■Decided to apply to Chukyo University after admiring the fulfilling life of Chukyo University students.
When I was a child, I saw many Japanese products in Vietnam, and somehow Japan became a country I longed to visit. After graduating from high school, I decided to attend a Japanese language school in Shizuoka Prefecture. I consulted with my Japanese language school teacher and did my own online research on universities, but the deciding factor was the SNS of a senior student who had also attended the same Japanese language school. I saw that she was leading a very fulfilling student life, and I thought, "I want to be a Chukyo University student too!". I decided to go to Chukyo University. I had no hesitation at all in choosing my division. Ever since I was a child, I had decided to study management! Not only because I thought I would be able to acquire knowledge about money and other things that would be useful in my daily life, but above all because I thought I would have no trouble choosing from a wide range of employment opportunities.

■The knowledge I gained in class and my experiences on and off campus gave me confidence.
The thing I think I have grown the most during my university life is that I have gained confidence. Before, I could not even think of public speaking, but now I can speak in front of others because of the knowledge and various skills I have acquired through my university studies. The biggest influence on this was the Rotary Yoneyama Memorial Scholarship, which I applied for and was accepted for after an announcement on campus. I believe that I have grown a lot through the events where I have gathered with company executives and other scholarship recipients.
I also feel that my Japanese language skills have improved greatly over the past four years. In my Japanese classes at the university, I especially honed my academic skills, such as report writing. In addition, I don't rely only on the classes, but also actively talk to my Japanese friends and colleagues at my part-time job, watch YouTube videos, and take action on my own anyway I can.

■My continuous challenge made me blossom.
My job hunting activities were short-lived: I spent January and February of my junior year participating in joint information sessions, preparing for the SPI, and preparing entry sheets. After that, the application period began in earnest in March, but my job hunting activities ended at the end of April when I received a job offer from my first choice, Nitori Corporation. During my job hunting activities, the information sessions for international students given by the Career Support Division were very helpful. In addition, I consulted with my seniors, looked at events held by outside companies and their websites, and proceeded with my job hunting activities.
Currently, I am aiming to acquire qualifications that will be useful for my career until I join the company in April. To this end, I am self-studying (through books and YouTube) for the color certification test. After joining the company, I will be working at a store in a career-track position, and I hope to eventually become accustomed to being an immediate asset to the company's overseas expansion. As a future goal, I would like to work overseas in order to be involved in increasing the number of stores not only in Vietnam but also in other Asian countries.

■Message to junior international students
While you are in college, you may feel anxious about your future or confused about your career path, but it is the same for everyone. So, don't set your own limits! Please think about it a lot, and keep challenging yourself in various ways so that you can find the person you want to be and the path you want to take!

*December 2023 coverage

After enrolling in the division of GLS, the thing I particularly enjoy is the freedom of expressing myself on various contemporary social issues during lessons. The same is true not only for English lessons but also Japanese ones. Teachers give us plenty of opportunities to learn Japanese by having us discuss and make presentations on various topics in class.

My future goal is to work for a global humanitarian organization or to become a permanent representative to the UN, on account of this after graduating university my next step will be entering a graduate school and master my expert knowledge and competences. It is not an easy goal, but I strongly believe that the important thing is to find your core values. I encourage all international students to study hard and believe in yourselves!

*June 2023 coverage

Chukyo University, founded in 1954, celebrates its 70th anniversary in 2024. The school motto is "Shinkenmi" (seriousness) and the founding spirit is "A Hall of Fame for Seriousness in Academics and Sports". As a practice of these principles, we have the four basic principles of "1. Follow the rules, 2. Do your best, 3. Build teamwork, 4. Show respect to others." The term "Shinkenmi" comprises three elements: "Shin" represents intellectual education, "Ken" symbolizes physical education, and "Mi" signifies moral education. True intelligence can only be achieved when it is built upon a sound body, adherence to rules, and the practice of proper etiquette.

Chukyo University has launched a new long-term plan, "NEXT10 2033," in the 2024 academic year to mark the 70th anniversary of its founding, and to steadily implement "UMEMURA VISION 2033," the long-term vision of Umemura Gakuen Educational Corporation, which celebrates its 100th anniversary in 2023. The catchphrase of the vision is "A university that takes on challenges," based on the history of Umemura Gakuen since its establishment.

In today's rapidly changing society, where it is difficult to predict the future, in addition to a broad range of liberal arts and specialized knowledge, a strong spirit is required. Chukyo University is committed to nurturing and sending out into society human resources who are capable of pursuing the straight truth and acting boldly. With this in mind, the faculty and staff of Chukyo University will work together to implement various reforms for the next generation based on "NEXT10 2033.

Students play the leading role in the university. Chukyo University will do its utmost to support you, the main players of the "University of Challenge," so that you can enjoy challenges to the fullest, create new values, and flourish in the global society.