Purpose and Opportunity
Tokyo / Mita International School Jingyu Toyoshima
May 01, 2019
GLAP Students
The process and purpose of choosing GLAP
The commencement address delivered by Steve Jobs at Stanford University is tightly intertwined with why I chose GLAP.
In the address, I found it fascinating how Steve Jobs stated that life is about connecting the dots, which are mainly constructed by knowledge and experiences. However, he also says that “[y]ou can only connect them looking backwards”, and that “[y]ou have to trust that the dots will somehow connect in the future." Thus, in order to create valuable dots that will connect in the future, it is essential to do your best in each task you encounter. As for Steve Jobs's case, he dropped out of University and attended a calligraphy class and learned “what makes great typography great.” Soon after, he met Steve Wozniak during an internship and decided to invent a personal computer together. These two dots eventually connected and led to the creation of the beautiful typography in the Macintosh computers by Apple.
His commencement address persuaded me to choose GLAP, where I could take courses from multiple academic disciplines and network with diverse people. In the GLAP curriculum, we can study liberal arts in English and go abroad in the second year, and specialize in what we feel passionate about in the last two years. By looking at the characteristics and curriculum of GLAP, I have realized that it aligns with the mindset of Steve Jobs. Therefore, as mentioned above it can be said that we can accumulate numerous valuable dots through acquiring a wide range of knowledge and experiencing diversity, and eventually “connecting the dots” to drive toward our goals. Thus, if you have a dream and want to take an adventure to gain the knowledge, learning experience and network to materialize your dream, GLAP will be a perfect partner.
In the address, I found it fascinating how Steve Jobs stated that life is about connecting the dots, which are mainly constructed by knowledge and experiences. However, he also says that “[y]ou can only connect them looking backwards”, and that “[y]ou have to trust that the dots will somehow connect in the future." Thus, in order to create valuable dots that will connect in the future, it is essential to do your best in each task you encounter. As for Steve Jobs's case, he dropped out of University and attended a calligraphy class and learned “what makes great typography great.” Soon after, he met Steve Wozniak during an internship and decided to invent a personal computer together. These two dots eventually connected and led to the creation of the beautiful typography in the Macintosh computers by Apple.
His commencement address persuaded me to choose GLAP, where I could take courses from multiple academic disciplines and network with diverse people. In the GLAP curriculum, we can study liberal arts in English and go abroad in the second year, and specialize in what we feel passionate about in the last two years. By looking at the characteristics and curriculum of GLAP, I have realized that it aligns with the mindset of Steve Jobs. Therefore, as mentioned above it can be said that we can accumulate numerous valuable dots through acquiring a wide range of knowledge and experiencing diversity, and eventually “connecting the dots” to drive toward our goals. Thus, if you have a dream and want to take an adventure to gain the knowledge, learning experience and network to materialize your dream, GLAP will be a perfect partner.
Each day is full of opportunity in GLAP
In GLAP, there are countless opportunities to learn and improve yourself. The small class education system makes it possible to have close communication with the professors. For example, in the “Tutorial” class, we discuss global issues with the professor and 3 to 5 students, This means we can have deep, interesting, and productive discussions. Thus, I strongly believe that we can develop critical thinking skills and independence that are needed globally through these classes. This is one of many strengths of the GLAP curriculum and definitely a great opportunity for us students to learn and improve ourselves.
A Day on Campus
9:00 Sports Studies
Eat breakfast and head to school.
I usually arrive 15 minutes before the class begins to change clothes and prepare for the class.
Through this class, I was able to enhance not only my academic English skills but also my casual communication skills.
I usually arrive 15 minutes before the class begins to change clothes and prepare for the class.
Through this class, I was able to enhance not only my academic English skills but also my casual communication skills.
10:00 Advanced English
This is a project based class; therefore, I can learn effective ways to cooperate with others to achieve successful outcomes, while improving as I am improving my English skills.
12:00 Lunch
I usually eat lunch around the campus with my GLAP friends and exchange students. Mingling with friends who have diverse backgrounds helps me broaden my perspectives.
13:00 Economic Thought
In this class, we are given the opportunity to work with others to come up with effective solutions to numerous global problems. We have discussed topics such as “How will the concept of working change as the life expectancy continues to grow?”
I firmly believe that this class will improve my logical thinking skills and play a major role throughout my life.
I firmly believe that this class will improve my logical thinking skills and play a major role throughout my life.
15:00 Study
I study and prepare for upcoming classes in the courtyard lounge.
16:00 Part time job
I work as an English teacher in a cram school.
This job enables me to take an objective view of my English skills and improve my weaknesses through teaching others. In addition, it is a good practice to share the knowledge and give clear, detailed, understandable explanations.
This job enables me to take an objective view of my English skills and improve my weaknesses through teaching others. In addition, it is a good practice to share the knowledge and give clear, detailed, understandable explanations.
21:00 I get home, eat dinner, and get ready for the next day ’s classes.
I make sure to finish the assignments on time since students' grade are determined on the basis of in-class points (e.g. class examinations, report submissions and class performance) in almost all classes of GLAP.
*as of the time of this interview
