Welcome to the Student Voice series. The series interviews students in our English-medium programs. We hope these interviews can be helpful to you when thinking about choosing to come to Ritsumeikan University (RU).
Post by International Admissions Office
I believe that studying international relations at the American University - Ritsumeikan University Joint Degree Program (JDP) will help me see the world beyond prejudice and approach global issues from multiple perspectives—political, economic, psychological, and historical—while acknowledging cultural differences. My appreciation for diversity, shaped by my experiences in both Japan and New Zealand, is what draws me most to JDP. Moving from Tokyo to New Zealand at the age of ten opened my eyes to how creativity thrives when people from different backgrounds collaborate to solve problems. JDP offers students the chance to study in one of the world's most dynamic multicultural environments. I believe that spending time at American University in Washington D.C. would allow me to experience global politics up close while gaining both Western and non-Western perspectives. After years abroad, I also look forward to reconnecting with my Japanese roots while preparing for an international career. To me, this program marks the start of a new adventure, which is one that brings together my multicultural background and my dream of contributing to a more connected world.
1st Year (RU): Academic Skills 1, 2 & 3, Gender Studies, Sociology, Theories of International Relations, Kyoto and Japanese Arts, Japan and the West, Zemi, Macroeconomics, Introduction to United Nations, Economics for Global Studies, Introductory Seminar, Introduction to Peace Studies.
2nd Year (RU): Intercultural Communication, Security Studies, Culture Awareness and Communication, Comparative and Global Governance, Global Studies Research, Introduction to Anthropology, Japanese Culture, Race and Ethnicity in the Modern World.
2nd Year (AU): Critical Approach to Cinema, Mathematics Workshop, AU Experience, Writing 101, Business Ethics, IGen*, Chemistry of Cooking, AU Encounters, Society and Culture in Japan and the US, Intro to International Economics, Game Theory in International Relations, Critical Social Thoughts.
3rd Year (AU): Fashion / Beauty / Race Asian American, Creative Coding, Marketing and Business for Communication, Mass Incarceration: History and Future, African Political Thought, Sakura Scholar Zemi Research.
*IGen
This was a class I took in the first semester at AU. It focused on understanding the benefits and challenges of artificial intelligence. I found the lessons on misinformation and disinformation through AI particularly eye-opening. It helped me understand both the power and dangers of these new technologies.
Classes at AU usually consist of around 15 to 30 students. Instead of traditional lectures, they focus on discussion-based learning. Hearing different perspectives and personal experiences from classmates makes the material more relatable and easier to understand.
My favorite class has to be Theories of International Relations, taught by Professor Kobayashi, who makes the lectures both interesting and interactive. We explored the many different ways people interpret the current global political situation. Some see the world as a total disaster, even believing that another great world war is inevitable, and that violence can be a necessary part of shaping the world. Others reject this view and seek alternatives. While international relations as an academic discipline is fascinating, the most important takeaway for me was about perspectives. People must be aware that we all have biases that influence how we see society, and these biases affect our thoughts and actions.
This insight does not only apply to this class but it is something I have carried throughout my academic journey and daily life. Understanding that our views are shaped by personal biases is a crucial lesson for me before diving deeper into the study of international relations.
Having spent my teenage years in New Zealand, integrating back into the Japanese culture was a struggle for me. I had to brush up on my Japanese skills and come to terms with the fact that the life and culture here would not be the same as NZ. Although at that time I really struggled to find my footing, looking back, I now see this as a rare opportunity to be able to study and experience life in both Japan and America. It pushed me to engage more actively in life outside of campus and embrace new challenges.
Studying international relations in Washington D.C. feels like playing football in Brazil—there is simply no better place for it. D.C. is one of the world's political hubs, and the experiences and connections you gain here are invaluable. For example, I had the unforgettable opportunity to attend Kamala Harris’s last political rally and even spent the night downtown during Donald Trump’s inauguration. These unique moments only happen in D.C., and they truly deepen your understanding of what you learn in class.
On top of that, internships, networking, and a degree from two universities greatly widen the opportunities you can have in the future. For example, I worked as a Goodwill Ambassador for the National Cherry Blossom Festival, the largest Japanese festival in the US. Through this internship, I connected with other students in the area and built a valuable network.
Overall, my biggest achievement has been adapting both environments while making the most of my limited time at each. This experience taught me that stepping outside of your comfort zone is essential for personal growth and that navigating different cultures deepens not only your understanding of the world but also of yourself.
I am planning to work in Japan for two to three years after graduation, ideally at a large international company. Ultimately, I want to build a global career, whether that is in the US or elsewhere. Recently I haven developed an interest in consulting. What draws me to that is my strength and interest in connecting with and communicating effectively with people. I believe my international background and this degree have helped me hone these communication skills.
During my time in RU, I was learn about a wide range of subjects and interests. This flexibility allowed me to discover what I truly enjoy learning and doing. I highly recommend incoming students take full advantage of the variety of courses offered. The faculty members are incredibly engaged and knowledgeable, and hearing their perspectives and experiences inspired me to dig deeper into topics that sparked my curiosity.
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At RU, I am part of the volleyball and basketball circle called "Kreis", as well as the volunteering circle "Bloh". At AU, I am on the club soccer team and a proud member of the Greek life fraternity "Sigma Phi Epsilon (SigEp)".
Being part of SigEp has had a huge impact on my time at AU. I currently hold one of the leadership roles as Vice President of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) and Alumni Relations. Beyond the typical party reputation that fraternities have, SigEp offers meaningful and genuine connections both socially and professionally. I have had the chance to meet alumni from various professional fields over coffee and zoom chats. They are always eager to support undergraduate members in any way they can. Furthermore, serving on the Executive Board has also taught me valuable leadership skills, especially how to manage a diverse group group of people. Looking back, joining SigEp was one of the best decisions I made since coming to American University.
To elaborate more on my experience as the Goodwill Ambassador (GWA) for the National Cherry Blossom Festival, it was one of my proudest moments in Washington, DC. The festival lasts for two months and celebrates the special relationship between Jap, the US, and D.C., dating back to the gift of cherry blossom trees in 1912. During these months, the city and its surroundings are beautifully adorned in pink.
As a GWA, I acted as a cultural delegate, helping to raise awareness about the Japan-US relationship. This role gave me the chance to connect with local communities, businesses and visitors throughout D.C.. Being part of such a meaningful cultural event was immensely fulfilling and truly an honor. I highly recommend future JDP students to give it a try!!
I have lived in the dorms of both universities: Taishogun at RU and Leonard Hall at AU.
Unlike Taishogun, AU dorms often require sharing a room with a roommate. At first, I was not sure about this, but it turned out to be a really relaxing and fun experience. My former roommate Will and I often watched football games and played videos games together, which helped me feel at home quickly.
One of my senpais shard this valuable advice with me during the first semester at RU:
“When given two options, go for the one that is more fun, not the one that is easier.”
While academics are definitely important and should be your priority, it is equally essential to enjoy life outside the classroom. We only have about four more years until we set foot into the "real world", so make sure to get involved, whether it is part-time jobs, circles, or relationships. These experiences will become some of your greatest memories down the line.
That said, always remember to refocus on your studies when needed, because university academics shape your future career options. But whenever possible, do not take the easy route— choose the challenging but fun path instead!
Wishing everyone an amazing four years at university! I look forward to seeing some of you on campus!