I often struggle because there are many things on the list. It is fun once you get used to it. For the first six months, I slowly worked with my seniors. I spoke to the residents everyday and got to know each resident’s feelings and personality. Since then, my skills related to nursing care have been improved.

He had a trouble with his skin so it was better for me to shave him before applying the medicine.

I'm not forcing myself to perceive, but I involuntarily notice. What’s harder for me is planning ‘person-centered care.’ Each resident has different physical conditions and personalities. At first, I was occasionally told not to help them too much.

One time, I asked a resident if they wanted to change their pajamas and they answered “Kigaen.” I thought they said “Kigaeru,” so I continued helping them to change, however, they told me, “I said Kigaen.” I asked my senior what the problem was, then discovered, in Nagano dialect, ‘Kigaenai (not to change)’ is said as ‘Kigaen.’

When I don’t understand, I keep asking them over and over again. I say things like, “Please say that again,” “Please write on a paper,” “How do you say in other words?” and “I come from overseas so my Japanese is still not good enough. Please teach me.” Then the residents will teach me slowly and politely.

We use assistive devices to help transferring residents, such as ‘lifts’ and ‘slide boards.’ These assistive devices are not very common in Vietnam yet, so I would like to bring back such techniques.

Mr. Saito not only teaches me things we don't know, but always greets and asks me how I feel. Even if I say, “I'm good,” he keeps asking me if I really am.

In the session, I pointed out that Japanese people often say that it’s OK even if it’s not, and we repeat making the same mistakes without realizing it. So I asked them to correct us when we make mistakes.

Since then, my Japanese coworkers correct my mistakes. I also asked them to talk slowly so it is more comfortable to communicate with other workers than before.

I live with two other Vietnamese coworkers in an apartment which my company prepared for us. To my work place, it takes about ten minutes by bicycle.
I prepare all my meals by myself. I can also order food at my workplace but I bring my own lunch everyday. My roommates also cook for themselves. But when someone is at work and the other two have days off, they cook Vietnamese food and we have it together when we are all at home. One of my roommates is good at cooking, so my job is doing the dishes (laughs).
You can buy almost anything you need at a supermarket. When I need Vietnamese condiments or duck meat, which you can rarely buy at a local supermarket in Japan, I order them online. I don’t feel inconvenienced.
On my day off, I go to Matsumoto, the biggest town in Nagano, for shopping and walking around Matsumoto Castle. Now I'm more used to riding the train, it only takes about 15 minutes to Matsumoto.
I have many Vietnamese coworkers so I don’t feel lonely all the time.

The top thing on my list is to pass the JLPT (Japanese-Language Proficiency Test) N1. In two years time, I want to pass the national examination for Certified Care Worker. After obtaining the qualification, I'm hoping to teach nursing care in Vietnam. There are only few nursing homes for the elderly, even as the elderly population increases. So more nursing homes will be needed in the future in Vietnam.
For now, I feel that the residents are like my family. When I feel down, they sometimes cheer me up. Talking to them is so much fun that I sometimes forget my fatigue.