Vladimir Pecheu, International Student from France

－Which university are you from and what was your major?
I am from Sciences Po, Paris, and I am doing a double Master's in economics between my university and Keio.

－What made you decide to study abroad?
I wanted to study abroad to experience living in a culture that is completely different from what I have known so far, and to confront myself to a new way of thinking which would broaden my horizons.

－Why did you decide to study in Japan or at Keio?
Japan met the above criteria. It is a country which, despite being a major player in our globalized world, has preserved its very unique culture. I have been interested by Japanese culture and history for about five years. I was attracted by some features of the Japanese mind, like the importance given to nature and harmony, the respect of others, and the value of hard work. When I studied Japanese history I was impressed by the capacity of the country to overcome challenges, like during the Meiji restoration or with the "economic wonder" after World War 2.

－Please tell us about some of the aspects of your life in Japan or at Keio.
I enjoy my life in Japan. Even though I had read several books before coming I was still astonished by many things like the cleanness of Tokyo or the sense of service of vendors. I also feel in a very safe place with a strong spirit of community between its members. Keio has also offered a very good welcome. Since the beginning of the year I have started my research with my supervising professor, who I have been discussing with regularly and actively. I also met with Japanese friends who have introduced me to interesting places in Tokyo, and thanks to whom I could experience actual Japanese life.

－What are differences you have noticed between Keio and your home university?
The classes I attended at Keio had fewer students than those in my university. Some of them also had a different format. For example I took a course where students undertake an independent study and get comments from their peers when presenting their work regularly during the semester. This is a more general feature of the seminar classes – “zemi” – which students attend since they undergraduate studies. I like this because it puts emphasis on research at an early stage of university. The process of job hunting which many of my Japanese friends have been going through very early in their course is also a specificity of Japan.

－Please tell us about what you feel you gained by studying at Keio.
First, thanks to the program I was able to improve my Japanese language and to meet Japanese friends I could practice with. The confrontation with people from different cultures and backgrounds, not only Japanese but also from other Asian countries, made me reconsider some conceptions and thinking I used to have. But on the other side it also made me realize what the strengths of my country are. Some features about France that I had been viewing as banal appeared to me as very unique from my abroad point of view.

－Please tell us about your future plans.
After graduating from Keio and Sciences Po, I want to pursue my course with a PhD, and hopefully abroad again. I definitely want to continue doing research in economics and I was glad I could do so at Keio.

－Do you have any advice for students who are considering studying abroad?
I would have two advices. First, try not to idealize the place you are going to. It is better not to have too many expectations and let it surprise you than being deceived because of an initial misunderstanding. Second, study Japanese language before coming. It is very important I think, in order be able to benefit from the experience.

Information of Sciences Po
Sciences Po is a very open university which aims at educating students to become active citizens, able to think about and position themselves on any important topic in society.

About the writer
Vladimir Pecheu
Second-year Student of Master's Program,
Graduate School of Economics