My Journey to Sophia

At Sophia University, students from diverse countries come together on one campus. Why did they choose Japan, and how do they feel about living and studying in Japan? Here we’re sharing their candid voices.

When I decided to study abroad after working for several years, the first option that came to mind was Japan, a country that has long appealed to me. Sophia University is located in the city and has an international feel, which was my ideal environment, a place where I could pursue my field of expertise in English while interacting with students from around the world.

Right now, I am preparing my dissertation on urban resilience in the Graduate School of Global Environmental Studies. Using social media data, I am analyzing how city inhabitants react to situations such as natural disasters.

Sophia University offers a diverse range of programs aimed at encouraging student growth, along with an attentive support system. I regularly check announcements from the university and participate in events and lectures hosted by SSIC*1 and LLC*2. The kabuki viewing tour was particularly memorable. Thanks to the pamphlets provided in advance and the English-speaking guide, I was able to gain a deeper understanding of traditional Japanese culture.

Through My Sophia, I learned about a summer program organized by a German university. I applied for the program and was selected to participate with full funding from the host university. This gave me the opportunity to challenge myself in a new international academic environment.

The patience and consideration that Japanese people have shown me, despite my shy personality and limited fluency in Japanese, has given me the confidence to challenge myself further.

My future goal is to become a junior high school teacher in an English-speaking country. My journey is far from over, but from now on, Japan will always be my second home.

＊1 SSIC（Sophia Student Integration Commons）：A community space that facilitates interactions and cultural exchanges between fellow students.
＊2 LLC（Language Learning Commons）：A facility that supports language learning.

Published in Sophialogue Vol. 1 (Autumn/Winter 2026), p.26
※Please note that the information in this article is current as of November 2026.