Welcome to the Student Voice Series. This 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
Tran Vi Khanh from Vietnam
College of Policy Science,
Community and Regional Policy Studies Major (CRPS), 2nd Year
Scholarships Received:
MEXT Scholarship
I have numerous reasons for choosing Ritsumeikan University. The first is the study program, as I love to be a researcher, a policy-maker, and work in NGOs/ NPOs. I went over the whole four-year curriculum and double-checked every topic, and I believe the curriculum is superior to those of other rival colleges around the country. Also, I love the facilities at Ritsumeikan, as they can help me improve my studying procedures.
Before I came to Japan, I had a lot of worries, especially since my Japanese is not good. I had to learn a new language besides academic knowledge from the university. Those days were super challenging for me, but I got a lot of support from my peers and my sempai. Those difficulties have helped me grow a lot.
In the first year, we are required to study Japanese intensively, with six classes per week. This is not only a challenge but also an opportunity for us to enhance our abilities and get used to life here. After that, we have a lot of vision building and introductory lectures, allowing us to explore our "hidden" abilities. We are free to choose what we like, feel interested in, or are even not confident about. However, I have to say that the curriculum at Ritsumeikan is a bit demanding and requires us to concentrate 100% of our abilities. Learner-centered education and personalized learning are keys that need students' active roles in the classroom.
Last semester, I took a lot of courses related to art, music, and even film production. Besides that, academic writing and some computing classes are also my priority. At Ritsumeikan, we have various opportunities to study what we like and pursue the most suitable path. I think our lives can be better if we learn something we love because we can show our passion through our work, and it gives us the drive to give our best effort.
Sakura is one of the best things in Japan, and it is also the central theme in one of my art courses.
Besides being a "full-time student" at Ritsumeikan, I am also working as a self-motivated content creator and a teaching assistant in some academic programs at the University. The work forces me to have good time-management skills to balance my hobbies and studying. This also means that sometimes I have to set boundaries, say no, and spend time doing necessary things.
Haha, no matter how excited you are to start university, it's natural to feel homesick sometimes. I want to say that if you're feeling homesick, keep in mind that you're not alone. Let yourself be homesick for a bit, but try to be open, talk with your friends and share that feeling with someone you can trust. It is essential to share your feelings with others. And remember to take good care of yourself, because you also miss home the most when you are sick.
Universal Studio day with my friend.
When you really want something, the whole universe conspires in helping you to achieve it!
Khi bạn thực sự muốn điều gì đó, cả vũ trụ sẽ nỗ lực giúp bạn đạt được nó
