VOICES

College of Business, International Business Dept. 4th year student
Ms. Nao Ueda

One of the things I felt I lacked was language skill. Having focused on learning Korean during my university life, and since I heard that students from Korea would be coming to this program, I challenged myself to communicate actively not only in English but also in Korean. However, I wasn’t able to be confident in expressing my opinions and struggled to convey nuances accurately, similar to my native language. Nonetheless, the frustration of not being able to convey my thoughts during this program served as motivation for future language studies, helping me identify what I still need to improve. Simultaneously, the experience of communicating, even imperfectly, with other languages, changed my perspective, allowing me to feel that it's not necessary to be perfect in a language to challenge myself with various tasks and grow through communication with people.

I also realized my limited knowledge about Japan during this program. When visiting a museum in Beijing, there were exhibits about the history of Japan and China, but I had to listen to a Singaporean's explanation and learn about the situation. Going abroad made me strongly aware of being Japanese, and I realized that my opinions would be seen as representing Japan. Therefore, I felt the need to learn more about Japan and its history.

Additionally, our group presented information about each country’s cuisine in the final presentation. I realized that Asian countries share similarities and have unique cultures when it comes to dining rules. Learning about Japan can help deepen understanding of other Asian countries through the differences between Japan and those countries.

Furthermore, through interactions with students from other universities, I had the opportunity to hear about their aspirations and actions for the future. Seeing how they articulated their desires and actions inspired me to think about my own path. Witnessing them express their desires and aspirations with clarity made me reflect more seriously on my own goals.

Through this summer intensive program, I realized that in a society that is becoming increasingly globalized, language proficiency is important as a means of communication, but it's equally important to be proactive in seeking communication and having my own opinions . With different cultures come diverse values and ways of thinking. Even if my opinions differ, by not fearing those differences, not rejecting others' opinions, and effectively conveying my own thoughts, I think it can foster new discoveries and perspectives based on diverse opinions and values.

In addition, I learned that communication is not solely dependent on language. Gestures, typing, and sharing the same space and time are also forms of communication. While I recognize the importance of language as a means to build deeper relationships and will continue to study it, I also understand that being proactive in communication through various means is essential in a global society and in interactions with people.

This summer intensive program not only provided me with discoveries from experiencing China from the inside but also allowed me to learn from the perspectives of students from other countries. Comparing and contrasting the cultural differences between China and Japan and gaining insights from other countries' viewpoints allowed me to think more comprehensively about various topics.