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
Clara from Indonesia
College of Global Liberal Arts(GLA), 2nd year
Why did you choose RU, GLA?
At first, I was not sure what I wanted to study after I finished high school. However, there were two goals that I was sure of. My first goal is that I wanted to study abroad. Second, I wanted to be at the utmost prepared to face the world after finishing my studies. It was perfect for me to choose Ritsumeikan's Global Liberal Arts program to fulfill my goals.
Facing the 21st century where our world progresses very fast, I feel a need to understand all aspects of the world, be it the sciences, social sciences, and the arts. But most importantly, I wanted to be someone with the ability to learn all sorts of things on my own. I strive to be an independent thinker making my way in this era with a critical mind, even after I finish wit university. This ability is especially crucial as we now face the age with plentiful new information. I trust that studying in Ritsumeikan's Global Liberal Arts will develop me to become that person.
Check our past session's recordings to register!
How did you find out about RU, this program?
I actually found out and learn about this program in depth from one of GLA's professor himself. During my last year of high school, I got a call from my teacher to the principle's office. I wasn't usually the type of student to be called to the principles office, so I was quite confused about why I was called. To my surprise, there was a guest from one of GLA's faculty members, professor Eugene Choi. I got to know about Ritsumeikan's new program GLA and had a pleasant chat with him. to be honest, after that small session, I was hooked. I just made up my mind to be a part of the program.
Did you have any concerns before coming to Japan?
Yes, I did! Because this was my first experience studying abroad and with an international range of students, I had quite a few concerns. I was nervous during the last week before departing for Japan. I was worried about being in a new environment. I had experienced
moving to new schools; however, it would be in a different country with many people worldwide. And second, I am worried about my first experience of living alone was going to abroad. But after spending the first week there on the campus, my concerns are gone. I get to meet with many amazing new friends that made my first studying abroad experience absolutely fun.
Outline of your course and studies
Learn more about GLA Curriculum
What is your career plan after graduate RU?
GLA is designed to study at the Australian National University(ANU).
How do you think this experience affects your life and career?
I think this dual degree program will impact massively in my life. This program offers me the experience of studying in Japan and also Australia. Aside from experiencing two different new cultures, we can make a lot of new friends. I will have a significant and diverse network of friends worldwide. Also, graduating with two degrees from Ritsumeikan and Australian National University will open me a broader spectrum of opportunities for me in the future.
How are the relationship with your supervisor and classmates?
The GLA community is not that big, so I had the chance to be friends with everyone. It is exciting to have many friends from different countries. They were the ones that made my first-year experience at university incredible. As most of us are there living alone, we made a bond like our second family. Not only do we spend time studying together and play, but they are also there for you even when you are sick. One of our friends got ill, so some GLA students came to her room and nursed her to health. It is genuinely astonishing to have these kinds of caring friends with me while I study abroad.
Relationships between the students and faculty here in GLA is also excellent. Because of the class size here in GLA is small, the professors can know the student individually. They are concerned with their student's studies and guides us throughout the semester. I think this relationship between faculty members and students is one of the things that makes GLA special.
Can you describe your class choices for next semester?
My next semester, the 4th semester, will be a brand new experience. Me and my GLA peers in my year, if according to plan, will all be moving to Australia and study at the Australian National University (ANU) for a whole year. There we will be taking full ANU courses from the Coral Bell School of Asia Pacific Affairs. I think it will feel like I'm going to be a new undergraduate student for the second time since I have to adapt to a new school and meet new people.
Learn about the Coral Bell School of Asia Pacific Affairs
Do you do live in a university dorm?
Yes, before the COVID-19 pandemic, I lived in the Global house that is located in the OIC campus. Since almost all of the GLA students lived there, it felt like we lived in a house together. Living in the dormitory together heightened my experience in GLA. I get to be much closer with my friends in a very short time there because we can meet each other every day. We have fun together, relieve our stress together, basically just hang out. They helped me in adjusting myself to Japan when I first came.
Check out this YouTube Video! GLA students walk you through G-House.
Is your life easy in Japan?
I wouldn't say its easy. There are some things that I could handle with the help of my phone, such as looking for directions or which train I should be taking. However, when it's a situation that needs me to read or speak Japanese, it will be hard. Coming to Japan, I had no Japanese skills, so I started to learn from the bottom. Currently, when I have to face these types of challenging situations, fortunately, I have a friend that could help me. But nowadays, I'm trying my best, so I can be independent.
What do you cook often?
Do you get ingredients easily for your country's dish here?
I usually cook together with my friends in the dorm. We would cook in a large batch then have a feast together. I don't have a special recipe, but I like to look online for recipes that my friends and I enjoy.
Many ingredients for Indonesian cuisine are hard to find here—the first one Indonesian chili sauce. As an Indonesian, we love eating spicy food, so basically, our chili sauce is a must bring. The second one is bawang goreng or fried shallots. Indonesian use it as toppings in most of our food here. I put the fried shallots in a container, so some of my friends thought it was cereal. Lastly is a lot of ready to use sachet ingredients. Indonesian food uses numerous ingredients and takes a long time to process; it would be easier to bring the packed ones.
Message in English/Bahasa Indonesia
Studying abroad must have looked scary at first. You maybe have a lot of doubts and concerns. However, once you are there and experiencing it, all of those doubts will be gone.
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