#Students
A NEW CHAPTER
Samantha Chow
Middlesex University London (United Kingdom)
2026/07/29
From Illustration to Liberal Arts: Why I Chose GLA
Prior to Ritsumeikan, I was working as an illustrator in the publishing industry. While art has been my primary passion, I have always been drawn to topics under the social sciences category. Still, with my background rooted in the arts, I did not have many chances to explore my other interests more deeply. This eventually led me to consider returning to university, but this time studying something completely different that could satisfy my wider curiosities – and here I am.
At the time, I had already been living in Kyoto for a year and had really grown to love the city, so naturally I looked for universities in the nearby Kansai area. I knew I wanted a program that offered a wide range of courses in English, and as someone who enjoys living in different places, being able to live in both Japan and Australia during the duration of the double degree program with ANU appealed to me. GLA was an easy choice.Timetable
Exploring New Interests Through Liberal Arts
As it was my first semester, I decided
to take mostly introductory courses that could equip me with a basic foundation
for my future classes. Knowing that the ANU side of the program would lean more
heavily towards political science, I chose introductory politics and international
relationinternational relations courses for
that reason. I also took a few history courses for my own interest.
I have always chosen courses that I am genuinely curious about, and those that I think could be academically stimulating. In fact, some of the courses I have taken covered topics I was not previously familiar with, such as those related to philosophy or other more theoretical courses. Coming out of these classes feeling rewarded with how much I have learnt and knowing that I now have a better grasp on the topic is what makes university enjoyable.
Coincidentally, this first semester also ended up being my busiest credits-wise. Along with my regular courses, I also went for the Liberal Arts Experience fieldtrip during the winter break, which I will elaborate on further below.
Timetable
Balancing RU and ANU Courses
From this semester onwards, we started taking ANU courses alongside our RU ones. It has been interesting to see the different teaching and assessment styles between the two universities, and I often find myself implementing what I have learnt from the RU lectures to my ANU assignments and vice versa, which has been very helpful.
Since this was our first semester with ANU, I decided to not take on too many RU courses to gauge the overall workload moving forward. There were quite a lot of weekly readings assigned this term, so I made use of my long commute from Kyoto to the Ibaraki campus to catch up on them. It turned out to be an efficient way to stay on top of the materials and be prepared for in-class discussions.
That said, this semester was probably my toughest so far, especially when it comes to balancing social life, study, and work. Most likely, you can find me in the library or other study spaces after classes, making sure I stay ahead of my deadlines. I also try to schedule my timetable with at least one weekday off to give me some breathing room and time for other commitments.Curriculum
Liberal Arts Experience, Nepal Fieldwork
The fieldwork experience was definitely a highlight during my time in Ritsumeikan so far. In this course, we each developed a policy recommendation addressing an ongoing issue in Nepal and later presented our research and findings to government officials and other relevant authorities. During this trip, I had the opportunity to speak with people working in the Nepali government, UNDP, local NGOs, and community members, which greatly enriched my research.
It was really eye-opening to experience the difference between conducting research from afar and doing it in-person. Being on the ground allowed me to see the realities behind the issue I was researching, and the depth of insight you can gain from firsthand observations and primary sources is something you cannot do online due to the limitations of the information available. It was a valuable experience overall, and I am happy that my research was able to contribute, even if only a little, to a real-world issue.
On top of that, we got to enjoy fresh masala tea and delicious Nepali food every day, and we even spent some time in the mountains. Waking up and opening my tent to the view of the Himalayas was incredible!
Contemporary Social and Political Theory
This intermediate course, open to only second-year students and above, offers challenging yet incredibly rewarding material. As someone interested in postcolonial studies, particularly in understanding the deeply ingrained structures and legacies of imperialism and colonialism, I was immediately attracted to the syllabus for this class.
The materials focus closely on those themes, engaging with a diverse range of authors and their interpretations on how these historical forces continue to mold our societies today, explaining why our current world functions the way it is. It also delves into the intersectionality of race, gender, and social class, examining how they relate and reinforce one another. All things considered, this class has been a joy to take and was one where I find myself looking forward to each lecture.
Campus Life
Life Outside Campus
Besides university, I work as a guide at the Kyoto International Peace Museum, occasionally helping with design and translation. It has been an incredibly enriching experience, giving me the chance to bring what I learn in class directly into real-life discussions with the visitors. Having previously illustrated many history-focused books, I understand how powerful education and the role of storytelling can be – particularly when it concerns real historical events. Whose voices are we sharing? Which narratives are being told? The museum’s commitment to historical transparency aligns with my values, as I believe it vital for reconciliation and building peace, especially given the tensions and challenges in our world today.
On a lighter note, it is also important to still make time for the hobbies you enjoy for your own mental health and to avoid burnout. I try to keep working on my own creative projects whenever I can, and I also often take short weekend trips to recharge before starting yet another busy week. The Japanese mountains and old onsen towns are my favourite destinations, and being based in Kansai makes it easy to explore nearby nature-rich areas. These little adventures are what makes a study abroad experience more fulfilling!