The biggest reason for me choosing to work at a university was my interest in student support work. I have a physical disability and use a wheelchair, but when I was at university I was supported by teaching staff, friends and family in a variety of situations. I made it my aim to join the staff at Hiroshima University, since I wanted to contribute to creating an educational and learning environment that allows all students to lead a secure and fulfilling student life.

Presently, I’m in charge of academic affairs and student support at the support office of the Graduate School for International Development and Cooperation (IDEC). Most students at the school are international students with different cultural and language backgrounds. Such a situation marked with diversity makes it normal for students and staff at IDEC to take classes and work in English as the common language. Communicating with students by taking advantage of my language proficiency that I have obtained through my experience abroad, I work hard every day while endeavoring to improve my own skills in such an environment.

While international students are the majority at IDEC, they are still a minority at the university on the whole. This sometimes leads to an oversight in taking care of their needs at the university in general. As a staff member of IDEC, I now realize the importance of sharing the needs of such international students in a wide variety of university operations. I would like to help students enjoy a fulfilling campus life regardless of their culture and language and without suffering any disadvantage.

Differences between people might cause anxiety and difficulties. I myself have a disability so I sometimes face hard situations and difficult obstacles. But I believe that “difference” can be considered “originality”, as my teacher told me when I was a student. Being different to other people can be helpful and useful in some way - while in education and work. I would like you students not to see differences negatively, but to see differences as something positive which should give you new discoveries and show you way forward.

Published in "Follow your own path" (2019-)
Affiliation, job title, etc. are as of the publication of the 2020 edition of "Follow your own path".