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Report on the guest lecture (Ms. Arbenita Sopaj, Global Japan Peacebuilding Association)
Arbenita Sopaj, from Global Japan Peacebuilding Association, was invited as guest lecturer at the Professional Workshop (English class: led by Pr. Mayumi Yamada).
The class was very excited by encounter with a relatively rare guest from the Republic of Kosovo. Recognizing that it is not easy to meet people from Kosovo and that they have heard the name but have no information or knowledge about the country, the students studied a lot about Kosovo before the lecture.
Dr. Sopaj talked about her upbringing, her experiences pursuing two master's degrees in Poland and Kobe University and a PhD at Kobe University, why she decided to pursue a PhD at a university in Japan and the influence of her life in Japan. The young students also talked about their lives and families and actively asked questions about what they are learning in Japan, their dreams and worries for the future.
Dr. Sopaj also kindly and politely answered personal questions from the students, such as the timing and significance of pursuing a master's or doctoral degree, tips on balancing marriage and study. She candidly talked about her family's reaction when she decided to leave her homeland and her own inner conflicts. In this way, Dr. Sopaj, who believed in the importance of education and seeing the wider world, impressed the students.