McKenzie, Colin - Awarded in 2020

While the Faculty of Economics at Keio University has long prided itself on naturally attracting highly capable students, it is predicted that relying solely on the domestic market will make it extremely difficult to attract high-quality students in the future due to Japan's declining population and the resulting intensified competition among universities. The establishment of the Faculty of Economics' PEARL program (which is taught in English) has made it possible for students who were previously unable to enroll in the faculty to do so. Although teaching in English has obviously opened the door to Keio for many diverse international students, it is less well known that there were also several untapped markets. Among these are high-quality, internationally experienced Japanese and non-Japanese students attending international schools in Japan—who are already attracting attention from foreign universities—and Japanese nationals within the PEARL student body who have lived abroad for long periods. On the other hand, because their Japanese language skills are not at a native level, it seems difficult for them to enter the Faculty of Economics through general entrance examinations. Nevertheless, it appears that many of these students wish to receive their university education and work in Japan.

International collaboration is not limited to the university's degree-seeking students; it naturally includes international exchange students as well. Unfortunately, however, Keio's name is not widely known, so international students do not come to Keio on their own. In addition to providing a high-quality education, significant public relations activities are necessary. The reason international students are so important is that they come from different experiential, religious, and cultural backgrounds than Japanese students. They ask questions and raise points that Japanese students might not imagine, which naturally gives rise to Yukichi Fukuzawa's principle of "learning while teaching, teaching while learning."

I want you to recognize that university is not a playground but a place that can change your life. There are many experiences you can only have at university, and studying abroad is one of them. By studying abroad, you are deliberately choosing to live "outside your comfort zone." Through my own experience of studying abroad, I came to know Japan, found my life partner, and ultimately ended up working at Keio. Looking back, it is highly likely that my life would have been very dull if I had not studied abroad in Japan. Studying abroad has the power to change your life, so please consider it!

(Interview conducted in December 2020)