Discovering What You Love in a Multicultural Environment
APU Student Portfolios
PROFILE
Saki Maeda
*Interview conducted in January 2026.
After Studying Abroad and Seeking a New Path, I Started Over in Japan. Every Experience and Challenge at APU, Where Students Are Encouraged to Pursue New Opportunities, Has Become a Foundation for My Future.
JOURNEY
The Journey to Discovering What I Love
- JH/HS Excelled in Mathematics and Biology
- Post-HS Two Years of Study Abroad in the Czech Republic and a Period of Reflection on My Future
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Enter
APU Entered APU to Study Accounting and Finance -
APU
Year 1 Deeply Impacted by MCW (Multicultural Cooperative Workshop) -
APU
Year 2 Exchange Study in the UK and Discovering Professor Tomoyuki Ozawa’s Accounting Course -
APU
Year 3 Developed an Interest in Stocks Through a Seminar Focused on Financial Risk Management -
APU
Year 4 Began Exploring Diversified Investing and Finance in Greater Depth
What were you like in high school?
I attended a high school known for its disciplined academic environment and was a member of the basketball team, continuing the sport I had played since junior high school. Originally more inclined toward the sciences, I particularly enjoyed and excelled in mathematics and biology. After graduating from high school, I studied abroad in the Czech Republic for two years and attended medical school, which was my goal at the time.
What made you decide to enroll at APU?
While studying abroad, I began to question my future career path and decided to return to Japan to pursue a completely different field of study. Wanting to further improve my English skills and believing that, if I were to start over, I should build on my strengths, I chose APU’s College of International Management, where I could study accounting and other quantitative disciplines. Another reason was my long-standing connection to Kyushu. Since my parents are originally from the region and I had often visited there as a child, I had always hoped to live there at least once in my life.
How did you find learning at APU different?
While studying abroad, most of my classes were focused on a specific field of study. At APU, however, I was pleasantly surprised by the freedom to take courses based on my interests rather than being confined to a single discipline. I was glad to discover that there are many different ways to learn and to broaden my perspective rather than limiting it.
What was the most memorable class you took after enrolling at APU?
One of the most memorable experiences was taking the required first-year course, MCW (Multicultural Cooperative Workshop), where I worked in a group with international students for the first time. I was impressed by the opportunity to engage in discussions with people from different countries and cultural backgrounds so soon after entering university. Through this experience, I came to realize the importance of identifying each person's strengths and weaknesses and assigning roles accordingly to make the most of everyone's abilities.
What challenges did you take on during your time at APU?
During the second semester of my sophomore year, I spent six months in the UK as an exchange student. I chose to study there because I wanted to experience life in an English-speaking country and attend a university with recognized business accreditation. One of the most valuable experiences was working on a business proposal for an actual company, which gave me practical insights into the business world. I also took marketing courses to strengthen my communication skills, and gaining knowledge in a field outside my major proved to be both rewarding and enlightening.
What classes did you enjoy most, and which learning experiences had the greatest impact on you?
In Professor Tomoyuki Ozawa’s Accounting course, there were many opportunities for students to engage in discussions, which helped me develop the ability to explain my ideas with clear reasoning. In Professor Toshitsugu Otake’s seminar, I was given the freedom to pursue topics that genuinely interested me, and when I found myself overthinking my graduation thesis topic, he kindly helped guide me in the right direction. Through the seminar’s focus on financial risk management, I deepened my understanding of finance and developed a strong interest in stocks and their role in shaping investment outcomes.
What did you write your graduation thesis on?
When I first began working on my graduation thesis, I intended to focus on diversified investing and finance. My final thesis topic became “The Impact of Stock Ownership Objectives on Investment Performance.” I examined how asset growth differs between stocks purchased primarily for shareholder benefits and those held for dividend income without shareholder benefit programs. Among the top reasons Japanese investors purchase stocks are dividend income, long-term asset management, and shareholder benefits. In particular, shareholder benefit programs are a distinctive feature of the Japanese market, and my interest in this unique aspect ultimately inspired me to choose the topic.
How do you reflect on your four years at APU?
In the spring of my sophomore year, I joined a program called SECOND, an intensive challenge in which student teams traveled overseas to conduct surveys and interviews. Since approaching strangers in a foreign country takes a great deal of courage, I initially hesitated to participate. However, a friend encouraged me by saying, “You should definitely go for it,” which gave me the push I needed. One of the things I love most about APU is that no matter what challenge you decide to take on, there are always people around you who support and encourage you.
What are your plans after graduation, and what are your goals for the future?
I will be joining a management consulting firm, where I will work in the field of accounting and finance. Drawing on the ability to understand others and the multifaceted perspective I developed at APU, I hope to approach challenges from my clients’ point of view and contribute to effective problem-solving.
Do you have a message for prospective students?
I entered university a few years later than many of my peers, but at APU, where students come from a wide variety of regions and countries, everyone treated me as an equal. No matter your background, everyone starts from the same place. In addition, APU has a peer tutoring system where senior students support junior students. I also worked as a mathematics tutor, and it is a resource that students can easily take advantage of. So, don’t hesitate to step into a new world with confidence.