Finding My Own Aspiration in an Environment Where Students Encourage Each Other’s Challenges

Seeking a Place Where I Could Use My Strength in English While Engaging with Social Issues

Before entering Eikei University of Hiroshima, I had a vague desire to “work in a field where I could interact with people from overseas.” Throughout high school, I devoted myself to studying English, but over time, I came to realize that English is only a tool—and what truly matters is thinking about what I want to achieve through English. I knew I wanted to contribute to society while engaging with the global community, but I had not yet formed a clear idea of what career I wanted to pursue. I was searching for my own path.

What drew me to Eikei University of Hiroshima was its learning environment, where students explore social issues while deepening their own questions. Precisely because my future was not yet defined, I wanted to place myself in an environment where I could identify questions, think independently, and take action.

I also felt that, as a new university, Eikei University of Hiroshima offered a space where students and the institution could grow together through mutual learning. Although I had uncertainties, my desire to challenge myself in this environment outweighed any worries. I didn’t want to miss the opportunity, even if it meant taking a risk—so I decided to enroll at Eikei University of Hiroshima.

Learning the Thought Processes Essential for Problem-Solving: The “Design Thinking and System Thinking” Course

One of the most memorable courses at Eikei University of Hiroshima was Design Thinking and System Thinking. In this course, we learned methods for understanding the structure of social issues and exploring potential solutions using design thinking and system thinking. For my final assignment, I focused on an environmental issue, creating a causal loop diagram to analyze its underlying structure and using Customer Value Chain Analysis (CVCA) to examine the relationships among various stakeholders. Building on these analyses, I identified the fundamental problem and proposed possible solutions.

I took this course in my second year, yet the issues we tackled and the solutions we designed remain vivid in my memory even now. It was a deeply impactful learning experience that helped me grasp the value of examining social issues from a structural perspective. As a student who entered university from the humanities, I found this liberal arts approach—one that enables multiple angles of analysis even for themes that seem rooted in the sciences—refreshing and intellectually stimulating.

What I learned in this course continues to inform my approach in Project-Based Learning (PBL) and the Experiential and Practical Programs, where I consistently strive to identify the essence of complex challenges and collaborate with others to explore meaningful solutions.

Sharing Hiroshima with the World — Connecting People and Communities

During my study abroad experience through the Experiential and Practical Programs, I found many opportunities to talk about Hiroshima. Through these conversations, I realized the value of being able to share one’s home region with others. Talking about Hiroshima allowed me not only to express my own background and values but also to communicate the region’s appeal—its natural beauty, culture, and the warmth of its people.

Seeing Hiroshima from the outside helped me appreciate it even more deeply. These experiences shaped a clear vision: I want to share the appeal of Hiroshima with the world and become someone who connects people and communities.

After graduation, I hope to play a role in communicating Hiroshima’s appeal both within Japan and internationally. Through fields such as tourism and international exchange, I want to introduce Hiroshima’s diverse appeal—its nature, culture, food, and people—and create opportunities for more people to experience and connect with the region. At the same time, by engaging deeply with local communities, I hope to help generate new value and contribute to building a society where people feel proud of Hiroshima.

Message to Prospective Students and Juniors

Eikei University of Hiroshima offers an environment that genuinely supports students who are eager to take on new challenges. Not only do students encourage one another, but faculty members also actively empower students to pursue their ideas. Because of this, I believe it is a university where you can easily take the first step toward something you want to try.

That is exactly why I hope you will cherish your interests and passions—and challenge yourself, even when something feels a little intimidating. Through these challenges, you will encounter new people, gain new insights, and expand your worldview in ways you never expected.

Don’t be afraid of failure.
Treasure your own questions, and enjoy your university life as you continue to explore and grow.