Four Years of Growing Through Mutual Inspiration and Collaboration

Seeking Exciting Education—Leaping into a New World with Anticipation

With a strong desire to contribute to the advancement of high school education and to encounter more inspiring and innovative forms of learning, I decided to leave my hometown of Osaka and pursue my studies at Eikei University of Hiroshima. I wanted to deeply explore active learning and inquiry‑based learning, and Eikei University of Hiroshima offered the ideal environment to do so.

What ultimately convinced me to enroll was the excitement I felt about the opportunities available here:

the Project-Based Learning (PBL) courses, the chance to start new student clubs, and the presence of passionate peers who were fully devoted to their pursuits. I was confident that having the opportunity to engage in advanced Project-Based Learning (PBL) as a student would become an invaluable asset as I began thinking about the kind of education I wanted to help create in the future.

Discovering Two Essential Pillars Through Hands-On Engagement Beyond the Classroom

The areas of learning that influenced me most at Eikei University of Hiroshima were system thinking, Project-Based Learning (PBL), and the Experiential and Practical Programs. Although system thinking felt difficult to grasp at first, the more I applied it, the more I learned to understand the bigger picture and identify the root causes of complex issues. With continued practice, I came to appreciate the true value of this approach.

In Project-Based Learning (PBL), I had the opportunity to engage seriously with real challenges faced by companies and communities. In one project focused on revitalizing the Miyahama Onsen area in Hatsukaichi City, Hiroshima Prefecture, my classmates and I took the train to the site, walked around the community, and conducted interviews with people in the area. Through this hands on, down to earth work, I realized how essential it is to integrate multi perspective thinking with practical, on the ground action.

These two elements—broad, analytical thinking and real-world engagement—became the dual pillars that shaped my approach to learning and problem-solving.

Developing the Energetic Drive to Move Projects Forward—Gained Through Fearless Action

Armed with the skills I had cultivated, I decided to take on an Experiential and Practical Program in the field of education, an area I had long been interested in.

One day, I happened to hear a business presentation about an online learning service for students who do not attend school. I was deeply drawn to the organization’s philosophy and initiatives. Driven by that feeling, I approached the company president directly on the spot—and that bold step opened the door to an internship opportunity.

During the internship, I worked on designing an online community for teachers, an area that had not been fully developed. While respecting each teacher’s autonomy and working style, I explored ways to create an environment where ideas could be exchanged more freely and where the community could function sustainably. Through trial and error and persistent effort, I gradually shaped the project into a workable form.

This experience allowed me not only to gain practical knowledge but also to cultivate Global collaboration and Energetic drive, two of the five competencies emphasized at Eikei University of Hiroshima. Working closely with various stakeholders to move a project forward gave me hands-on opportunities to develop these essential skills.

The internship—and the many other practical experiences I accumulated—also became a process of self-reflection. Over the four years, I found myself confronting my own values, motivations, and innate strengths. While my dreams evolved along the way, I feel that the core of who I am became even more consistent and refined.

Creating a New Form of Education That Begins with a “Place to Retreat”

Since entering Eikei University of Hiroshima, my vision for the future has become many times clearer than it was at the time of enrollment, and I have already begun taking steps toward making it a reality. After graduation, I plan to establish the voluntary organization I founded during my studies as an official business and expand its activities based in Etajima City.

In addition to developing and operating experiential programs that serve as a “place to retreat” for anyone who feels overwhelmed or unable to accept themselves, I will also take on the management of a guesthouse that will serve as the base for these programs.

Moreover, as a member of the Etajima Community Revitalization Team, I will work on revitalizing the island’s only high school.

By using the concept of a “place to retreat” as the foundation, I will continue taking on new challenges to shape a form of education where anyone can feel safe to grow, learn, and embrace their own path.

Message to Prospective Students and Juniors

To all of you preparing to enter Eikei University of Hiroshima, I want to say this: don’t feel embarrassed—try anything and everything.
To explore your beliefs and the way you want to live, it’s important to take action on what interests you, and to reflect on those experiences so you can build your own path through trial and selection.

At Eikei University of Hiroshima, you will meet friends who will worry alongside you about questions like:
“I can’t find what I want to do,”
“How do I even get started?”
“What should I do with my future?”

That is one of the university’s greatest strengths—you will find peers who share your uncertainties and who will walk with you as you grow.