Message for my Parents - Miki Naito
Miki Naito
Faculty of International Liberal Arts (FILA)
-What feelings would you like to convey to your parents now?
I am filled with gratitude. My days at the Faculty of International Liberal Arts were not easy; it was an environment where I had to push myself every day. Thanks to my parents' constant support, I eventually learned to enjoy such a challenging environment. They shared in my joys and sorrows whenever my TOEFL scores were released, making these four years at the FILA a journey we walked together as a family. The understanding I gained about different cultures greatly changed my mindset and gave me the dream of contributing more to the world. With gratitude to my family and the perseverance, English skills, and initiative I developed at the Faculty of International Liberal Arts, I am determined to keep striving!
-Do you have any memorable experiences with your parents during your student life?
Despite my struggles to improve my TOEFL scores, my parents continued to support me. When I was crying because I couldn't reach my target score, they believed in me more than I did myself, reassuring me that "everything would be okay." Their unwavering faith allowed me to achieve the target score. On the day of every TOEFL test, they drove me to the station, and after each exam, the first thing I did was call them to share how I felt about the test. They listened with genuine interest to what I learned in my classes and my daily experiences at the FILA, and they were amazed at my growth over these four years.
Through studying English, I was exposed to diverse cultures, reflected on my own identity, and gained a clearer view of both the strengths and weaknesses of Japan. In a world that upholds the principles of cosmopolitanism, I am determined to become someone who can genuinely contribute to world peace using my English skills.
