Journey of Growth at SIPS: Intercultural Peacebuilding Through Sports and Language

Evan Kouichi Short, from Australia, is a SIPS graduate of the 6th batch. In 2018, he enrolled into the Soka University English Medium Program (EMP) in the Faculty of Letters, graduating in 2022. Later, he was admitted into the SIPS program, where he completed his master’s degree from 2023 to 2025. Evan’s decision to join SIPS was influenced by a close friendship with a senior in SIPS, who introduced him to the field of international relations, peace studies, and conflict resolution. Specifically, he was drawn to examining the role of sports in peacebuilding by looking at how it can bridge divides of ethnicity, race, and religion, while also recognizing its potential to generate conflict, which eventually became the topic of his master’s thesis during his time at SIPS.

Evan’s two years in SIPS came with many challenges, especially in adapting to a rigorous academic environment and shaping his own research methodology for his master’s thesis. At times, he felt uncertain about his direction as his interests spanned multiple fields. However, he was able to refine his focus because of the encouragement of professors and the exchange of ideas with fellow SIPS cohorts. Through this process, Evan learned the importance of remaining open and critically analyzing multiple issues before making a conclusion. These challenges and achievements were vital to his personal and intellectual growth, as they taught him resilience, curiosity, and the value of dialogue in building understanding.

After graduating from SIPS, Evan started working as a program manager of the World Language Center Self Access Center at Soka University. In this role, he manages language programs and coordinates international student staff who facilitate sessions for mostly Japanese students. SIPS has deeply influenced his career path by strengthening his commitment to intercultural communication, and the promotion of lifelong, autonomous learning. The values of inclusivity, dialogue, and peacebuilding that he cultivated during SIPS continue to guide his professional contributions in the area of language education.

For the current and prospective SIPS students, Evan encourages us to see ourselves as part of a broader mission to address pressing social challenges. He emphasizes that SIPS is not only about academic studies but also about engaging in dialogue and building friendships. Evan emphasized, “Every discussion you engage in, every task you conduct will add to a greater movement towards harmony and dignity. Stay curious. The world needs you with your voices and new ideas.” While every SIPS student may have different interests, we all share the same determination, to discover what is happening in society and what can be done to solve them through critical thinking.