Voice

Profile

Scholarships Received:

• Saionji Memorial Scholarship (Academically Outstanding Students Category)

High School:
Gleneagle Secondary School

Why did you choose to study in CRPS?

I’ve been studying Japanese for many years, but was frustrated with how little progress I was making in Canada, so I had the idea to study in Japan to improve my fluency. When it came time to find schools to apply to, my Japanese teacher recommended that I look at Ritsumeikan. I knew I wanted to study something adjacent to urban planning, so I found that CRPS fit my interests perfectly. Particularly, the program’s focus on research and hands-on learning made it stand out compared to other options. I also found that many CRPS graduates continue to master’s degree programs in fields I’m interested in, so it was obvious the program aligned with my career aspirations.

What is your life in CRPS / Ritsumeikan like?

If I could use one word to describe my day-to-day in CRPS, it would be “variety”. One of the great things about the program is that it emphasizes how multidisciplinary policy formation is. In a given week, I have classes ranging from international relations, to economics, to disaster prevention, to research methods. Group discussion is a core feature of almost every class I’ve taken so far at Ritsumeikan which allows me to learn not just from the professor but from the international perspectives of my classmates. Beyond just studies, I also have a part-time job at a convenience store, which is a great way to practice my Japanese and learn more about Japanese company culture. Of course, life is not all work; I also spend my time with friends from all over the world that I got to meet while living in one of Ritsumeikan’s international dorms. When it’s time to unwind I like to spend time producing music on my computer; in fact, I’m an active member of Ritsumeikan’s Vocaloid and DTM circle and am currently preparing for a performance at OIC campus’s Flow music event.

What are your plans after CRPS?

My current plan after graduating from CRPS is to continue onto graduate school to pursue a master’s degree in urban planning or a related field, either in my home country or somewhere in Europe.

How would You recommend CRPS?

CRPS is really a one-of-a-kind program; It’s such a privilege to study here fully immersed in Japanese culture while also getting an international perspective on all sorts of contemporary global issues from professors of widely ranging backgrounds and disciplines. If you’re interested in anything related to policy, governance, or social science research and are considering studying in Japan, I think there’s truly no better place.