You Can Become the Person You Aspire to Be

During high school, I was a member of the broadcasting and video production club, where I created video documentaries to showcase the appeal of local communities. Through this experience, I learned the importance of discovering and sharing regional charm. While covering the area around my school, I also rediscovered the appeal of my hometown, Tsuyama City in Okayama Prefecture. This inspired me to contribute to revitalizing Tsuyama by promoting its attractions. To achieve this, I considered working in the tourism industry or even starting my own business.

One of the reasons I chose Eikei University of Hiroshima was its distinctive curriculum. The university offers Liberal arts courses that provide a broad understanding of society, along with subjects like design thinking and systems thinking that help translate that knowledge into practical solutions. These studies help develop competencies such as foresight and strategy. Additionally, the high ratio of international students allows for the improvement of English skills and the development of global collaboration through working with people from diverse cultural backgrounds.

In reality, the issues facing my hometown, Tsuyama and other mountainous regions in the Chūgoku area are complex. Promoting tourism requires knowledge across multiple fields—ecology and environmental science for forest management, multicultural coexistence for attracting foreign visitors, and ICT for improving internet and living infrastructure. I believed that Eikei University of Hiroshima would equip me with the competencies needed to identify such social challenges and create new value to contribute to society, which led me to enroll.
 

When my university life began in 2021, it was during the COVID-19 pandemic, and most classes were held online, limiting campus activities. This made it difficult to interact directly with classmates or learn about what was happening on campus. As a result, my curiosity grew—wondering what my peers were doing and what activities were taking place at the university. This led me to establish the “Eikei Journalist Club” in my second year. Through this initiative, I reported on outstanding campus activities and projects, sharing them via newsletters and social media. These experiences, along with my coursework, helped clarify my goal of working in media to promote regional appeal after graduation.

Liberal arts courses had a particularly strong impact on me. They constantly inspired my career design and activities. I was especially struck by topics such as how to achieve multicultural coexistence in a globalized world, the effects of environmental changes on living organisms, and how to verify the authenticity of information in an age of AI-driven fake news.

This unique interdisciplinary learning at Eikei University of Hiroshima helped me develop the execution skills needed to create new value and lead in the future.

After graduation, I plan to work as a journalist at The Chugoku Shimbun Co., Ltd. where I hope to focus on community-based reporting. In Hiroshima Prefecture, I want to highlight the efforts of individuals and organizations working toward their dreams and the region’s development. By covering these stories and sharing the passion and process behind them, I hope to inspire more people to engage with their communities and foster empathy and collaboration. I also aim to report on small local events and broader societal issues, contributing to problem-solving and strengthening community ties. Through such reporting, I hope to help individuals feel more connected to their region and take positive action.

To future students and juniors, I want to say: even if you’re not confident in English or other languages, actively communicating can lead to new discoveries and broaden your perspective. I wasn’t good at English myself and still feel challenged by it. But Eikei University of Hiroshima has many international students, and talking with them is incredibly enjoyable. You can discuss global issues from different viewpoints and values. I believe that curiosity-driven communication leads to new insights and expanded horizons. On campus, people with diverse cultural backgrounds and expertise gather—so I recommend not only speaking up but also joining events and study groups. By communicating without fear of failure, you may find unexpected empathy and understanding, deepening relationships quickly.

Please cherish these valuable opportunities and build connections with people both inside and outside the university. By encountering diverse perspectives, you’ll expand your future options and profoundly influence your own way of life.