2023/11/06 10:00

FILA×CAREER "Soka University is really a microcosm of the world!"

    Ms. Rimsha Bahl graduated from the Faculty of International Liberal Arts (FILA) in 2019 as the 2nd class. After graduation, she is now teaching English to elementary students at a private Japanese school in Tokyo. She talked about why she chose Soka University and FILA, what she learned here, and how learning at FILA helps her to work.

    Profile

    Name: Rimsha Bahl
    Year Graduated from FILA: 2019
    Home country: New Delhi, India
    Academic Advisor: Hartmut Lenz
    Favorite Place on Campus: Pond of Literature and 12th floor of Global Square
    Favorite Quotes： “Even if things don't unfold the way you expected, don't be disheartened or give up. One who continues to advance will win in the end.”- Daisaku Ikeda
     

    Why did you choose Soka University and FILA?

    Entrance Ceremony

    I visited Soka University in 2014 when I was on vacation in Japan. I met some professors here and a former student gave me a tour of the university. I loved the calm and peaceful atmosphere of Soka University which made me want to come back, so I applied for the FILA program. I chose FILA since I had no idea about Japanese at the time and I had never learned the language. FILA was the only program with all four years being taught in English across all subjects which made me want to apply for this program.

    What is the best memory you have about FILA?

    With FILA students (1st to 3rd Batches)

    One of my favorite memories is the Soka University Festival. I danced with 100 students from around the world, hosted a stall for FILA, and sold chai and churros. It was also nice that I participated in the committee that put up the International Students Festival, and was in charge of cooking food for our juniors participating in the festival during my senior year in 2018. Also, the summer BBQ with the first three batches of FILA is a nice memory since we got to know everyone better.
    Seminar activities are also unforgettable experiences. I had an opportunity to meet executives at the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank in Beijing, China with my fellow seminar students and Dr. Lenz. We went to Oizumi, Gunma prefecture too for a field trip to study more about transnational migration on the ground observing the Brazilian population living there. 

    Which part of FILA do you like?

    Seminar Trip to Beijing

    I love that FILA has many different courses available to students under the three main pillars: History, Society and Culture, International Relations and Politics, and Economics and Business. Even though I chose International Relations and Politics as my major, I was able to take many courses from the other two pillars too. The course “Transnational Migration”, which I took from the group of History, Society, and Culture, helped me deepen my understanding of why people migrate to other places and how they make these foreign places their home.
    Other than these specialized courses, FILA provides many important courses. “Cross-Cultural Understanding”, which all FILA students take in their first year, was really enjoyable. Since coming to Japan as a foreigner with no prior knowledge of Japanese culture, this particular course helped me understand individualistic versus hierarchical cultures in detail. 

    Please tell us your story after your graduation from FILA.

    Graduation Ceremony
    I graduated from FILA in March 2019. I used to work part-time as a staff member of English Forum at Soka University’s World Language Center and an English conversation school (No.1 in Oricon Customer Satisfaction Ranking for Tutor) during my university years. I continued working at the English conversation school after graduation for another year and got a full-time work visa. At the conversation school, I started teaching kids as well. My young learners studied hard with me and were able to do really well on their speaking tests at school. They presented me with a gift of their drawing as a way to say thank you. This event really moved me and that is when I started to look for jobs as an English teacher in elementary schools.
    I currently teach English to all grades from first to sixth at a private Japanese school in Tokyo.

    Do you feel your learning in FILA helps you in work? How?

    The English team at my current school has people from different nationalities. Being able to interact with many people from different cultures and also studying these differences at FILA really helped me to become more adaptable and understand the people around me at work. It has also helped me understand my students better. I also try to share simple concepts of cultural understanding with my students. Some of the sixth-grade students were able to use this skill of cross-cultural understanding and apply it in their own lives when they were in Australia for their study abroad program. 
    My goal is to get my Ph.D. eventually and then become a professor and teach university students.

    Message

    To the current students of FILA, I would like to say there are tons of courses that you can enroll in to expand your horizons being a part of such a robust global faculty. Utilize that opportunity even if it means auditing some of those courses. If you have the capacity, go beyond the stipulated 124 credits and get more by registering for courses from other faculties too. It helped me make friends and deepen my knowledge of different subjects. Make the most of your time at Soka University and FILA. 

    To prospective international students, I would like to say that if you like the idea of being a citizen of the world, please choose Soka University, Japan, and FILA. It will help deepen your understanding of global citizenship. The professors of this faculty and Soka University are the kindest human beings who want you to succeed and will always go the extra mile to help you maximize your potential. Soka University is really a microcosm of the world, where you'd be interacting with students from around the world, making tons of memories and bonds of friendship that will last a lifetime. 
    ページ公開日：2023/11/06 10:00