Meeting a New Version of Myself

Before entering university, I had a vague dream of “working abroad.” I was particularly interested in the Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteers, but I hadn’t researched it in detail—I simply admired the idea. Since elementary school, I had also wanted to speak English fluently, and during my university life, I hoped to become truly proficient.

After visiting Hiroshima on a trip during high school, I grew fond of the city and began considering universities there. Initially, I aimed to enter the international studies department of another university, but my homeroom teacher introduced me to Eikei University of Hiroshima. I was drawn to the fact that it was a newly established university, and that one in four students were international students, which led me to make it my first choice.

At Eikei University of Hiroshima, I studied a wide range of Liberal arts courses based on the SDGs, which helped me clarify my interests and goals. Although I originally wanted to work abroad, through courses like “Regional Revitalization” and “Project-Based Learning (PBL)”, I developed foresight and strategy, and began to aspire to work in roles that improve local communities and contribute to society.

One of the most influential experiences was participating in an overseas volunteer program as part of the Experiential / Practical program. I spent three months in Canada attending a language school while volunteering at a local kindergarten. At first, I struggled with the gap in English proficiency between myself and others, and couldn’t actively participate in discussions. However, over those three months, I overcame my hesitation to speak English and learned the importance of taking on challenges without fear of failure. I realized that the desire to communicate is more important than speaking perfectly.

After graduation, I will work as a municipal employee in Shizuoka Prefecture, my hometown. Through my role in public administration, I hope to stay close to citizens and the community, and approach each task with a strong sense of purpose—“for the region” and “for society.” Since the area has a large population of foreign residents, I also hope to apply the global collaboration I developed during my four years at university and my time in Canada to support them.

To future students and juniors, I want to say: don’t let a fear of English hold you back—what matters most is your attitude toward learning. When I first entered university, I was embarrassed about not being able to speak English well, but I came to realize that what’s important isn’t speaking perfectly, but having the motivation to learn. When taking classes at Eikei University of Hiroshima, embrace the spirit of continuous self-improvement and actively seek out learning opportunities.