GLOBAL LEADER COLLEGE

"I wanted to work on a global scale, so I joined the international sales headquarters of a major telecommunications company."

By taking the GLC course, my dream of "working on a global stage" became a reality. Even when I was struggling with my job search, I was determined to never lose sight of the "global" axis. Currently, I work in the international sales department of a major information and communications company, in charge of various tasks dealing with customers around the world. In addition to being able to pursue an international career path, the biggest benefit of this program is that it has given me the big dream of becoming a global leader.

"I want to do something for the people of emerging and developing countries."

My dream since childhood is to work in a position that expands the possibilities of people living in emerging and developing countries. To achieve this, I would like to gain experience working with people from overseas and also try to go on to graduate school. I also want to "make Soka University the best in the world in both name and reality to repay the kindness of our world-class founder," and "make Soka University the best in the world to bring happiness to people all over the world." I will work hard with my friends who studied with me at GLC to give back to Soka University.

"GLC has a broad perspective, a sense of mission, and a clear vision of what needs to be done."

At GLC, I learned to "always paint a big vision." In the course, the phrase "Think Globally, Act Locally" was mentioned many times, and Lecturer seemed to live by it. No matter how limited your own abilities may seem, it is important to keep a broad perspective and sense of mission, and then carry out the tasks that are in front of you.

"I want to use what I've learned at GLC to succeed on the world stage."

I would like to try going on business trips and being stationed overseas while I'm in my 30s. In particular, I would like to work in China or other emerging Asian countries. I would like to develop and utilize my skills to the fullest in a country that is poised to achieve growth. Currently, I am involved in the power generation equipment business, but around 2030, I would like to work closer to consumers, and my dream is to work on product development planning or business strategy.

"I learned what is necessary to become a global leader."

GLC taught me what I needed to do to materialize my vague desire to become a global leader. It wasn't just about learning about the mindset and knowledge required for a leader. It was an invaluable experience to learn through practical discussions with GLC members.

"I want to contribute to the economic development of Asia"

I would like to experience being stationed overseas by the time I'm in my 30s. Specifically, I would like to work in an area in Asia, which is where my current job is, and contribute to local economic development. To that end, I am currently honing my management and proposal skills in my current job, and am also working hard to improve my English. In the future, I would like to utilize my experience to work in corporate planning.

"GLC taught me everything from how to plan my career to how to live my life"

Through the activities and encounters I had at GLC, I learned many things, such as how to map out my career and how to think from multiple angles. I also feel like I was taught how to live life itself. I had vaguely thought, "I'll work at an NGO after I graduate from university!", but I decided to work for my current company because I was able to realistically design my life through GLC. Thinking about a concrete plan helped me clarify where I would like to work for my first job. Even in my current job, I am always able to keep my sights on my goals and communicate with my dreams.

"I want to solve the problem of world poverty"

As the founder said, "The value of a university is determined by its graduates," I would like to dedicate my life to contributing to the development of Soka University. To achieve this, I would like to embody through my own way of life the idea that Soka University is a university where each and every student can realize their dreams. In the future, I would like to realize my dream since middle school by working for an NGO or an organization such as JICA, which is involved in solving global poverty issues.

"We have made friends who will work together to aim for the world"

I learned from my GLC colleagues and senior staff members, who are also aiming for the world, that it is important to have a strong desire to achieve your goals. Thanks to the support of the GLC staff, I was able to keep in mind that I would definitely work in the world someday. As a result, I was able to study abroad in China and pursue my current career path at a global company.

"I want to acquire expertise and lead the world in the field of health."

I want to play an active role on the world stage and continue to directly contribute to the development of Soka University. To achieve this, my dream is to take up a leadership position at my current company's headquarters (in the US) and work as a female global leader. I would like to utilize the experience I have gained in sales at my current company, which allows me to contribute to people's health, and work as a project leader in a department that requires global collaboration. To achieve this, I will need a variety of expertise. In the future, I would like to work on the tasks at hand while also acquiring expertise, and do work that leads the world from the perspective of health.

"I was able to find the courage to take another step forward and set a big goal with my friends."

"Even if there is something you can't do now, you can do it if you work hard from now on!" I wanted to live up to the expectations of my seniors who always encouraged me, so I worked hard with my classmates to hone my logical thinking, English and other skills in classes. I think that the determination to take that extra step forward even in difficult times and the attitude of trying to achieve big goals together with my peers were recognized and led me to my current career path.

"Live a life of putting yourself in the other person's shoes and contributing to people around the world."

I would like to contribute greatly to the development of the university through my work, and in the future, I would like to live a life that contributes to people all over the world. With New York, the US, where I studied, as my base, I would like to contribute to society and the world as a professional who supports the growth and development of companies and public organizations. Towards this goal, I would like to hone not only my skills in accounting and finance, but also, above all, my character, which is "willing to put myself in the other person's shoes and do my best to help others."

"It gave me the opportunity to work in a problem-solving field."

At GLC, I learned the joy of problem solving. I believe that led to my current career choice. At GLC, learning activities were held in the form of group competitions, in which participants were asked to present solutions to problems faced by specific companies or countries. Through this competition, I began to think that I wanted to work in a position that involved supporting problem solving, and so I chose to work at my current company.

"Becoming a leader who can bring out the potential in people"

By 2030, I want to be a leader who can protect the most vulnerable and bring out their potential. I aim to be a leader who takes care to ensure that those at the bottom of the organization can perform to their full potential and whose achievements are recognized as an organization. This is my image of a global leader based on my experiences at GLC and Soka University. I still have a lot to learn, but I will continue to learn from the wonderful superiors and colleagues around me and grow greedily.

"I learned the importance of working hard for someone else."

The biggest thing I learned was that "the thought of doing things for the founder and for Soka University is my greatest driving force." I felt that the seniors who ran the course all had this thought in their hearts even after they graduated, and I learned the importance of working hard not for yourself, but for someone else, at GLC. With this thought in mind, I felt I was able to carve out my current career path as I took on the challenge of job hunting.

"I want to contribute to establishing a positive position for women in companies around the world."

I want to be a female leader who can look back with confidence and pride on the path I have walked, with the goal of contributing to the development of Soka University in my heart. To achieve this, I would like to develop the ability to always be ambitious and lead those around me. In the company, I would like to be a female leader who is a leading expert in overseas markets. As a graduate of Soka University, I want to contribute to establishing the status of women in the company. I would like to go on business trips overseas frequently and continue to work on the world stage. And I would like to work to bring smiles to people all over the world, working towards my dream of "launching an overseas cosmetics brand."

"GLC: I felt the weight of what I had to shoulder as a leader"

What I learned at GLC is the awareness of "contributing to others." I learned various skills in the course, but what I remember most is the seriousness of Lecturer' attitude towards the students, which came from their strict love for them. They didn't simply teach the skills, but always explained why and what they were necessary to become global leaders. One thing they always mentioned was the awareness of contributing to others beyond one's own frame. I felt the breadth of Lecturer' worldview and the depth of what they shoulder as leaders.

"I want to challenge the unfair system and people's resignation."

In a global organization with a highly public-spirited approach, I want to minimize inequality of opportunity caused by poverty and other factors. It all started with my interactions with people living in slums during my time studying abroad in the Philippines. Until then, I had always thought of people living in poverty as those who lacked money or skills, but after interacting with them for several months, I realized the potential each person possessed, and I began to want to challenge the unfair systems that confine that potential and the people's resignation. My ultimate dream is to use these experiences to share with my juniors at Soka schools around the world.

"I learned the importance of having faith."

What I gained most was the importance of having conviction. I joined GLC because I admired the talented seniors, but what I felt when I interacted with them directly was the spirit and conviction I had cultivated at Soka University, more than any special skills or expertise. Not only did I improve my thinking skills and ability to advance projects, but I was also taught how I should be as a graduate of Soka University. I also learned from my seniors how to contribute to others and society, rather than just being self-satisfied. Through these experiences, I decided that I wanted to work in the financial industry, which I was interested in, and to work in a job that would help those who need money the most, and so I chose my current profession.

"I want to gain expertise in finance and try my hand at working in the public sector."

In the future, I would like to work on creating financial mechanisms to improve society. Through my studies and experiences, I have become interested in both the positive and negative aspects of finance, and I want to provide a mechanism that can contribute to social stability and the improvement of people's lives. To achieve this, I would like to first gain knowledge and experience at a private financial institution, and eventually try to work in the public sector. While doing my best in my daily work, I am also challenging myself to acquire specialized knowledge and improve my language skills with an eye to the next 7 to 10 years. I am most proud of being a graduate of GLC and Soka University, and I strongly feel that I want to be a graduate who opens up the possibilities of my juniors through my own achievements in society.

"I learned the importance of GLC Commitment"

I was able to feel the five principles in all the courses and projects at GLC, and I always tried to keep the commitment in mind during my student life. Whenever I had a problem while studying abroad or job hunting, I was able to maintain my motivation by always remembering the five commitments. After thinking long and hard about "I want to become someone who can contribute to others as a global leader," I was able to get my current job, which is related to people's lives.

"Towards bright and strong female leaders who will brighten the lives of people around the world"

My dream is to "brighten the lives of people around the world." While studying abroad in China, I visited poor areas and witnessed people living without lights and safe water, and I decided that I wanted to provide an environment where many people could live safely. Currently, I work in domestic sales, dealing with products related to people's lives. I would like to learn thoroughly what kind of products are in demand, how to sell them, and how to be of use to customers, and gain the skills and confidence to work in overseas businesses and realize my dream. I will grow into a bright, strong female leader who can encourage people at any time, so that I can give back to the many people who have helped me and to Soka University.

"I learned that it is possible to solve the world's problems from a business perspective."

At GLC's Revolution Project, I learned the great potential of business. At the time, I was vaguely thinking of working for an international organization or an NGO as my future career path. However, through my involvement in the Revolution Project, which was to solve Thailand's structural problems from a business perspective, I learned that the role that business can play in solving global problems is limitless. This experience led me to seriously consider in what field I would like to support children in poor areas through my subsequent study abroad. As a result, I came to the conclusion that I would like to contribute to creating a society where children can live in peace by improving infrastructure, and decided on my current career path in the general electronics industry.

"To become a female leader who can reach out to those in distress"

By 2030, I want to be a female leader with the conviction to put down roots in poor areas. I believe that whether I can achieve the dream I set out for myself in college will depend on the challenges I face after I enter the workforce, so I want to improve my expertise through the work I am currently involved in and build a foundation in my 20s to be able to take on new challenges in my 30s and 40s. I am convinced that identifying the causes of problems that arise at work and being conscious of not stopping to think will help me in the future, so I am turning my daily work into training. I will not forget the guideline I learned at Soka University that "universities are for people who could not go to college," and I will be proud to be a Soka University student for the rest of my life and develop the ability to reach out to those who are in the greatest difficulty.

"I have decided to contribute to Argentina in the future."

At GLC, I was able to study alongside highly motivated seniors who aimed to become global leaders. Through my interactions with my peers, seniors, and Lecturer, I was able to set a goal of growing into a world leader by 2030. I also made a firm decision to definitely contribute to my home country of Argentina in the future, and was able to work toward that goal in a planned manner. What I learned at GLC is the foundation for my current job at a global company that embodies diversity.

"To become someone who can be involved in Argentina's economic strategy"

My dream is to contribute to Argentina in the economic field. Specifically, I want to work in a department involved in national economic projects and be involved in reforming the Argentine economy. To achieve this, I would like to first gain experience in economic work in Japan, a representative of developed economies. I would also like to be constantly aware of the market through work in finance and consulting, and gain the ability to analyze the world economy and society from a global perspective. After that, I would like to use my experience in Japan to build my career while obtaining an MBA at a university abroad in Europe, and finally return to Argentina and become a person involved in work related to economic strategy. My ultimate dream is to spread the greatness of Soka University founder, Mr. Ikeda, and the spirit of Soka University to the world from Argentina.

"Continue to challenge problems that have no answers"

I learned about GLC when I visited Soka University in my second year of high school and talked to a senior student who was taking the course. He told me, "The ability to solve problems without answers is more important than the ability to correctly solve problems with answers, and GLC provides many training opportunities to acquire this ability." In my high school life, I was often forced to make decisions when there were no clear answers, and I felt helpless. Therefore, the words of my senior struck me deeply, and I was determined to enter GLC if I entered Soka University.

"Training critical thinking skills"

The most memorable course was the Critical Thinking course. GLC's Thinking-themed courses include a lot of training in analyzing multiple pieces of information and drawing conclusions. In this Critical Thinking course, we learned through workshops about the methods and ways of thinking to determine whether the information we use when analyzing is appropriate in the first place. Through this course, I was able to learn firsthand the importance of always looking critically at things that are considered common sense in the world.

"Towards a Sustainable Society"

My dream for the future is to be involved in achieving the "Sustainable Development Goals" set by the United Nations as a global leader. It all started with a class on environmental economics at university. I learned about the limitations and drawbacks of modern society, where economic growth and technological progress are the goals, and I began to think that I wanted to be involved in solving problems facing society in order to create a sustainable society. I am still trying to decide what kind of job I will take up to achieve this goal. However, I would like to first travel to various places during my student days and see the current state of the world with my own eyes, so that I can view the problems occurring on Earth as "my problems."

"I want to be active on the world stage too!"

Determined to study hard at university and acquire the skills to play an active role in society, I attended the GLC information session immediately after enrollment. There, I saw GLC alumni who were active in society after graduation, and my desire to become a person who can help people on the world stage, like my seniors, was strengthened. Also, when I saw the mock discussion held by the seniors at the GLC information session, I was overwhelmed by how smoothly and quickly they were able to wrap up the heated discussion. Having had a frustrating experience of not being able to lead a discussion well in class, I wanted to gain the skills to lead a discussion at GLC and be active in society, so I decided to apply to GLC.

"Develop the ability to elicit, summarize, and deepen opinions"

The course that has stayed in my mind is the facilitation course, where I learned how to get participants involved and promote lively discussions. Before taking this course, I thought that the important thing in advancing a discussion was to express one's own opinion as much as possible. However, through the group work in this course, I learned that the ability to draw out the opinions of others, summarize them, and even deepen their opinions is also important. Since then, I have tried to speak objectively about things rather than getting too caught up in expressing my own opinion, and to draw out and summarize the opinions of my team members, always striving to create better forums for discussion. I also keep what I learned at GLC in mind and put it into practice in various opportunities such as classes and seminars.

"Work hard at the course, overcome your weaknesses, and become aware of your strengths and weaknesses."

I was able to overcome my weaknesses through the discussion course at GLC. I used to have difficulty in summarizing discussions and determining the main points during discussions, but by learning how to approach discussions in the course, I was able to actively participate in discussions, which I had previously struggled with. Also, there were many opportunities for discussion in all courses at GLC, so I was able to immediately put what I learned into practice in other courses. When I first joined GLC, I sometimes found it difficult to identify my strengths. However, by putting my all into all the courses, I was able to clearly recognize my strengths and weaknesses. Now, I make the most of my strengths and strive to overcome my weaknesses in my daily life.

"I want to contribute to society in the field of teacher education."

In the future, I would like to be involved in teacher education in developing countries. Through my study tour to Cambodia and my studies at the faculty, I felt that education is greatly influenced by teachers. Therefore, by being involved in teacher education in the future, I would like to contribute to education, which the founder himself said was his "final business." In addition, problems such as poverty, bullying, and school absenteeism among children who will carry the future are becoming more serious. Therefore, as a teacher in the field, I would like to work on solving these problems. I would like to become an educator who devotes himself to the happiness of children and create a peaceful future.