Student's Voice

　Since I entered Doshisha University, I am embracing the academic freedom here. Before entering Doshisha University, I was a teacher at a Chinese university for 5 years. However, I quit my job due to my strong interest in Japanese-Chinese culture which lead me to Japan. This is my second study abroad (I have previously obtained a master's degree in design from Australia).
　I was, and still am surprised that the Graduate School of Global Studies (GS) offers a consistent, international education that I find rare in Japanese universities. Students and teachers from all over the world are working together to create an international research environment. Compared to previous Australian universities, GS provides an excellent environment that fuses East Asian traditions represented by Japan and China with Western disciplines. There is also a great deal of freedom in terms of class format and curriculum. I feel that this is the best environment for studying social culture.
　My current research theme is "Teresa Teng", along with the background of the interaction of popular culture between China and Japan from the 1980s. My seminar professor, Professor Ou QIAN has provided us with the optimal environment and materials for our research on this theme. The research environment at GS is extremely convenient. During my stay, my plan is to make full use of the resources here to dig deeper and complete my academic research.

　　宗教と暴力というテーマに関心があった私が、はじめての一人旅の目的地に選んだのはインドでした。意気込んで訪れた先々で、むき出しの生と死に衝撃を受け、帰国したときには10キロ体重が減っていたことを思い出します。タイの南部、ムスリムが多数派を占める国境地域に関心をもつようになったのは、インドの旅から帰国した私を受入れてくれた指導教官の影響があります。南部での調査経験がある先生から、仏教国だと思っていた微笑みの国タイ（その後、それほど微笑みの国でないことも知りました）にムスリムの地域がある、そこではタイからの分離独立運動が生じているということを教わりました。一度大学を出ましたが、やはり学びたいと思った時にチャンスを与えてくれたのが、グローバル・スタディーズ研究科です。危険地域だからと止められることもなく、多様性に富んだ自由な環境で、特定のイシューを様々なアプローチから理解する姿勢を学びました。
　　ディシプリンが無いと研究は難しい、という気持ちがあることは否定できません。しかし、最初から型にはめてしまわず、そのイシューのもつ面白さ自体を研究として伸ばしていく。グローバル・スタディーズ研究科で学んだのは、物事に対する気構え、そしてサバイバル能力でした。グローバル・スタディーズ研究科で得られた経験を生かしながら、これからは学びつつも知識を社会に還元していく段階に入ったのだと身の引き締まる思いです。

　It was October 2016 when I joined The Graduate School of Global Studies through African Business Education Initiative, the JICA (Japan International Cooperation Agency) Scholarship for Master Program and graduated on September 2018. During the phase of writing the application, we were supposed to choose schools and universities from a long list of universities all over Japan that are participating in the ABE Program. Doshisha’s Global Studies’ Program seemed very interesting and covering various topics from a global perspective. It was one of my needs as someone works in the international relations and business fields back home in Egypt. By checking Doshisha’s website and profile, I also found it is a Muslim-friendly university and as a Muslim that was an extra point for me.
　I came to Kyoto and Doshisha and I loved the school buildings’ designs, the school’s unique location in the heart of the beautiful Kyoto and the easy access to almost everywhere. I liked the curriculum, the researchers’ room, school’s facilities, supporting staff, cool professors, different activities such as SEED’s activities and international students’ affairs facilities and activities, Career Adviser Center, students’ counselor support, Ramdan’s Iftar Party, Prayers’ room, Halal meals in the Cafeteria and much more. The good reputation and high ranking of Doshisha among Japanese universities, in general, make you feel proud to be part of Doshisha and proud to belong to such a recognized academic institution.
　Of course, some troubles happened, but the staff was listening and genuinely tried to help in fixing those troubles. Generally speaking, the atmosphere was really supporting to get the best of your experience in Doshisha`s years in/outside school. That is available for all Doshisha students, and add to that in my case, I had an extremely supportive supervisor, kind seminar fellows, funny cool friends among other international and Japanese students, and very nice JICE coordinators inside school and in JICE office, who always made me feel I’m not lone and that I have a strong backup in Japan.
　At last, after two years in the Graduate School of Global Studies with all the experiences I had, the good friends I met, the places I visited during these two years, the warm memories I made, I have zero regrets and I believe it was definitely an amazingly rich experience that I did enjoy and learned a lot from.