LEARNING YOUR WAY

When I was studying for entrance exams, ChatGPT was less than a year old, but I already felt the barriers to acquiring knowledge and learning languages falling. I expected the world to grow more globalized as AI advanced, and felt that even in science and technology, I would benefit from an internationally diverse environment. I chose Sophia for the chance to build expertise in science and technology while also learning across the humanities and sciences. Complex social issues, I felt, need not only specialized knowledge but a broad perspective and an understanding of others. My high school teacher put it well: “University is a place where you develop your expertise while receiving a holistic education.”

Recently I’ve been in a research lab specializing in data analysis, learning how to identify issues and trends in data and turn them into solutions. Beyond the technical skills, I think it matters to consider how analysis can benefit society. In my second year I also began studying how to teach mathematics, seeing education as a field where AI would have a harder time replacing expertise.

Wanting to meet other languages and cultures at Sophia, I took Chinese alongside students from other faculties. The pronunciation was a struggle, but after two years I could hold simple conversations—a real achievement.

Looking for a more global learning experience, I came across a call for student organizers of Africa Weeks on the My Sophia portal and applied. Africa Weeks deepens students’ understanding of Africa through seminars led by experts and gatherings with peers who have studied there, with around 20 students planning and running it. I worked on program planning and scheduling, and served as a subleader in my second year.

What surprised me most was the passion of the organizers and speakers, and how strongly they cared about what they were doing. Hearing about their work in Africa and their research brought the region much closer to me. Before joining, I had mainly associated Africa with poverty; I came to see that it also faces issues familiar in Japan, such as gender and environmental degradation, and began to see it as much closer to home.

Students in the Faculty of Science and Technology are busy with assignments and experiments, which makes it hard to branch out. But rather than looking for the smartest solution, I think it’s better to simply choose what you want to do. Following your interests keeps you motivated and opens new possibilities. Read the course catalog and look at other faculties—you may find fields and languages you never expected.

Looking ahead, I’m considering graduate school. As AI spreads, my goal is to build expertise that is less easily replaced and to work in a field involving international data.

Published in Sophialogue Vol. 1 (Autumn/Winter 2026), p.12–13
※Please note that the information in this article is current as of November 2026.