Through first-hand explorations in Ritsumeikan studies, I realized interesting findings are embedded in our daily lives.

What attracted you to apply from Vietnam to the College of International Relations at Ritsumeikan University, and what motivated you to study Global Studies?

LinhSince I was a middle school student, I have been interested in Japanese pop culture and language in the media, which represents a country with a special mixture of ‘modernity’ and ‘tradition.’ This later motivated me to learn more about Japan through studying abroad. Especially, Ritsumeikan University has a good reputation and ranking within Japan and worldwide, with a highly diverse environment and several scholarship opportunities.

However, there are more reasons why I chose to pursue Global Studies here. As a student of foreign languages for 10 years plus, I have carried my passion for multi-cultural communication and connections. From my observations and experiences abroad, a diverse context is not always enjoyable but can also denote misunderstandings and discrimination. What I hope to do is to find ways to make up for such gaps and connect foreign residents with the Japanese community. I strongly believe that deepening my knowledge of Global Studies can also help my future career in international fields.

After enrolling, how has your perception of the College of International Relations changed?

LinhPeople always asked me: “International Relations? Does that mean you are studying politics and will become a diplomat?” At first, I also used to have the same impression about this major, but it does not necessarily have to be that way. Studying IR/GS means you are broadening your viewpoint, instead of taking everything for granted. Even your pure hobbies, like anime, games, or the food that you eat, can become your research topics in consideration of our fast-changing world, where borders among nations are becoming blurred. In this way, I have developed a critical thinking mind that does not stop being curious about my surroundings. How does the world become that way? What is missing from the picture? What can be done differently? I can gradually find out by connecting the dots, among many fields, such as economics, politics, history, society, media, and culture.

In addition, the College of IR has helped me expand not only my thinking skills, but also how to apply knowledge to reality through different class activities. For example, professors have always encouraged me to conduct ethnography research by immersing myself in the environment and getting to know the people. Additionally, the Global Simulation Gaming course gave me the chance to “become” a foreign relations officer, which helped me learn how to collaborate and negotiate to achieve common goals. In my upcoming Peace Studies Seminar, we will have our fieldwork in Hiroshima to learn how peace education is presented in museums. Although people tend to feel academia so distant and abstract, throughout my studies with first-hand explorations, I have realized that interesting knowledge is actually embedded in our daily lives that we might not know.

So far at Ritsumeikan University, how do you feel you have grown, what skills have you obtained, and what do you think you have learned?

LinhAnyone who knew me before was surprised because of how much I have changed throughout the four years in Ritsumeikan. Since I used to be a shy kid, I feel that I have grown more confident in my communication and presentation skills, which were shaped throughout several classes with discussions, teamwork and presentations. I think that generally in the Asian educational environment, there are not many schools that did well in developing these skills for students. This could not have been done without special encounters with professors and classmates from around the world at this university, with whom I found intriguing insights, support and friendship.

During this time, I have engaged in a number of activities that contributed to my growth. From my second year, I participated in the English Oritor (Orientation Coordinator) group, which supports new students in their first semesters. Additionally, as an Education Supporter in the Liberal Arts Seminar and Global Simulation Gaming, I also helped peer students to smoothly engage in discussions and presented academic work examples in class. Therefore, I believe that Ritsumeikan has offered me several opportunities to challenge something new and express myself better. Now I enjoy making new friends and working together to find out solutions to our problems.

Please share your most fulfilling activity or most unforgettable experience while at Ritsumeikan University.

LinhOne of my most fulfilling activities is being the Co-founder and Treasurer of Ritsumeikan Food Bank, an Alumni Human Resources Development Scholarship winning organization that aims to solve food insecurity and food loss on campus. In collaboration with some professors and the NPO Food Bank Kyoto, we founded this student group because of our own experiences during COVID-19, when campus life was difficult due to lockdowns. Since its establishment in 2021, we have been supporting students with hundreds of food portions annually.

LinhAlthough we faced some challenges along the way, we were able to overcome them together with a lot of good memories. Whenever receiving a little note in the distribution box that says: “Thank you Food Bank,” we suddenly forgot about all the stresses. The Ritsumeikan Food Bank has now grown with a lot of members coming from different backgrounds. Through this, I was further motivated to take positive actions for the community.

What are your plans after graduation? What made you pursue them?

LinhLeo Tolstoy (and one of my professors) once said, “Everyone thinks of changing the world, but no one thinks of changing himself.” To create social impacts, I need to continuously learn about and adapt to this diverse world, which I believe I have been able to achieve to some degree during the years at Ritsumeikan. After graduation, I am aiming for a graduate school to continue researching migration, human resources and aid. One reason is that in my graduation thesis, I have had the chance to delve into the trend of Vietnamese student mobility and the intersection between education-migration-labor against the backdrop of inequality. I have to say I was quite proud of the work I did, and I hope that I can expand and share the knowledge in my academic journey. Although I don’t have a clear plan yet, in the future, I am leaning towards the types of careers that offer me meaningful opportunities to help minorities, for example, in NGOs or international organizations.

Could you send some messages to prospective students for the College of International Relations at Ritsumeikan University?

LinhComing to university feels like entering a mysterious forest. You might come here just by chance and feel lost at times, but your objectives can be found along the way. No matter what route you take, every experience at university will be a good learning opportunity with a lot of surprises unpacked. Remember that you have the freedom to try, make mistakes, and speak your opinions, so don’t ever be afraid. I am sure that at the end of the journey, after you make it out of the forest, you will figure out what you are good at and what you need to do to realize your dreams.

I am grateful that Ritsumeikan has given me this chance to discover both the outer and inner worlds. So, if you are looking for positive changes, inspirations, or simply different viewpoints about the international society, you are always welcome at our College of IR!

July 2024