japan and hardly noticed how quickly the time passed.
 
After returning to Palau in 2017, Ms. Ngiralmau worked as an adjunct instructor for Hospitality and Tourism at Palau Community College and at the same time she also worked for the Ngellil Nature Island Resort in Airai State for a few years. She decided to move to Saipan in 2020, where she currently works as a Community Health Outreach worker for the hospital. 
 
Ms. Ngiralmau has always encouraged Palauan students to apply for the Japanese government scholarship, both when she was in Palau and now in Saipan. She believes that, aside from what is learned in the classroom, it is a valuable life experience that teaches good work habits, ethics, and a sense of responsibility.
 
Ms. Ngiralmau’s hope is for Japan – Palau relations to continue to strengthen. With much instability around the world, good relations at the government level and cultural exchange through people-to-people interactions all play an important role in contributing to the peace and security of Palau.