The Path I Found Through Entrance Exams

I always felt that life in junior high school, where I was constantly occupied with classes and exams, was not the right fit for me. I wanted an environment where I could learn more freely while valuing individuality. After graduating from junior high school, I moved to Okinawa on my own and enrolled in a high school located in the Yanbaru area, a UNESCO World Natural Heritage site. The school offered extensive environmental education, with many opportunities to observe and study nature outside the classroom.
Through close interactions with local people in Okinawa and a summer language study program in Canada, I was inspired to learn more about the world beyond what I had known. After graduating from high school, I enrolled in a university in the United States. However, I found it difficult to adjust to an environment centered largely around local students, and I also began to question studying without a clear sense of purpose. As a result, I decided to take a leave of absence from the university.

After returning to Japan, I went through a period of exploring different paths for my future. Driven by an interest in programming, I took the entrance examination for a peer-learning engineering training program. I also worked part-time and lived in an international share house in an effort to become financially independent from my parents, while searching for an environment where I could broaden my interests and perspectives.
I first learned about APU when I was in high school, and it was one of the institutions I considered alongside overseas universities. While living in the share house and taking time to reassess my future, I realized that I would struggle to balance both learning and daily life if I continued as I was. This led me to decide to return to university, expand my horizons through further study, and work toward independence.
Although I considered returning to my university in the United States, financial considerations prompted me to broaden my options to universities in Japan. As I explored these possibilities, I decided to apply to APU. In addition to its global learning environment with a large international student population, I was also attracted by the opportunity to study business, a field whose importance I had come to appreciate firsthand during my leave of absence.

Having taken a path that differed from those of many others, I chose Admissions by Activity Evaluation because I felt it was a selection method that would allow me to turn those differences into strengths. I also felt that it suited me well because it evaluates not only academic achievements but also a wide range of experiences in areas such as culture, the arts, and international activities. The three achievements I highlighted in my application were completing the UNITE Program (an AI-based mathematics learning program), passing a programming certification examination, and demonstrating English proficiency with an IELTS score of 6.5. My experience at an overseas university was primarily discussed in my Statement of Purpose.

As I did not have enough time to prepare for the English-language application process at first, I initially applied through the Japanese-basis admissions process. However, I was unsuccessful because my preparation was insufficient and I was unable to fully understand what the interviewers were looking for. After that, I decided to apply through the English-basis admissions process and devoted myself to intensive IELTS study, eventually achieving a score that met the requirements for activity-based evaluation. For interview preparation, I sought help from an instructor I knew. Following the advice to focus on and thoroughly reflect upon a single experience, I practiced extensively and rewrote my Statement of Purpose many times. When I was finally accepted on my second application through the English-basis admissions process, I was so happy that I could hardly contain my excitement.

As a backup plan in case I was not accepted through Admissions for Comprehensive Selection, I also prepared for the English-Proficiency Emphasis Method and the Standard Three-Subject Method under the General Selection process. During the application period, however, I felt as though this was my only chance. While many of my friends had already begun their university lives, I was determined to succeed and dedicated myself fully to preparation without distraction.

After taking a leave of absence from my university in the United States, my daily life offered limited opportunities to meet new people, and I found that I had to actively seek out communities on my own. Since enrolling at APU, however, opportunities to connect with others seem to be everywhere. In fact, there are so many that it can be difficult to decide which ones to pursue. I feel truly grateful to finally be in the learning environment I had always wanted.
Through the experience of exploring many different paths while feeling uncertain about my future, I learned the importance of committing myself fully to one thing and pursuing it in depth. By taking the time to gain a deeper understanding, I believe it becomes possible to appreciate the true value and fascination of a subject, which in turn helps reveal what I genuinely want to do. At university, I hope to dedicate myself to my studies and use what I learn to build my future.
I also found myself reflecting on the environmental studies classes I took in high school, which inspired me to join PosPos, a student organization that promotes composting activities. I am looking forward to contributing to these activities and making the most of the experience.

I took a leave of absence from a university overseas, spent time working part-time while exploring my options, and ultimately enrolled at APU, a university in Japan. Looking only at the outcome, some people might say that I should have chosen APU from the beginning. However, I believe that the experiences I had along the way were incredibly valuable, and most importantly, I am fully satisfied with the choices I made. To everyone preparing for university entrance examinations, I hope you will choose a path that you can truly believe in and be confident about.