Sophia Magazine vol.7 / SUMMER 2018

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Students enrich their learning and extend their networks throughout the globe.Sophia University offers a wide variety of learning opportunities for students from both Japan and abroad.Here are some stories of students who face challenges daily and have priceless experiences.STUDENTS CONNECTINGWITH THE WORLDfrom “LUXEMBOURG” to“SOPHIA”As host of Sophia’s rst overseas hub, Luxembourg is a country with deep ties to our university. A major role in the exchange between Sophia University and Luxembourg is played by Jean-Claude Hollerich, Archbishop of Luxembourg and former vice president of Sophia University. In 2017, the Degree of Honorary Doctorate was conferred upon His Royal Highness the Grand Duke Henri of Luxembourg during his state visit to Japan.BACKGROUNDs a Japanology undergraduate at the Uni-versity of Trier in Germany, I participated in a study tour in 2006 which was my rst time to visit Japan. I admired the philosophy and the values that underpin everyday life in Japan, and returned to spend a year as an exchange student at Sophia University in 2008. Fr. Jean-Claude Hollerich S.J., now Archbishop of Luxembourg, was Vice Presi-dent of Sophia University back then, and he pro-vided me with valuable guidance in professional and personal matters. The Archbishop also en-trusted me to a role in support of the 2013 visit to Japan of Their Royal Highnesses Prince Felix and Princess Claire of Luxembourg for Sophia Univer-sity’s 100th anniversary ceremony.Following my graduation from university, I began working at a nancial institution in my home coun-try, however, soon after my desire grew to pursue postgraduate studies. Thus, I came back to So-phia University as a MEXT research student in April 2014, and then moved on to the Graduate School of Global Studies in 2015. Currently, I am carrying out research into documentary lms on the March 11 Great East Japan Earthquake. In my research, I am looking for ways in which lmmakers try to convey the tragedy of 2011, and how this can have an effect on the viewer’s thinking about the disaster and its victims. Last year, I was given another exceptional oppor-tunity to work as a staff member of the Embassy of Luxembourg in support of the state visit to Japan of His Royal Highness the Grand Duke Henri of Lux-embourg. Previously, I had had several opportuni-ties to attend events at the embassy, however to facilitate the state visit was surely a special matter. As I was responsible for public relations, I was en-trusted to communicate and negotiate with the Im-perial Household Agency and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. It was already such an honor to meet with His Royal Highness, yet on top of that my days were lled with attending extraordinary events such as his meeting with the Emperor and visiting the State Guest House. It was certainly a tough mission, but it was an honor to have the opportunity. The ceremony conferring the Degree of Honorary Doctorate upon His Royal Highness the Grand Duke Henri of Lux-embourg also took place during his visit, reafrming the ties between my home country of Luxembourg, Japan, and Sophia University. As a researcher, I have become ever more determined to act as a bridge between Japan and Luxembourg, treasuring all my experiences as well as the interpersonal rela-tionships cultivated through Sophia, including with my mentor Archbishop Hollerich. AKevin Zaleski➣ DEPARTMENT AT SOPHIA: Graduate School of Global Studies➣ PERIOD OF STUDY AT SOPHIA: From September 2015 to present28Voice