1. Seminar Outline
2. Seminar Students
3. Thesis Titles
4. The Memories of GSAPS

The Memories of GSAPS

PhD Graduate Essay

GSAPS LT (PhD. 07)

When my mentor Shinohara asked me to write my memory of GSAPS for its ten year anniversary, I feel so proud and confident to say something as a faithful follower for one fifth of its life, as well as a "will-be" lifelong companion of GSAPS.
"Multilingual and multicultural", yes, that's what GSAPS has prepared well for us and from which we can benefit the most. The diversity of our colleagues greatly enriches the school program and the class typically represents a wide range of academic backgrounds. During the initial days of my study here, I was shocked, both by the atmosphere at sword's points here, and at the same time, the profound knowledge of my supervisor and colleagues. I have experienced the most "violent" brainstorm here and consequently the most ready-witted response, sometimes you even have to be ready to react in several different languages.:-) GSAPS is tolerant, in that you can freely explore any subject that might attracts you. GSAPS is also rigorous, in that here you have been cultivated to be responsible for your work and have your unique view. During my two years study here, the most unforgettable memory is that I need to defend for my standpoint hard in the class, but after class, my severe challenger just now would patiently inform me how to perfect the dissertation. In these debates and discussions, we always have the feeling that we are the prodigious theorists of IR theory, the skillful practitioner of foreign diplomacy or even a respectable professor. Through these painful but joyful anneal, my scare to the knowledge gradually turns to the keen aspiration to it. Owing to these valuable experiences at GSAPS, I seldom feel uneasy to any kinds of circumstances. At this time being, I become a teacher of Beijing Foreign Studies University, and almost no one can tell that it actually is the first time for me to give lectures on international relations, which I would say to great extent attributed to the strict training at GSAPS. And I am more than certain that these valuable experiences here would evermore assist my life.
In addition, GSAPS is your free pass to the other precious academic resources. On one hand, in order to broaden our horizon, our supervisor here would introduce us to the other scholars working on the related issues, whatever through inviting them to join our seminar or directly recommending them to be our supervisor. I myself have benefited greatly from this process, in that more windows of opportunity opened and the research became several times more efficient. On the other hand, being a student of GSAPS at Waseda, we find ourselves likely "privileged" students, since our capability is partly proved by the prestigious school supporting us behind. Accordingly, we have been endowed with a much more spacious stage to perform even in the overseas countries. It would save our time and energy to explain our backgrounds since GSAPS would be our second ID card. :-)
With these words spreading on my screen, my mind has already traveled back to Building 19, the classrooms, our professor's office, the libraries and the comfortable lounge on the eighth floor, where I have been struggling hard to extend my thoughts and intellectuality there, besides the coffee shops and "izakaya" around the campus also came upon to my mind, where our laughter has watered every corner there…
What a hilarious thing to be a GSAPS person and to know that our GSAPS is celebrating her ten year anniversary and I would like to say, from the bottom of my heart, "Congratulations, our young and thriving GSAPS! You are the best! これからも、頑張ってください！"

MA Graduate Essay

GSAPS MA Graduate, Sept. '05

Focusing on memories of GSAPS creates difficulties as my memories of traveling in Japan and living in Tokyo seem stronger. A good analogy would be trying to remember time spent at an airport: people with different agendas and histories are busily coming and going to and from different places. GSAPS was the hub of my stay in Japan.
Nonetheless, I distinctly remember several experiences related to GSAPS. One memory, for instance, reminds me of making many GSAPS friends. Wanting to improve my Japanese abilities, I posted an advertisement for study partners on the GSAPS' student board. Several Japanese contacted me, and I studied with students, such as Yuko Awakuni, Masato Kitahara, and Takahiko Date. I still keep in touch with Masato and Takahiko, two GSAPS friends for life. While at GSAPS I also desired to learn Chinese and learn about Chinese culture, which brought me into contact with Wu Bo, Ma Yonghua, and Wang (Kevin), friends who broadened my perspective on Asia, Japan, and China.
Another memory stands out because of the kindness of Professor Abe, whose corporate strategy course deepened my understanding of international business. Before I left Japan, I began my job search, honing in on Japanese pharmaceutical companies as I have a bachelor's degree in biochemistry/history and a Master's in international relations. After having been rudely rebuffed by a male, American GSAPS business professor, I turned to Professor Abe, who readily assisted me. He showed me where to research and even revised a resume I had written in Japanese. He aided me even though I wasn't a member of his zemi, let alone an MBA student, which impressed me greatly.
Another Japanese GSAPS professor, Shinohara sensei, also stands at the forefront of my memories. Her zemis and the students in them, Louise, Louis, Raphael, Kevin, Maria, Lei, Caesar, Yusuke, and others, provided for an enriching experience. Office meetings with Professor Shinohara led to discussions on history books and my Master's thesis. Her advice and strategies assisted me, and I received an "A" on my thesis. That grade, a good memory, reflected the culmination of my goal to do A-level research in Japan.
Other GSAPS events and people stand out as well. I will not soon forget the class and perspectives of Professor Roberts, a fellow U.S. citizen, on matters of Japanese culture, the knowledge of Europe gained from conversations with Balazs Kertesz, nor editing a GSAPS students Master's thesis at her generous rate of \2000 a page. But those are stories for another time.