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(RU).
Post by International Admissions Office
Devira from Indonesia
College of International Relations,
Global Studies Major(GS)
Graduated High School:
MAN Insan Cendekia Serpong
Received Scholarship:
100% Tuition Reduction
+R Challenge Scholarship
Hobbies:
Experiencing new things
Meeting new people
Doing outdoor activities
Why did you choose RU, GS?
When I was a senior in high school, I participated in several Model United Nations (MUNs) and international conferences. From this point, I started to seek a path for my passions. When I realized that I want to major in International Relations, I started looking for universities that offer the best International Relations (IR) courses. My teacher then introduced me to Ritsumeikan University, where a notable graduate from my school enrolled in the GS Major. The classes, activities, partner universities, and lecturers were appealing to me, thus, I submitted my application to RU.
Did you have any concerns before coming to Japan?
Yes, I had many doubts, and at some point, I thought to withdraw from my plan and just study at a reputable college in my country. However, I repeatedly reminded myself that this is what I had chosen for my life. The thought of living abroad where I couldn’t even speak the national language fluently really scared me. But it turned out to be not as scary as I thought it would be. All the people that I met there had welcomed me with such delight. At this point, I could call them my second family as we spent so much time together. I would never think that my life in Japan would be easy until I met them.
Outline of your course and studies
During my first year, I took a few courses offered for GS students, mostly foundation courses or introduction courses to IR. I took lessons from all three focus studies of GS, which are economics, politics, and social. But starting in my second year, I began to see which focus study I would choose. Some of the courses that I took in my first year were Macroeconomics, Sociology, And IR theories. While during my second year, I took more specific courses of study, such as the Liberal Arts Seminar: Sustainability Class, Area Studies: East Asia and the Pacific, and Media in World Politics. This is to give prospective students a view of what we are studying at RU.
I have not fully decided yet on what to specialize in within the IR study, however, courses offered by Ritsumeikan University have respectively broadened my knowledge in different areas of the study. I have a quite big ambition, which is pursuing my master's degree at a top university in the US or the UK. I believe that delving deeper into my university classes would push me towards my goal. During my study at Ritsumeikan University, I also plan to apply for United Nations Internships. But this is a broader scheme of my plans, thus, I should put more effort to attain this goal.
I have not fully decided yet on what to specialize in within the IR study, however, courses offered by Ritsumeikan University have respectively broadened my knowledge in different areas of the study. I have a quite big ambition, which is pursuing my master's degree at a top university in the US or the UK. I believe that delving deeper into my university classes would push me towards my goal. During my study at Ritsumeikan University, I also plan to apply for United Nations Internships. But this is a broader scheme of my plans, thus, I should put more effort to attain this goal.Check the curriculum at Global Studies Major(GS)
RU encourages international exchange, do you think you will consider going on exchange?
This is also one of the reasons why I chose to study at Ritsumeikan University. I acknowledge that Ritsumeikan University has various partner universities around the world. One of them is the University of Edinburgh, Scotland, UK. The University of Edinburgh is a prominent university for IR studies. Therefore, hopefully, in my third year (when it’s safe to travel), I will start my exchange program at the University of Edinburgh. For that reason, I highly encourage freshers and prospective students to begin planning a study abroad program when entering RU.
Have you lived in a university dorm? Do you cook often?
Yes, I live in one of the International Student Dormitory, International House Taishogun. I am so grateful that RU offered a ‘ladies only’ floor to make a hijabi like me much more comfortable living in the dorm. There are different activities inside the dorm, such as welcoming party, Halloween party, Christmas dinner, etc. If you live in the dorm, we also have Resident Mentors (usually Japanese and senior RU students). They mostly arrange the events in the dorm and help the dorm manager with any technical matters. The RMs at Taishogun are very friendly and help you settle in a new environment, especially for a freshman.
I often cook any kind of meal at the dorm, just because I love cooking. But, I usually cook some Indonesian courses (whenever I miss my country) and simple Japanese foods. Those cooking ingredients can be easily found at shops around the dorm as Taishogun is located at a very convenient place. However, for me to find any halal ingredients is a bit of a challenge. The only Muslim-friendly groceries that I could find around the area are at Gyomu Supa, around 10 minutes from the dorm, and sell food supplies at a relatively cheap price.
I often cook any kind of meal at the dorm, just because I love cooking. But, I usually cook some Indonesian courses (whenever I miss my country) and simple Japanese foods. Those cooking ingredients can be easily found at shops around the dorm as Taishogun is located at a very convenient place. However, for me to find any halal ingredients is a bit of a challenge. The only Muslim-friendly groceries that I could find around the area are at Gyomu Supa, around 10 minutes from the dorm, and sell food supplies at a relatively cheap price.
Check GS student's vlog about dorm life at Taishogun
How is your life at RU, Japan? Do you do a part-time job, circle activities or any other activities within RU or outside RU?
Yes, I do some part-time jobs and am part of some organizations in-and-out of campus. I once taught English to Japanese kids (playing with kids and teaching English was a perfect escape plan) and served as a barista at an Indonesian festival in Osaka. Inside RU, I participate in the International Student Ambassadors (ISA), i-START (Indonesian Student Association at Ritsumeikan University), a member of Oritors of Fall 2020, and I recently applied to be part of the BBP Project Team. Beyond Borders Plaza(BBP) is the RU global commons focusing on International Exchange and Learning Language. From outside of campus, I managed to be a Coordinator of the Arts and Culture Division in the Indonesian Student Association of Kyoto-Shiga (PPI Kyoto-Shiga). We organize events like performing traditional Indonesian dances at a Japanese temple, Yukata Festival, and an academic conference. I chose to actively participate in such organizations to fill my free time by networking with lots of people, staying productive, and a short escape from stressful study.
I also had a chance to visit Asia Week at Osaka Ibaraki Campus, and it was super fun! When I was a first-year, there was a school festival at Kyoto Kinugasa Campus where our seniors (Oritors) and us (juniors/Orikkos) were selling churros together. Also, around winter break, we had time to go for a trip to Hakone and visited various places there (very unforgettable!!)
Peer Support is one of the great features of RU.
Visit Student Success Program page to lean more.
Message in English/Bahasa Indonesia
Prepare your study, don't worry too much just do your best, we're ready to welcome you!
Persiapkan aplikasi pendaftarannya dengan matang, pastikan tidak ada kesalahan administrasi atau teknis, persiapkan juga mental (for the exhilarating experiences at RU ;). Terakhir, mahasiswa Indonesia di RU siap untuk menyambut mahasiswa baru dari Indonesia dengan tangan terbuka
