【WHY SOKA FILA】-The reason why I chose SOKA FILA-
Ms. Mifu Ishihara is a 3rd year student of the Faculty of International Liberal Arts (FILA). She talked why she chose Soka University and FILA, and how she feels about FILA.
Profile
Name: Mifu Ishihara
Year Enrolled in FILA: 2022
Grade: 3rd year
Home Country: Japan
Why did you choose Soka University and FILA?
One major reason was simply that I loved English. Despite my tendency to lose interest in things quickly, English was the one thing I had consistently continued since kindergarten. Additionally, when I went on a homestay program to the United States during middle school, I was disappointed with my English skills and strongly felt the desire to improve so that I could communicate better. That experience motivated me to study harder, and I felt that pursuing this path would provide the ideal environment for me.
Another major reason was that, apart from English and languages, I didn’t have anything else I particularly wanted to study. In the Faculty of International Liberal Arts, I can start by broadly studying English and other subjects, and then discover a field I’m interested in and delve deeper into it. That’s why I felt this faculty was the perfect fit for me.
What are your impressions of student life at FILA?
To be honest, it was far tougher than I had ever imagined! Especially during my first and second years, I was completely overwhelmed by the sheer amount of assignments for the required courses, and I think I studied more during that time than at any other point in my life. However, as I tackled all those assignments while balancing my student life, I feel that even now, as a third-year student, although it's still challenging, I’ve been able to maintain the drive to take on things I genuinely want to learn.
It’s precisely because of those tough times that I realized, "I can handle this." I’ve come to understand that I have the ability to overcome difficult challenges, and that realization has boosted my confidence in everything I do. Additionally, being surrounded by friends who are highly motivated and always striving for more has been an incredibly positive influence for someone like me, who tends to slack off easily. Thanks to them, I’ve learned the joy of working hard without cutting corners.
What skills have you developed by joining FILA?
The skill I feel I’ve developed the most is my English ability. When I attended the mock lessons during the campus open day or just after enrolling, I couldn’t understand what the teachers were talking. But now, I can actively and enjoyably communicate in English, and I’m also able to understand complex academic content in classes.
Additionally, I’ve gained critical thinking skills. Through my classes, I’ve learned to reconsider things and gain new perspectives, allowing me to think about issues from angles I hadn’t considered before. Rather than passively accepting information as it comes to me, I now find myself asking questions like, “What does this really mean?” “Am I seeing the full picture?” or “Can I really be certain about this?” I truly feel I’ve developed the ability to think critically and question things using my own mind.
What is your future plan?
I’m honestly not completely certain yet that this is the job I want to pursue. However, the topics I’m currently interested in are gender issues and pet-related issues. I’d like to work toward reducing challenges in these two areas, even if only slightly. At this point, I’m more focused on contributing to society and considering roles in nonprofit organizations, rather than pursuing profit-making or driving economic growth. Additionally, if I feel that acquiring certain skills is necessary, I’m open to the idea of attending graduate school in the future.
Please give a message to prospective international students!
You might feel overwhelmed when attending mock lessons on the Campus Open Day or flipping through the campus guide materials, thinking, “This is impossible for me.” But from what I’ve seen, even students who were good at English struggled and worked hard, and those who weren’t as confident didn’t give up and kept pushing forward. I’ve witnessed firsthand how much everyone grows and improves through their efforts.
That’s why I can confidently say this: You can absolutely do it! It all depends on your effort! Don’t underestimate your potential—believe in yourself! We all have a strength within us far greater than we imagine.
So trust in that, take breaks when you need them, and keep doing your best! Once you enroll in FILA, there will be so much support that you won’t even need to worry. For now, just focus on overcoming what’s in front of you. I’m cheering for you all the way!
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