Going Global

Brandon Makoto Minehane

Nagoya International High School

2026/07/23

Going global

Having an Australian father was a big reason why I chose this program. Since I have ties to both Japan and Australia, I wanted to study somewhere that would let me connect with both sides of my background. I completed the International Baccalaureate Diploma Program in high school, so I wanted to keep studying in English while exploring my interests in economics and politics. What really drew me to GLA was that it offered that kind of international environment, along with the chance to study in Australia and earn a degree from ANU. In the future, I hope to work in an international field where I can use my background and knowledge of global affairs to help people in need.

Timetable

Curriculum

Human Migration and Expansion in the Rise of the Asia-Pacific

In this course, I learned about how people migrated across the Asia-Pacific region and how those movements shaped different societies. By looking at examples from places like China and Polynesia, we explored how migration influenced the development of cultures and communities in the region. One moment I especially remember was when the lecturer brought in materials such as obsidian. Seeing objects that Polynesian peoples used to make tools and weapons made the history feel much more real and interesting.

Asia’s Changing Politics in Comparative Perspective

In this course, we looked at why political systems differ from country to country. We compared different types of systems, such as democracies and authoritarian governments, and discussed ideas like centralization and decentralization. By looking at real examples from different countries, we discussed how political institutions can affect factors such as economic development and social stability. One of the main things I took away from the class was how important it is to look at politics from a comparative perspective in order to understand why countries develop in different ways.

Campus Life

Campus life in Canberra

Canberra was a quiet and relaxing city, which made it a comfortable place to live and study. The university had great facilities like a gym and swimming pool, and there were plenty of student societies, including badminton, tennis, and different arts clubs. During my time there, I made both local and international friends, and we often hung out after class or on weekends. I was also lucky to meet some wonderful people who became close friends, and those friendships are something I really value. I even had the chance to study abroad in Korea during the break. Being able to balance classes at ANU while spending time with friends and taking part in activities made my time in Australia a really memorable experience.

Dormitory Life

Dormitory life at Wright Hall

Living in the dormitory was one of the most memorable parts of my time abroad. There was always something going on, like wing events, quizzes, and even a prom, which made it easy to meet people and get to know everyone in the building. I actually met some of my closest friends during the very first dorm introduction event, and looking back, that moment ended up being really important for me. The dorm was fully catered with 18 meals a week, so I usually had lunch and dinner there, and those meal times became a great chance to sit with different people and talk while eating together. Some of my favorite memories are the simple ones, like hopping on scooters at night with friends and riding into the city to grab Domino’s pizza. Moments like those made dorm life feel special and helped turn the people I met there into friendships I’ll always value.

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