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
Chankyu from South Korea
College of Global Liberal Arts (GLA), 2nd Year
Scholarships Received:
JASSO scholarship
Saionji memorial scholarship
Saionji memorial scholarship
Graduated High School:
Gwachen Foreign Language High School
Hobbies:
Watch movie
Skating
Interests:
Statistics
Programming
Why did you choose RU, GLA?
I decided to come to College of Global Liberal Arts at Ritsumeikan University when I was in the 3rd year of high school. Before then I have never thought about studying abroad. However, the reason I suddenly decided to study abroad was because I wanted to learn more about foreign countries and broaden the choices of my future carrier. By studying abroad, I could meet many people from other countries and learn about their culture. The main reason I chose the College of Global Liberal Arts program is because I thought it would be helpful for my future goal which is to become a statistician in an international company. In order to achieve this goal, I needed not only knowledge about statistics but also the understanding about other cultures. The College of Global Liberal Arts was the most appropriate program for me. In this program I could meet various people from different countries and broaden my way of thinking. Also, I could learn the basic of statistics as well as other useful subjects.
What do you like to do at your spare time?
Although I have to focus on my study since studying abroad is a special opportunity, I have some spare time when I can do things that I want to do. When I have these free times, I usually spend my time with friends who live in the same dorm. When I’m in the dorm, I usually play table tennis or pool with my friends. When I’m outside, there are many places to go since the center of Osaka is just a few stations away. I usually watch movies or go bowling with my friends.
Did you have any concerns before coming to Japan?
Before coming to Japan, I had concerns about how the Japanese might think of Koreans. Because the two countries are not in such a good relationship, I was worried if there might be someone who dislikes me just because I am Korean. I have studied in Osaka for one year, and have rarely felt discrimination and thought that there are not so many people who dislike foreign people or Koreans in Japan. Also, I thought that if I become more fluent in Japanese, I could develop a deeper relationship with them.
Outline of your course and studies(GLA)
The College of Global Liberal Arts is a duel degree program which allows students to study in both Ritsumeikan University and the Australia National University. By studying in these two universities, students are able to get the best education from both Japan and Australia. The main thing we learn in this course is about the history and the relation of the Asia Pacific Region. Also, as it is a liberal arts program, we can learn a variety of subjects such as culture, language, philosophy, statistics and so on. Since students can participate in both Ritsumeikan University and the Australian National University, we have an even wider option of courses.
What is your career plan and goal/dream after graduate RU?
My career plan after graduating from Ritsumeikan University is becoming a statistician of an international company. I became interested in statistics when I was in high school and thought that it was useful in today’s society. Also, I want to work in a global company which I think can provide me more choices of working conditions. To achieve my dream, I should try to understand other culture and study statistics not only in the university but also by myself.
How are the relationships with your supervisor and classmates?
I think most of the students have a good relationship with the professors in the course. Since currently the number of students is not so big, we can have a chance to easily communicate with the professors. Also, students can visit the professors in the designated time when they can not only ask about the subject but also talk about their school life or concerns. I once had concerns about the military service but solved this concern by talking with some of the professors. Also, I was able to make a good relationship with most of my classmates since most of them live in the same dorm. This makes us closer to one another and helps us spend more time together.
Can you describe your class choices for previous semester/next semester?
In my first year of university, there were not many classes I could select since most of the classes were compulsory for the first year students in GLA. However, in the second year there were much more elective subjects that I could choose. I selected the classes by looking at the syllabus and firstly choosing subjects I am interested in, and secondly choosing a subject that seemed more helpful for me in the future. By using this method, I could choose two subjects from about 15 elective subjects.
GLA is designed to study at the Australian National University(ANU).
What/how do you think this experience affects your life and career?
I think having a chance to study at ANU will have a significant effect in my life and future career. The dual degree program with the ANU is also one major reason I chose to enter GLA. By studying at ANU, I will be able to learn the culture of both Japan and Australia. By studying Asia-Pacific affairs at ANU, I will be able to get a deeper understanding of the Asia Pacific region and enhance what I learn at RU side. Also, because I am graduating from both RU and ANU, I believe I will be able to have a much broader choice of career.
Have you lived in a university dorm?
I am currently living in the OIC Global House (International dorm for GLA students) which is right next to the school campus. The room is a bit small, and we have to share the kitchen, but I felt there are two big benefits when living in the dorm. The first benefit is that the school is so close. Thanks to this, I was rarely late to class, and I could easily go to the school to study or come back to the dorm to rest. Also, another benefit is that I could get close to my classmates and learn about foreign culture. Most of my classmates are from foreign countries or have lived in a foreign country and most of them stay at the dorm. By living in this dorm, I could get much closer to them and learn about their country.
How is your life at RU, Japan?
One of my favorite spots in the campus is the GLA-lounge which is in the 5th floor of the campus. The floor has a different environment compared to other places in the campus. It is an open lounge with tables, tatamis, whiteboards and screens. I think the place is most appropriate for debates or small lectures. GLA-lounge gives me a feeling that I should study but also has a relaxing atmosphere and this is what makes it one of my favorite spots.
Have you had any difficulties when you started a new life here?
There were some difficulties I had to face when starting my new life in a new environment. There were two big difficulties and those were having to stay in a foreign country and having to stay in a dorm. Although I lived in Japan when I was little, I experienced many difficulties because I was living in a foreign country. The language was different, the culture was different, and the food was different. This made me stressed, but thanks to my friends and other people who helped me, I started to get used to the environment. Also, since it was my first time to live in the dorm, it was kind of stressful and difficult. Luckily, I met some good friends and could get used to the dorm life as well.
Do you regularly eat at canteen in the University?
The school cafeteria is one of the places most students will have their meal. I also used the school cafeteria a lot, and I think the taste is good and the price is reasonable. I also had 100 yen breakfast when I had first period classes and I think the cost-effectiveness is very good. I usually didn’t have breakfast, but after having 100 yen breakfast I think it helped me concentrate more on my study even in the morning.
What do you miss from Korea? How do you beat homesick?
When I’m in Japan, I sometimes miss my family, friends in Korea and the foods. At first, I didn’t feel homesick a lot but after I got a bit used to the life in Japan, I started to feel homesick. I still feel this but it has gotten much better. I think one way not to feel homesick is to just keep busy. Studying, playing with friends or doing outside activities relieved this feeling and helped me enjoy my campus life.
Message in English/Korean
I think many people will have concerns about studying in Japan and so did I. Before coming to Japan, I worried about many things including the non-native language, expensive tuition fee, uncomfortable social atmosphere, and so on. However, after studying in Japan for 1 year, I feel that most of these concerns are starting to get settled gradually. For Japanese, at first it was difficult but thanks to the well-organized Japanese classes and the school’s support for Japanese study I could speak Japanese more fluently than before. Also, for the expensive tuition fee, thanks to the in and out school scholarship I could ease some of the financial burden. Furthermore, I could find out that, except for some people, most Japanese had an open mind to Koreans. Studying in Japan has many benefits because we can experience new culture and meet various people, and I think this will definitely be of help in the future.
일본으로 유학 오는 것을 고민하는 분들이 많으실 거라고 생각하고 저 또한 유학 오기전까지 고민을 많이 했습니다. 저는 일본 오기전에 익숙하지 않은 언어, 비싼 학비, 불편한 사회 분위기 등에 대해서 걱정하고 일본 유학에 대해서 고민했습니다. 하지만 1년간 일본학교에 다니면서 이러한 걱정들이 점점 해결되어간다고 느꼈습니다. 일본어는 처음에는 생활하기에 조금 불편했지만 학교의 잘 짜여진 수업과 일본어 공부에 대한 지원 덕분에 점차 나아졌습니다. 비싼 학비는 교내외 장학금이 잘 갖취진 덕분에 어느정도 해결할 수 있었습니다. 그리고 한국인에 대한 일본의 사회 분위기는 제가 만난 일본인들을 통해 몇몇 사람들 이외에는 생각보다 개방적인 생각을 가지고 있다는 것을 알았습니다. 일본 유학은 새로운 환경을 경험하고 다양한 사람들을 만난다는 점에서 많은 장점이 있다고 생각하고 후에 분명 도움이 될 거라고 생각합니다.
