Welcome to the Student Voice Series. The series interviews students in our English-medium programs. Once a month, the International Admissions Office will release an interview with our students and alumni. We hope these interviews can be helpful to you when thinking about choosing to come to Ritsumeikan University.
Post by International Admissions Office
Graduated from the College of Policy Science, Community and Regional Policy Studies(CRPS) Major, class of 2021
When I applied to the Community and Regional Policy Studies (CRPS) program in the College of Policy Science, Ritsumeikan University five years ago (I started my application in 2016), I was mainly intrigued by the program's Sustainable Urban Policy Courses. At that time, I thought that studying applicable and effective policies related to urban planning and sustainability could be my way of solving my hometown's (Jakarta, Indonesia) old-age urban planning issues. I was mainly interested in Jakarta's annual flooding issues and the city's lack of functional and exciting urban parks. Those were the topics that I brought up in my admissions essays, alongside my hope that studying in CRPS would further help me understand these issues.
After graduating, I can say that choosing CRPS might be one of the best decisions I have made thus far, not only because I got to learn more about what I wrote in my admissions essay, but because I gained so much more knowledge beyond what I expected. I knew more about myself and what I wanted to do with my life (career-wise) because of my time in Japan and CRPS.
After reading my previous answer, you might expect my graduation thesis to be related to urban planning and sustainability, but it was not. The four years that I went through in CRPS gave me plenty of chances to learn, unlearn, and relearn about the things and issues around me. Little did I know that the course's interdisciplinary approach led me to my newfound interest in the intersection of technology and public policy, primarily when related to the digital economy and social media. This newfound interest became the 'background' of my graduation thesis.
My graduation thesis explored Jakarta citizens' perception of the local and national government of Indonesia (GoI) 's crisis communication strategy during the first six months of the COVID-19 pandemic. I started this project at almost the same time as the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020. I noticed that there were (and still are, sadly) a lot of misinformation and hoaxes circulating about the pandemic, especially those happening online (fun fact: they have a word for it: infodemic, which means 'information epidemic') and on the internet platforms commonly accessed by Indonesians. I saw how the infodemic impacted a significant demographic group in Indonesia, leading to confusion, anxiety, and distrust in the government. This concern then fuels my curiosity to find out how the GoI strategizes their crisis communication protocol effectively by finding out what has worked, what has not worked, and what should be done by the government based on the citizens' perspective.
Miranda's thesis was chosen as CRPS outstanding thesis in 2021
I relocated to Jakarta, Indonesia, in October 2021 and recently went through the job-hunting process. I was interested in policy research and advisory positions in think tanks and research organizations, preferably those related to development economics, technology policy, or issues regarding sustainable and inclusive economics and technology (I know, such a broad and diverse set of interests). Next January 2022, I will be starting my new job as a research associate in a poverty alleviation research center in Jakarta. I am excited about this opportunity and intrigued to see where it will lead me.
Eventually, I want to continue my education to the post-graduate level. I'm dreaming of getting two Master's degrees, one of which would be a Master in Public Policy from top universities in the US, UK, or Southeast Asia. I am not sure yet whether I want to pursue a Ph.D., but I am open to it should the opportunity arise. I dream of working in an international development partner organization such as the World Bank, ADB, Gates Foundation, and similar organizations. I hope to advise and inform policy recommendations to partner governments based on rigorous research and evidence.
Aside from the eye-opening classes, conversations, and opportunities that I had with my friends in RU, my best memory would be the travel opportunities I got. Before the pandemic, I had a chance to conduct field research with my friends in Bangkok, Thailand, which was part of the CRPS curriculum. I loved and learned so much from the experience that I signed up as an ES (Educational Supporter) for the class and went back to Bangkok as a project assistant the following year.
I also traveled to other regions in Japan with my classmates, both for class and during our university breaks. I went to Tokushima, Kyoto, Shiga, Kobe, Shirakawa-go, Takayama, Tokyo, and Ehime. These trips were memorable because not only did we get to travel, but we also got to learn deeper about the areas that we visited. For example, during my trip to Ehime, my classmates and I stayed in a rural village where the average citizen was around 60 years old. I remember them being so excited to meet young people, especially non-Japanese ones! That trip was one of my most unforgettable experiences.
"First find out what you are capable of, then decide who you are." Tara Westover, in her memoir, Educated.
That sentence pretty much represents the four years that I spent in CRPS. Being a part of CRPS and living independently in Japan gave me a fantastic opportunity to learn, relearn, and unlearn about the world around me. Before CRPS, I never knew that I could survive speaking pseudo-Japanese in Japan and thrive in a foreign country, and now I always think of Ibaraki as one of the places I proudly call home. The years I spent there also made me know myself better because it made me know deeper what I am interested in, what I am truly capable of, the causes that I care about, and the people I love to spend my time and energy with. The years I spent in Japan truly made me realize the things that I am capable of, the person I wish to be, and the skills that I need to learn and maintain to be the kind of person I want to be. I hope that your experience here will be as memorable as mine, too.
On a less serious note, don't forget to have fun and travel while you're here. Don't forget that you're young; you're in such a beautiful country with a very (very) reliable public transportation system; explore! Remember that the learning process does not always occur in the classrooms; you learn through your adventures, too. You will not regret it.
(PS: The part about learning through adventures and explorations is one thing that I am also telling myself constantly).
Menjadi mahasiswa di luar negeri memberikan aku pelajaran dan pengalaman yang sangat berharga. Di dalam prosesnya, aku dipaksa dan mengharuskan diriku untuk keluar dari zona nyaman melalui pengalaman-pengalaman yang canggung, melewati kesalahan demi kesalahan, beradaptasi dan menerima perubahan dengan cepat, dan harus belajar untuk mencari rasa nyaman di tengah ketidaknyamanan. Waktu dilewati mungkin rasanya tidak enak, tapi tidak apa-apa, ini semua adalah usaha kamu untuk belajar menjadi manusia yang lebih baik setiap harinya. Nantinya juga beberapa pengalaman canggung kamu bakal jadi bahan ketawa juga, kok (spoken from experience!)
Oh, dan apabila kamu rindu dengan Indonesia selama kamu berada di sini, tenang saja. Orang-orang Indonesia di sini sangat mengerti perasaan itu dan bersedia untuk membantu kamu, selama kamu memperbolehkan mereka.
Eventually, you'll be okay if you allow yourself to be.
Check Miranda's student voice in her 4th year more!
Miranda also wrote more about her hobby to overcome homesickness in the Student Blog.