Sophia Magazine vol.2 / WINTER 2015

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Yoshitaka Shimada➣ DEPARTMENT: Law, Faculty of Law➣ YEAR: Senior➣ DESTINATION: Sogang University, Seoul, Korea➣ LOCATION: Korea, Seoul➣ PERIOD: From August 5th to 16th, 2015 hile attending high school in Kyushu, I had a strong yearning to visit Tokyo and to travel abroad, so I chose Sophia University not only be-cause it is located in central Tokyo but because it also offers many opportunities for overseas study. The rst time I studied abroad was in 2014. I took leave to attend University of Alberta from April to December. After traveling in Europe and America for eight months I began thinking that I wanted to see more of Asia, so after returning, in my senior year, I applied to the Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities Service Learning Program. It was appealing to me because of both the great range of study opportunities and its focus on applying the knowledge gained in school to society. I visited Kkottongnae, an institute where homeless people, people with disabilities, and orphaned children live. Meeting such people alienated from society was a very emotional experience and deeply stir-ring. Through the program I was able to study the signicance of religion and the power of education once again, and could reect upon my own place in society. In the future, I would like to dedicate myself to education for socially vulnerable people.WThe Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities Asia Pacic Service Learning Program (AJCU-AP SLP) aims to conduct academic research and put it into practice in local communities based on the Ignatian Pedagogical Paradigm for colleges and universities run by the Society of Jesus. “Social Engagement based on Justice through Serving and Caring” is this year’s theme for AJCU-SLP.BACKGROUNDfrom “THAILAND” to“SOPHIA”from “SOPHIA” to“KOREA”Pattaranon Saipadver since I started studying Japanese in high school, I always wanted to visit Japan. I had the rst opportunity to stay through a week-long JENEYSYS 2.0 program. My desire to study in Japan grew as I experienced the culture and inter-acted with many Japanese. So I applied for a gov-ernment-sponsored scholarship, passed the test and interview, but in the end was not accepted. I tried again at the 10th Northern Thai Universities Japanese Speech Contest where I won the op-portunity to study at Sophia University for a year. I enjoy the fully international environment of Sophia and have made friends from various countries. I am taking Intensive Japanese courses conducted, of course, all in Japanese. While it is very chal-lenging, it is at the same time rewarding. Through my study at Sophia, I have recognized the value of overseas experience and recommend it to all students. In the future, I would like to serve as a bridge between Thailand and Japan: my dream is to teach Japanese in high school back home.E➣ UNIVERSITY: Chiang Mai University ➣ DEPARTMENT: Faculty of Humanities➣ YEAR: Senior➣ MAJORS: Japanese Language➣ PERIOD OF STAY AT SOPHIA: April 2015 to March 2016 The Northern Thai Universities Japanese Speech Contest is sponsored by the Consulate General of Japan in Chiang Mai and the northern branch of the Old Japan Students’ Association, Kingdom of Thailand. Every year since 2010, Sophia University has offered rst-prize winners a one-year scholarship to study in Japan.BACKGROUNDHop! Step! Jump!Students Leaping and Connecting with the World24Voice