What made you decide to enroll at APU?

I felt that I needed to continue studying English, and if I was going to attend university, I wanted a place where I could learn something beyond English. APU was well suited to what I was looking for.

What were your initial impressions of university life?

In high school, I mainly studied to earn good grades. At university, however, I felt that learning was about exploring the fields that truly interested me while thinking about my future goals and career path. What surprised me about APU was that so many students already had dreams and ambitions when they entered the university. Many of them had a clear vision of what they wanted to do and become, which left a strong impression on me.

How did your interests and areas of focus change or expand after entering APU?

The issues of poverty and the environment in developed countries, which first caught my interest during my study abroad experience in the United States in high school, were key factors in my choice of university. However, as I took a wide range of courses at APU, my perspective broadened, and my interests gradually shifted toward development studies, a field dedicated to finding solutions to global challenges from a wider perspective.

What has been the most memorable class you have taken so far?

In the latter half of my second year, I took Professor Rikio Kimura's “Development Sociology and Anthropology”* course, and it was there that I first encountered the concept of development studies. Although I found it challenging, I was also fascinated by it, and I realized that I had found a field I wanted to explore in greater depth.

What new insights did you gain during your time at university?

In Toho Village, I witnessed firsthand the positive changes that various learning opportunities could bring to children. For example, I saw a child who had struggled with English grow more confident after interacting with APU’s international students, saying, “I want to speak more” and “I want to study more.” Seeing that kind of growth inspired and motivated me as well.
My seminar advisor, Professor Rikio Kimura*, spent ten years in Cambodia working on community development before joining APU. Observing his approach taught me the importance of supporting communities from the same perspective as local residents and working together to improve the region.
I was also a member of Habitat APU, a student organization that focuses on housing issues in underserved communities. Through the organization, I participated in a volunteer project to build houses in Cambodia. These experiences taught me that support is not about “helping others” from the outside, but about getting to know one another, working together, and building relationships based on mutual understanding.

What are your plans after graduation, and what are your goals for the future?

I will be joining a company involved in adult education and regional revitalization. Although the company is headquartered in Tokyo, many of its projects are based in Kyushu, and I look forward to the opportunity to live in a place I have never lived before. Even as a working professional, I want to keep challenging myself, continue learning, and embrace new opportunities without limiting myself to a fixed path.

Do you have a message for prospective students?

The five years I spent as a university student, including my leave of absence, truly passed in the blink of an eye. Looking back, there are certainly things I wish I had done more of during my first and second years. My advice is to discover your interests and passions early on, and then continue to pursue them more deeply as you progress through your third and fourth years. Finding joy in learning and expanding your knowledge are both important parts of university life.
When I first entered APU, President Deguchi Osamu often emphasized the importance of three things: travel, people, and books. I, too, have always valued these three things. I hope you will keep them in mind and enjoy a meaningful and fulfilling university experience.

* Under the 2023 curriculum, this seminar is part of the College of Sustainability and Tourism.