Another Possibility in Life I Discovered at Keio University

I majored in art at my high school in my home country. I was drawn to the school life depicted in Japanese anime and movies, and I began to strongly envision a dream of 'studying in Japan someday.' To make that dream a reality, I spent a long time preparing to study abroad.

While studying for the entrance examination for international students, I became particularly interested in the field of politics. Unlike the classes I had taken up to high school, I was fascinated by the excitement of analyzing society and politics from an international perspective. Therefore, I decided to apply to the Department of Political Science, Faculty of Law, Keio University, where I could study political science broadly and deepen my interests through seminars.

The first major barrier I faced as an international student was language. Although I had passed the entrance exam, keeping up with the speed of actual classes and daily conversations was by no means easy. However, the faculty and students were very kind and always supported me warmly. Encouraged by their support and advice, I gradually gained the confidence to express my opinions in Japanese, and now I can actively participate in academic discussions.

At Keio University, there are many opportunities not only to acquire knowledge but also to hone one's expressive and practical skills. In seminars, through repeated discussions and presentations with my peers, I cultivated the ability to see things from multiple perspectives and to logically construct my own thoughts. Moreover, learning and growing together with peers who share the same goals has been a valuable experience for me.

Walking through the campus, I see students walking briskly under the evening lights, people studying earnestly in the library, and cheerful voices echoing from the gymnasium—each of these scenes makes me feel that 'this is where I belong.' In another year, I will leave this place and begin a new journey. However, the spirit of 'independence and self-respect' and 'jitsugaku (science)' that I learned at Keio University will surely be a reliable guide to light up my future. These brief but intense days at Keio are a lifelong treasure deeply etched in my heart.

A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step—my journey, which started with that small first step, will continue on.