Welcome to the Student Voice Series. The series interviews students in our English-medium programs. Once a month, the International Admissions Office releases an interview with our students. We hope these interviews can be helpful to you when thinking about choosing to come to Ritsumeikan University (RU).
Post by International Admissions Office
Se Rin from Korea
Why did you select RU and the CRPS Major?
When I was a middle school student, I had an opportunity to stay in the U.S. with my family for about a year. During that time, I was able to learn English and realized that I feel more comfortable in an international atmosphere. Based on this experience, I wanted to study abroad during my university life, but did not want to stay far away from my family. RU was a perfect choice since it provides English-based programs and RU is also located near Korea. In addition, I thought I could learn about new fields that I had never experienced since I was a science major student during high school.
Did you have any concerns before coming to Japan?
I had concerns about the language barrier because I couldn't speak any Japanese and was also not used to using kanji. I had a Japanese class during high school, but it only covered very basic Japanese. To have a stable life in Japan, I went to a private academy to learn Japanese right after getting accepted to the University. This helped me a lot when I came to Japan. Also, the University provided language support by introducing Japanese students who can help us do paperwork written in Japanese. I was afraid of using kanji, but the support from the University helped me to adjust well to Japan.
Find out more information about Student Support
Did you get help from your siblings to look for a university overseas? Whose advice impacted you the most to choose this university?
I'm the eldest child, so it was hard for me to get practical help from my siblings. But they gave me great moral support, which helped me when I looked for universities overseas. I think my dad's advice impacted me the most because he was the one who introduced me to RU. My dad knew that I wanted to study abroad in English, so he searched for English-based programs in Japan. He realized that RU has many international students and also provides diverse English-based programs in various fields. I believe his information about RU and advice about studying abroad in Japan affected me the most.
About your studies...
Give us an overview of your studies and course schedule from the 1st year to 4th year.
My studies in CRPS included urban planning, economics and environmental studies.
From the 1st to 3rd year, I took 20 to 24 credits per semester so that I could focus more on my graduation thesis when I became a 4th year student. I took Macroeconomics, Microeconomics, and Regional Economy and Development to learn about economics. Although my major is about policy, the economy is affecting policy directly and indirectly, and I thought it is important to know about the factors that affect policy to come up with good policy.
Since the environment became one of the important factors to consider when we make a policy, I took classes like Sustainable Urban Policy and Policy Science Special Lecture to learn about those issues and how can we reflect them in policy.
For my seminar, I joined a Policy Science seminar that is conducted in Japanese instead of the CRPS seminar, which is conducted in English. This is because I wanted to interact with Japanese students more and also wanted to know about the Japanese point of view regarding my thesis topic.
How are your relationships with your supervisor, classmates, and lab members?
My supervisor, Professor Kanegae, was in charge of the On-site Research Oregon Project and this was how I got to know him. He took care of students with interest and gave me useful advice when my team had to write a report after conducting research in Portland, Oregon. This aspect of the professor also had a lot of influence when I chose the seminar.
Even though the first semester of the seminar was conducted online due to COVID-19, we had an online gathering altogether to get to know each other. It was a fun and unique experience to have because it was the first time for me to talk about things that are not related to the seminar or class to the professor.
Furthermore, he gave me great support when I was applying to graduate school. He gave me advice on how to write a statement of purpose that can make me stand out, and also gave me mental support when I had anxiety during the process. Having a great relationship with my supervisor helped me a lot not only in my studies but also in my daily life in Japan.
When I was applying to universities, I wanted to study things that I had never experienced, but at the same time, I wanted my background (majoring in math and science during high school) to be useful. CRPS was the perfect match because this program includes environmental studies and economics, which require my background skills to understand better and learn about fields that I don't know about.
In addition, I wanted to understand better when I see news or newspaper articles that talk about government policy, since it is one of the major factors that affect my life.
My life before coming to RU was very limited, and I could say that I grew up over-sheltered. Living alone in Japan gave me many challenges, but at the same time it helped me to become independent. Working and studying at RU with people having different cultural backgrounds, points of view, languages, and ethnicity allowed me to broaden my perspective and be open-minded to new things.
Currently (at time of writing in July 2022 Se Rin was a 4th year student), I am working as an ES (Education Supporter) in one of the classes that I took. My job is to help students by supporting the professor, answering questions from students, and giving advice to students based on my previous experience. Furthermore, I enjoy my job of being an ES because I can meet new students, especially in the first and second years. Since I finished all of my credits to graduate, I don't have that many chances to meet freshmen.
My day usually starts with a loud alarm like everyone else. After getting ready for school, I take a train to JR Ibaraki Station because I don't live near campus.
Before taking the train, I always visit the dessert café with my friends. This dessert gives me the energy to keep up with the day :).
I take classes and eat lunch with friends at the PS lounge after arriving at school. I usually stay at school doing homework until 10 pm, which is the time when school closes. When school closes, I go back to my place and rest.
When I get spare time, I usually go to a café in Kitahama to relax and eat delicious desserts. Having time by myself helps me to look back and gives me the energy to go on again.
Also, since getting a Japanese driver's license, I like going for drives with my friends. There are many places with great night views near Osaka. We go for a night drive when we don't have anything the morning of the next day and enjoy the night view.
Photo from a café in Kitahama (北浜)
What is your career plan and goal/dream after graduating from RU?
For now (this was written in 2022), my plan after graduating from RU is to continue studying at graduate school. I got accepted to the Technology Management, Economics and Policy Program (TEMEP) at Seoul National University and the International Program in Public Economics at Kyushu University.
I decided to go to Seoul National University so that I can spend more time with my family since I missed them so much during the last 4 years when I had to leave them behind. In addition, based on what I have learned in Japan and RU, I will be able to grow further by learning about new fields and conducting research in Korea. In particular, the international thoughts and background experienced in RU will help me to proceed with my studies with an objective perspective.
Message in English/ Korean
Don't be afraid to take on a new challenge, and I hope you can move forward toward your dream.
새로운 도전을 망설이지 마시고 당당하게 자신의 꿈을 향해 나아가실 수 있길 바라겠습니다.
