Student Voice:[CRPS] How CRPS challenges me yet opens my eyes to the world

Written by International Admissions Office | Nov 30, 2021 3:00:00 PM

Welcome to the Student Voice Series. The series interviews students at our English-medium programs. Once a month, the International Admission Office will release an interview with our students. We hope these interviews can be helpful to you when thinking about choosing to come to Ritsumeikan University.

Post by International Admissions Office

Amon from Japan/China

College of Policy Science, Community and Regional Policy Studies(CRPS) Major, 3rd year

Graduated High School:

Shanghai High School International Division

Hobbies:

Dancing
Cooking
Eating and trying all kinds of foods

Why did you choose RU, CRPS major?

Ritsumeikan University is one of the first university to be recognized under the new education system and now has one of the largest international student bodies in western Japan. Further, the university offers numerous invaluable overseas study opportunities to its students, such us exchange programs and dual degree programs.
In CRPS, I can study problem-oriented disciplines, which means I can really stick to the problem itself, and study every kind of fields and try to figure out the best way to solve the issue.

Through CRPS, I get to learn more about my interest - sustainable urban policies. I also discovered my interest in other topics, such as information and communication technology. I think it would not have happened if the degree program is more restrictive. CRPS’s multidisciplinary approach gives you a space to develop your interests further while also learning new things, which is a program structure that I very much appreciate.

Did you have any concerns before coming to Japan?

I was a little worried about whether I would be able to get along with Japanese people because I did not really have a chance to make Japanese friends in Shanghai.

However, when I came to Japan, all people here were very nice and kind, so my concern was totally unnecessary. I could make my very first friend on campus in 3 days!

What made you think about looking for a university in Japan?

I think it is important for knowing the Japanese culture and its history, because I am Japanese, yet I found myself barely knowledgeable about Japan. I think it’s the best way to understand Japan and Japanese people through education in university in Japan.

Outline of your course and studies

I have 2 to 4 classes per day. Except the foundational courses, I have chosen social welfare, modern policies and governance, Japanese history and government, etc. The small class size encourages students to interact with each other. Overall, I think the College helps me develop a more complete understanding of the world we live in.

What pushed you towards Policy Science?

I stayed in one of the remotest area of Tibet as a volunteer for two months at the age of 12. Everything I saw there was shocking to me; there were no water and electricity service nor public facilities, and many orphans were scavenging for leftovers. I had never seen such a sight before and couldn’t imagine myself living in such a rural place. Shanghai, where I lived, has a huge poor-and-rich disparity compared with Tibet. Initially, I was afraid to face this serious condition, but as I meet local people in Tibet, I thought that I should not turn my eyes off this problem.
Then I decided to study politics, so that I can be really involved to help people in such situations.

One essential part of learning about Policy Science is On-site Research Project,

in which students go out and investigate actual sites where problems are occurring.

Tell us about your class choice!

Last semester, I took Global Business, which is taught by an African American professor who speaks fluent Japanese. In the class, we had done research about a specific company and its background, making an analysis to give a presentation about whether it should enter the international market or not.

Check the curriculum in the CRPS Major!

How is your life at RU?

I very much enjoy my time at RU. The classes at CRPS are challenging, and they bring me thoughts and awareness. CRPS is not a big community, and the relationship within the community is very well, including supervisors. Whenever I need help or advice, there are always some professors and advisers I can talk to.

Aside of my campus life, I enjoy Japanese delicacies. I like to go to different cafés and trying new foods. I created my YouTube channels of cooking Chinese food to let more people know about Chinese culture since I have grown up in China. Also, at the same time, I work part-time as a private interpreter for Chinese.

Message in English/Chinese/Japanese

Don’t be afraid to change, take the challenges and go for it. Stay hungry stay foolish!

不要害怕失败，勇往直前！
做你自己，你永远是最棒的！

勉強する事は楽しいです、勉強できる事は幸運です。周りへの感謝を忘れず、どんどん苦手だった事も、した事ない事も挑戦し、自分の生きる道の選択肢を広げて、自分の大学生活は誰よりも充実で後悔がなかったと胸張って言える大学生活にしてほしいです！

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