My dream is to work internationally in business. In addition to economics, I also wanted to learn about Japanese industriousness, customs, and ways of thinking. That’s why I decided to study at a university in Japan. There are a number of reasons why I chose Doshisha University. One is that internationalism is one of its principles. Indeed, there are students and teachers with a great variety of nationalities on campus, where the environment is conducive to learning information, customs, and cultures of many different countries. Here, I feel that I learn the awareness and attitude needed to play an active part as a member of the international community. Also, all the teachers and students at Doshisha University are friendly, and I have never had a feeling of alienation as a foreigner since entering the university. The absence of that barrier, I believe, is what is meant by internationalism at Doshisha University.

As I wanted to receive a specialized higher education for the future, I didn’t want to just study abroad short-term. Instead, I took the general entrance exam and entered Doshisha University as a regular, full-time degree-seeking student. Since I take the same classes as Japanese students, I frequently encounter words that I don’t know, and I need my dictionary with me all the time. I often have to work twice as hard as others. However, that gives me that much more knowledge and ability, and I have developed a can-do spirit by taking the initiative to learn. Because of that, I not only learn many things every day in class and life, but I can also have lots of experiences that make me grow, including entering Japanese speech contests and studying abroad in China through a university program.

I feel that Kyoto, as a location, offers big advantages for studying in Japan. Kyoto is the center of Japanese culture. I think that it is a precious experience being able to live and study here. When friends who live in Kyoto teach me about such things as Japanese manners, I get a deeper understanding of the Japanese spirit and customs. While being at the center of Japanese culture, Doshisha University is a place where one can acquire diverse ideas by studying with classmates from many countries in an atmosphere of internationalism. I think it is the perfect university for people who want to lay the groundwork for taking on challenges in the global arena in the future.