#Students
Beyond Borders: Learning, Living, and Thriving at GLA
Ha Tuan Nghia
School of Graduation: Foreign Language Specialized School (Vietnam)
2025/03/27
A Global Citizen
Deciding on a future path at 16 or 17 was not easy, especially when choosing an academic direction. However, I have always been ambitious about going abroad to complete higher education. My focus during my school years back home was to sharpen my linguistic ability and learn about this globalizing world as much as possible. On top of that, studying in a public school meant that I did not have the opportunity to explore diverse perspectives on global issues.
With that in mind, I decided that I wanted to find a program that offers an international setting, while also offering a wide range of subjects. While researching, I discovered GLA, and immediately knew it met my criteria. I was fortunate enough to receive a full-ride scholarship; yet it has not been easy keeping up with the program. This fueled my determination to improve myself constantly, gaining fresh knowledge from all courses. With the chance to obtain both GLA and BAPA (Bachelor of Asia Pacific Affairs) degrees, I believe this is a significant step forward in my journey of becoming a global citizen.
Timetable
A Well-Rounded Approach
After the first semester of getting used to the program, I decided to shift my focus to Politics and International Relations, as these were not only fields that I was never exposed to during my high school years but also courses that would be helpful for ANU’s BAPA study in the future. Additionally, I completed all mandatory courses and chose two other courses that sparked my interest (Introduction to Market Economy and Introduction to Public Speaking).
I was satisfied with my selections, and I believe that this was a well-balanced schedule with courses that complemented each other without overlapping. The course selection process went smoothly for me (I did not miss any class that I wanted), and spending a decent amount of time researching was worthwhile.
Being a morning person, I did not mind filling up my morning schedule so that I had longer breaks in the afternoon for self-study, club activities and hobbies. By evenly distributing my courses, ensuring that no day had more than two classes, I could bring my energy to every class that I attended.
Timetable
Diversify My Schedule
The first semester of my second year at GLA marked the beginning of the BAPA degree. With both BAPA courses heavily focused on historical and theoretical politics, I felt the need to balance and diversify my schedule to maintain my well-rounded learning approach.
Therefore, I selected courses such as Issues in Global Justice (Philosophy), Development Economics (Economics), Global Media Cultures (Media) and Strategic Communication and Media Relations (Communication). This combination allowed me to absorb a broad range of knowledge while avoiding burnout from taking too many politics related courses.
In this semester, I kept Friday open for extra self-study and personal plans. Although I had a busier workload from Monday to Thursday, this arrangement effectively extended my weekend, giving me enough time to complete my assignments while staying connected to the non-academic world.
Curriculum
Introduction to Politics
Adopt a Perspective from a Different State
This course covered foundational political concepts, definitions, and ideologies, providing a strong basis for future studies in the BAPA degree, which focuses on politics. Beyond academic preparation, it also allowed students to apply various theories to the current global political landscape. Given today’s increasingly complex geopolitical climate, understanding the historical and theoretical roots of these issues is more crucial than ever.
Professor Miwa Hirono did an excellent job of making the subject both accessible and practical. Additionally, having classmates from diverse political backgrounds transformed each lecture into an opportunity to explore perspectives and historical contexts from different countries.
For the final assignment, we were required to apply the theories learned in class to analyze a current or historical issue. This research process encouraged me to adopt a perspective from a different state, showing that real-world problems cannot always be solved through theory alone.
Introduction to Global Media Cultures
How are Time and Space Connected in This Film?
Introduction to Global Media Cultures was a course where we watched films, studied media theories, and applied them to analyze movies. Throughout the semester, I was introduced to several fascinating works, which we watched together in class. This shared viewing experience allowed us to engage in discussions about what makes certain films famous or significant and to explore their artistic meanings. By studying these concepts, we not only applied them in class but also developed a new way of thinking that we could use every time we watched a film. For instance, we examined questions like: How are time and space connected in this film?
For the final assignment, we created original video essays, allowing us to express our creativity. Although this course didn’t directly align with my other selections (in politics economics), it left a strong impression on me. It served as a refreshing reminder that learning does not always have to be serious, it can also be something we enjoy in everyday life.
Campus Life
An Ever-Moving Life
Living in Japan still feels like a dream to me. I have loved its culture and people since childhood. Whenever I have the chance, even outside of class, I spend my time exploring different aspects of this beautiful country.
Traveling is my passion. I have visited many places in Japan, from Tokyo to Okinawa to Hokkaido, and each destination has left a unique impression—some peaceful, others bustling and lively. The campus’ convenient location has also been a great advantage. To me, traveling is not just a way to see the world; it also rejuvenates my energy before each week of classes.
Playing sports is another one of my hobbies. I joined the international basketball circle at the OIC Campus, which holds weekly practices. It is a blessing to be able to do what I love while also staying fit. Through the circle, I have also made friends with students from different colleges of Ritsumeikan, making the experience even more enjoyable!
Dormitory Life
A Mini Globe
The OIC Global House (G-House) is the dormitory primarily designated for GLA students on campus. It is a modern and spacious building with countless great features. I have lived here since the beginning of my studies at Ritsumeikan and will continue to do so until my departure for Australia.
The most convenient thing about G-House is its ideal location. Living on campus eliminates the risk of transportation delays and maximizes learning efficiency. Additionally, there are many convenience stores, grocery stores, and clinics nearby, making daily life even more comfortable.
However, I think the most remarkable feature of G-House is its international atmosphere. Your dormmates can come from all around the world, providing a great opportunity to make friends and build connections. This is incredibly helpful, as peers, upperclassmen, and friends can support your studies and share valuable experiences. Being part of this mini-international community motivates me to attend classes every day, knowing that we are all growing together and preparing to take on the world.