“Learn about Various Perspectives and Cultures through Classes and Life at a Student Housing”
Hyogo / Fukiai High School Takanori Hamada
Jul 04, 2023
GLAP Students
Why did you choose to learn in GLAP?
I wanted to study at a university that has a liberal arts program or international liberal studies. Among those universities, I was particularly attracted to Rikkyo University's GLAP because of its “small class education” and many opportunities to communicate through discussions and presentations.
The high school I attended also focused on English education, and English discussion class was one of my favorite classes. Also, while studying various topics such as LGBTQ and child labor for my high school research project, I realized that it was important to see things from multiple perspectives. This made me interested in learning liberal arts in a college that offers the same kind of environment as my high school to broaden my perspectives and develop my study with global point of view using English.
The high school I attended also focused on English education, and English discussion class was one of my favorite classes. Also, while studying various topics such as LGBTQ and child labor for my high school research project, I realized that it was important to see things from multiple perspectives. This made me interested in learning liberal arts in a college that offers the same kind of environment as my high school to broaden my perspectives and develop my study with global point of view using English.
What kind of class is “Tutorial”, a compulsory class for 1st year GLAP students?
The student-teacher ratio in Tutorial class is 4 or 5: 1. While most GLAP classes are about sharing your thoughts and what you have researched using English, Tutorial is a class that helps students develop academic skills in understanding content and thinking critically about a topic. For example, in tutorial classes, the assignment is to read and summarize a portion of a book, and then students take turns presenting and have discussions. Each presentation is followed by feedback from the teacher, allowing students to improve their presentation, communication, and critical thinking skills. The most recent feedback I received from my teacher was that it is not only the content of the presentation that is important but also how it is delivered is another key factor of a presentation.
The academic skills acquired in Tutorial class can be implemented in other classes, and I believe that is the advantage of the class.
The academic skills acquired in Tutorial class can be implemented in other classes, and I believe that is the advantage of the class.
Do you feel there is any differences between learning styles in high school and in university?
Compare to input-oriented learning style in high school, I feel that “What I think” is more necessary in college. GLAP classes especially require pre-study and research as preparations for class presentations and discussions, and there are a lot of assignments. I think it is one of features of liberal arts studies, and there are far more opportunities to hear opinions from various perspectives and to be exposed to ideas that I have never thought of when I was in high school. Through these experiences, I am able to gain new insights and motivation, which I feel has led to my personal growth.
Also, in high school, English was considered an object to be studied, but at GLAP, there are many chances to use English not only in the classrooms but also in daily college life, and I feel that English has changed into a tool to be used for communication and thinking.
Also, in high school, English was considered an object to be studied, but at GLAP, there are many chances to use English not only in the classrooms but also in daily college life, and I feel that English has changed into a tool to be used for communication and thinking.
Why did you choose to live in a student housing and how do you feel about living there?
I live in Rikkyo Global House, an international residence hall, where many international students live. I decided to live in the residence because I thought it would be a valuable experience to live in an environment where I could interact with people from different cultural backgrounds outside the classrooms. Before coming to the residence hall, I thought there would be many students from Asia, but I was surprised to find out that there were many students from Europe.
Although the rooms in the residence are single rooms, there are many chances to interact with other students. For example, I ask other students for help when I am confused about an assignment, or I ask a German student a question about German, which I have chosen as my second foreign language course.
Also, at Global House, everyone cooks their own food. At dinner time, students gather in the kitchen and spend time cooking and eating together. It is interesting to see students from other countries cook. I can learn a lot about their cultures just from their food.
The residence holds events a few times a month, and recently we went on a day trip to Kawagoe. In addition to field trips, some events in the residence such as a baking workshop are held and they are open to all residents.
I tend to be the type of person who likes to spend time alone, but the life at the residence is very fulfilling for me as I have a good balance between time alone in my room and time with other students.
Although the rooms in the residence are single rooms, there are many chances to interact with other students. For example, I ask other students for help when I am confused about an assignment, or I ask a German student a question about German, which I have chosen as my second foreign language course.
Also, at Global House, everyone cooks their own food. At dinner time, students gather in the kitchen and spend time cooking and eating together. It is interesting to see students from other countries cook. I can learn a lot about their cultures just from their food.
The residence holds events a few times a month, and recently we went on a day trip to Kawagoe. In addition to field trips, some events in the residence such as a baking workshop are held and they are open to all residents.
I tend to be the type of person who likes to spend time alone, but the life at the residence is very fulfilling for me as I have a good balance between time alone in my room and time with other students.
*as of the time of this interview
