Your own#
#Two study abroad experiences
It has given me insight and growth
It has given me insight and growth
#Studying abroad at Asia University
Tomoko Hara
Faculty of International Relations Department of International Relations 4th year, Enrolled in 2019
Photographed in January 2023
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Faculty of International Relations
Department of International Relations
Reason for choosing
Department of International Relations
Reason for choosing
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Through teaching courses and minors
"I want to be a teacher like that."
The feeling that
"I want to be a teacher like that."
The feeling that
When I enrolled, I had thoughts of "I want to try something new" and "I want to improve my English skills and study abroad," but I didn't have any particular career options or goal in mind. So I thought, "I need to get a qualification first," and I came up with the idea of a teaching license.
I learned that I could obtain teaching licenses for social studies and English (junior high and high school) in Department of International Relations, so I decided to take the teacher training course. Although it was difficult to balance my studies with my specialized subjects, the teachers who were kind enough to teach me made me want to be a teacher like them.
If I were to become a middle or high school teacher, I wanted to use my experience in fencing to be involved in club activities, so in my second year I took Sports Science Minor. I myself had a bitter experience in high school of being too stoic and getting sick. To prevent students from doing the same, I thought that as a coach I should have correct knowledge about sports in general. I was able to learn cutting-edge evidence-based theories through classes such as "sports psychology," "sports physiology," and "sports measurement and evaluation," which was very educational.
I learned that I could obtain teaching licenses for social studies and English (junior high and high school) in Department of International Relations, so I decided to take the teacher training course. Although it was difficult to balance my studies with my specialized subjects, the teachers who were kind enough to teach me made me want to be a teacher like them.
If I were to become a middle or high school teacher, I wanted to use my experience in fencing to be involved in club activities, so in my second year I took Sports Science Minor. I myself had a bitter experience in high school of being too stoic and getting sick. To prevent students from doing the same, I thought that as a coach I should have correct knowledge about sports in general. I was able to learn cutting-edge evidence-based theories through classes such as "sports psychology," "sports physiology," and "sports measurement and evaluation," which was very educational.
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"Expert English"
In an international law class
Bringing the world closer
In an international law class
Bringing the world closer
I was worried about whether I would be able to keep up with the "Expert English Program" I took from my first year, because all of the classes were conducted solely in English. But in reality, the teachers explained things to me in very easy-to-understand English many times, and the students helped each other out and continued to learn.
I feel that the "Academic Writing" class I took in my second year was particularly helpful. We learned the expressions and summaries needed to write academic papers, and about once every two weeks we completed a paper in a set format. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, classes were conducted online, so assignments and feedback were sent via email, but I was also given advice on how to write emails in proper English. At the end, I felt a sense of accomplishment, thinking, "I've become so good at writing." After that, I was assigned to write essays and papers at my study abroad destination, and I was able to tackle them with confidence.
From my third year, I chose to take a seminar taught by Professor AKIZUKI Hiroko who specializes in international law. In my second year, I was drawn to Professor, which used familiar themes such as the perception of the Self-Defense Forces as a starting point to interpret international court precedents. Professor Akizuki is known for her global activities, including her involvement with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), and currently serves as a member of the United Nations Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW). In the seminar, students prepare for the international court precedents presented to them and deepen their understanding through discussion. At the end, the professor gives a timely commentary on the United Nations along with her comments, which made the world feel closer to me. There were rumors that she was strict (laughs), but in reality she is a wonderful teacher who carefully watches over and guides each student.
I feel that the "Academic Writing" class I took in my second year was particularly helpful. We learned the expressions and summaries needed to write academic papers, and about once every two weeks we completed a paper in a set format. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, classes were conducted online, so assignments and feedback were sent via email, but I was also given advice on how to write emails in proper English. At the end, I felt a sense of accomplishment, thinking, "I've become so good at writing." After that, I was assigned to write essays and papers at my study abroad destination, and I was able to tackle them with confidence.
From my third year, I chose to take a seminar taught by Professor AKIZUKI Hiroko who specializes in international law. In my second year, I was drawn to Professor, which used familiar themes such as the perception of the Self-Defense Forces as a starting point to interpret international court precedents. Professor Akizuki is known for her global activities, including her involvement with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), and currently serves as a member of the United Nations Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW). In the seminar, students prepare for the international court precedents presented to them and deepen their understanding through discussion. At the end, the professor gives a timely commentary on the United Nations along with her comments, which made the world feel closer to me. There were rumors that she was strict (laughs), but in reality she is a wonderful teacher who carefully watches over and guides each student.
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Narrow career options by doing early corporate research
By participating in volunteer activities
Be more specific about your vision of the future
By participating in volunteer activities
Be more specific about your vision of the future
In my second year, I started to work on research and selected 200 companies I was interested in at the "Company Discovery Fair" hosted by the university, etc. In my third year, I started to get a better idea of job hunting through "Job Hunting Guidance" and participated in internships at various companies during the summer and winter. As I imagined myself working at a school, I was able to confirm that I wanted to work at a school where I could interact with children and watch them grow day by day.
In the Course "Teacher Recruitment Dojo" for students who want to become teachers, we were taught the knowledge necessary for the teacher recruitment exam, and through a series of mock classes and other activities, I began to think about my gratitude to the teachers who had helped me in the past and about my ideal image of a teacher. At the same time, thanks to the advice of my teachers and friendly competition with my fellow students, I came to believe that I could overcome the teacher recruitment exam, which I had felt was a hurdle to overcome.
In addition, I actively participated in extracurricular activities, such as taking the "Corporate Volunteer" training curriculum run by the National Institution for Youth Teachers and participating in the "Asian Wind School," a student volunteer activity organized by Asia University, to provide learning support for local elementary school students. Through these various experiences, I was able to formulate a concrete vision of my future as a teacher.
In the Course "Teacher Recruitment Dojo" for students who want to become teachers, we were taught the knowledge necessary for the teacher recruitment exam, and through a series of mock classes and other activities, I began to think about my gratitude to the teachers who had helped me in the past and about my ideal image of a teacher. At the same time, thanks to the advice of my teachers and friendly competition with my fellow students, I came to believe that I could overcome the teacher recruitment exam, which I had felt was a hurdle to overcome.
In addition, I actively participated in extracurricular activities, such as taking the "Corporate Volunteer" training curriculum run by the National Institution for Youth Teachers and participating in the "Asian Wind School," a student volunteer activity organized by Asia University, to provide learning support for local elementary school students. Through these various experiences, I was able to formulate a concrete vision of my future as a teacher.
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Studying abroad was a dream that had existed even before enrollment
Improve your speaking skills
Utilized in teaching Practicum
Improve your speaking skills
Utilized in teaching Practicum
The study abroad program I was planning to take in my second year was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, I participated in a short-term study abroad program during the spring break of 2022. This was the end of my third year, when full-scale job hunting begins, but because I had narrowed career options down to teaching from an early stage, I was able to participate.
I studied abroad for about seven weeks at Central Washington University in the United States. Although the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic were still lingering, I was able to spend my time there with peace of mind thanks to the staff of Asia University International Center who helped me with the necessary immigration procedures, and the support of teachers and students at my host university. I had a lot of fun, making friends with local students and traveling with them. I was also able to put the speaking skills I had acquired to good use in my teaching Practicum, which I participated in in June after returning to Japan. The high school where I was doing Practicum aimed to have classes in all English, so I taught classes only in English. There's no doubt that the short-term study abroad experience was what made Practicum go smoothly, including communication with the native ALT* teacher.
*ALT: Research Associate, a person whose native language is a foreign language
I studied abroad for about seven weeks at Central Washington University in the United States. Although the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic were still lingering, I was able to spend my time there with peace of mind thanks to the staff of Asia University International Center who helped me with the necessary immigration procedures, and the support of teachers and students at my host university. I had a lot of fun, making friends with local students and traveling with them. I was also able to put the speaking skills I had acquired to good use in my teaching Practicum, which I participated in in June after returning to Japan. The high school where I was doing Practicum aimed to have classes in all English, so I taught classes only in English. There's no doubt that the short-term study abroad experience was what made Practicum go smoothly, including communication with the native ALT* teacher.
*ALT: Research Associate, a person whose native language is a foreign language
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Finally, my long-term study abroad experience came true
After becoming a teacher
New goals
After becoming a teacher
New goals
The destination was the same university as last time, but the level of the classes had improved. However, most of International Student were second-year students and many of them were not used to it, so I, as a senior student, took the initiative to raise my hand and liven things up, which was a big change for me.
After a while, I found the classes for International Student unsatisfying, so I decided to ask my professor for advice, and he allowed me to participate in Subject offered to local students. At first, I was intimidated by the fast-paced discussions, but after asking questions repeatedly, I was able to exchange opinions. Meanwhile, in my private life, I had trouble with a cold wave just before going on a trip with a friend during winter vacation, when our flight was canceled. Normally, I would ask a local assistant student from Asia University for help, but since many students were relying on me for similar problems, I decided to deal with the situation on my own rather than waiting my turn, and I corresponded with a travel agency and booked a hotel and plane ticket in English. It was very difficult, but it was a good experience that showed me that "you should try everything yourself."
While studying abroad, I found out that I had been successfully hired as a teacher in my hometown. I believe that my two studies abroad have given me many new realizations and helped me grow. I have gained experience as a teacher and have set a new goal for myself: to work overseas in the future.
Aiming for Asia University
To high school students and exam candidates
Message to prospective students
At Asia University, the teachers who I thought were distant were surprisingly kind and helpful in guiding me. I had no goals when I enrolled, but I was able to learn a lot, confront my own experiences and feelings up to that point, and find what I want to do. I hope you will rely on your teachers as much as possible and try to do things that interest you.
Related Links
- Qualification course “Teacher training course”
- Minor Program: "Sports Science Minor"
- Expert English Program
- Characteristics of Department of International Relations and four years of study
- Department of International Relations Seminar
- Employment Guidance
- company discovery fair
- AUAP (Asia University America Program) (AUAP)
#Studying abroad at Asia University