A Place of Unexpected Encounters

When I was in high school, I wanted to become an English teacher in the future, so I hoped to enter the Major in English and American Literature at the Keio Faculty of Letters. Also, by chance, the English section of the general entrance examination for my year used an excerpt from the beginning of Simon Horobin's *Does Spelling Matter?*, and I remember thinking strongly as I worked through the exam questions, "I want to study the history of English in the Major in English and American Literature at the Keio Faculty of Letters."

However, when it came time to choose my major in the second half of my first year, I took a fresh look at the fact that the Keio Faculty of Letters offers 17 majors across diverse fields—not only literature but also philosophy, history, human relations, and library and information science. I explored what I could learn in each major, as well as my own interests, concerns, and aptitudes. It was then that I was drawn to the Major in Library and Information Science, which allowed me to explore a wide range of fields from library science to information retrieval. I decided to abandon the future I had envisioned since high school and pursue this major instead.

When I was a student, there was a rumor that the Major in Library and Information Science was one of the toughest of the 17 majors in terms of classes and assignments. However, once I entered the major, I found that wasn't the case at all. In fact, I enjoyed all the assignments (though some were quite challenging). For example, in a required second-year course called "Fundamentals of Information Media II," after learning the basic theories of information searching in the classroom, we had an assignment to actually walk around the library and find specific books from the collection using the OPAC and physical card catalogs.

It wasn't always straightforward, and some sessions were quite difficult, but it was also like a treasure hunt. Not just in "Fundamentals of Information Media II," but many classes in the Major in Library and Information Science were enjoyable because they involved many practical assignments that required us to get our hands dirty (and sometimes our feet moving), rather than just focusing on theoretical learning.

Also, through tackling these assignments, I was able to build friendships that have lasted to this day, long after graduation, as we went through trial and error, exchanged ideas, and encouraged each other. Wandering through the second basement floor of the Mita Media Center and struggling with unfamiliar programming in the PC room are now very precious memories.

Having discovered the joy of learning during my university life and being drawn to the field of information processing, which I specialized in during my seminar, I became an IT consultant after graduation, a role that seemed to satisfy both interests. In fact, at my company, I am constantly required to learn about new products and technologies, and I feel every day that the study habits I cultivated at the Keio Faculty of Letters are serving me well. There are also moments when the knowledge I gained in classes and seminars in the Major in Library and Information Science is directly useful, such as when searching for technical documents for specification research or error analysis, or when conducting development and testing. At those times, I feel grateful to my professors from back then and, at the same time, nostalgic for my student days.

Looking back on my student life now as a working professional, I realize how much I benefited from the curriculum that allows students to choose their major in their second year. I had an unexpected, fateful encounter with library and information science, pursued it, and alongside it, was able to freely explore and learn about various other fields beyond it, following my intellectual curiosity. Those days were fresh and enjoyable every day. Not only has my learning in the Major in Library and Information Science led to my current career, but the knowledge from various fields I took as general education or specialized education courses—such as mathematics, astronomy, the history of English, and psychology—has become a part of me, adding to my personal depth. I believe the Keio Faculty of Letters is a place that has had a major impact on my life. On the foundation built at the Keio Faculty of Letters, I hope to continue to build my future learning and grow into an intellectually and spiritually enriched person.