Student Voice: [GS] My college time is going to end, it is time to review

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. 

Post by International Admissions Office

Ha Linh from Vietnam

Did you have any concerns before coming to Japan?

Before coming to Japan, I had no worries about finances or food like some may have, but I was worried about my Japanese at that time. Even though I had time studying Japanese in my home country, I knew that it would be another level when I have to actually live in the society that uses this language.
However, due to my decision to get a part-time job, my language skills have improved significantly.

All RU campuses are in Kansai (Kyoto, Osaka, Shiga). How did this affect your choice to come to this area, out of all the other areas of Japan?

I wanted to spend my 4 years in Kyoto because this city has a quiet, peaceful vibe with four beautiful seasons. Moreover, as I was interested in the Kansai dialect. I came to this area to be exposed to a dialect that is different from what I learned in textbooks.

 

 

Kimono wander around Gion 

 

 

Outline your course and studies. Give us an overview of your studies and course schedule from the 1st year to now. 

My major focuses on international affairs and developing critical thinking for students. In the 1st year, courses are mainly about basic knowledge about academic writing, and an introduction to common international affairs. In the 2nd year, students are allowed to participate in global stimulation gaming in order to deepen their knowledge about negotiating and working in international organizations. From the 3rd year, students choose their main field to dig into to start thinking about their thesis. In the 4th year, students develop and finish a graduation thesis.

Check her Student Voice from her sophomore year about dorm life.

  

 

Can you describe your class choices for the previous semester/current semester?

I think it is optimal to know what you want to do in university and in the future after graduation. For example, since I knew that I would look for jobs in Japan and I would be busy preparing for job hunting in my 3rd and 4th years, it would be necessary to finish most of the credits in the 1st and 2nd years. Therefore, in my first 2 years, I registered for the maximum number of credits to make time for internships, job-hunting, and my graduation thesis in 3rd and 4th years.

 

Yellow ginkgo leaves in Nara Photo

 

 

If there are any differences between a university in your home country and RU, what are they?

The biggest differences between RU and universities in my home country is the diversity and opportunities to develop both English and Japanese at the same time. In RU and the GS Major, I get many chances to talk with students from all around the world, as well as native Japanese students. Through such interaction, I get to learn about different cultures while embracing my own originality. Moreover, in RU and Japan in general, I am able to practice speaking Japanese with natives.

 

 

 

How is your life at RU in Japan? Do you do a part-time job, circle activities, or any other activities within or outside RU?

I spend time working part-time, and participating in the BBP (Student organization) and ISA (International Student Ambassadors) after class. In GS Major classes, there are not many opportunities to meet and talk to Japanese students, so I have tried to create such experiences for myself at my part-time job workplace and student organizations.

 

 

Cherry blossom spot in RU Photo

 

Have you used any student services at Ritsumeikan? (The medical center/career center/accommodation service and so on) If yes, please tell us what and how they were.

Recently, I have been using services at the career center for job-hunting activities. Career center services include entry sheet brush-up, interview practice, company introduction events, etc. For international students who want to find a job in Japan like me, using career center services is a must.

 

What do you like to do in your spare time?

In my spare time, I usually cook and take videos of my cooking process and post them on Instagram. If you are curious, my Instagram is @linhgetslean, if you are looking for "cool" healthy recipes, please follow me!

 

What is your career plan and goal / dream after graduating from RU?

After graduating from RU, I plan to work in Japan. At the moment, I am preparing for job-hunting and I want to work in the IT or advertising industry.

 

Message in English and in Vietnamese

College years are the last steps before we enter our 'real' adulthood and work in companies, so make your 4 years full of blasts, make a lot of friends, go to a lot of places, learn new things, and do not forget to think about how you want to become in the future.

Khoảng thời gian 4 năm đại học là những bước gần nhất tới cuộc sống độc lập như một người lớn, đi làm và cống hiến, vì vậy mong rằng các em sẽ tận hưởng những ngày tháng ở đại học, gặp nhiều bạn mới, đi tới thật nhiều nơi, học nhiều thứ và đừng quên nghĩ về mục tiêu tương lai của mình.

 Find out more her voice in her 2nd year.