On November 14, 2023, Waseda University’s Global Management Program (GMP) held a kickoff meeting for its newly admitted GMP students (the 3rd cohort, who will become third-year students in April 2024), marking the beginning of the two-year journey for the new members. This event comprised an orientation by Professor Hirota, a speech by the GMP Student Committee Chair Chen, an instructive session on English language learning strategies by Professor Morita, and interactive sessions aimed at building connections among students across various cohorts.
Brimming with the excitement for the upcoming years, the 3rd year cohort stayed engaged in Professor Hirota’s orientation. His impactful statement that “everyone can develop leadership skills through the GMP” resonated with the audience. He underscored the significance of leadership and teamwork within the program, urging students to embrace the opportunities offered by the curriculum to develop these skills. In the speech, delivered in Japanese and English, by GMP Student Committee Chair Chen, she passionately shared the importance of teamwork and the fun of working with people from different cultures.
Professor Morita delivered a presentation on English language learning, offering detailed guidance on how to improve their language proficiency across grammar, vocabulary, and pronunciation. His advice sparked motivation among numerous students to engage in English learning, presenting an invaluable opportunity for them to refine these skills crucial for their future success within the GMP.
After the formal sessions, the students engaged in a social event carried out in English. Icebreaking and shared-interest activities facilitated stronger connections among students spanning the 1st to 3rd cohorts. Although some initially felt nervous, the atmosphere gradually transformed into a lively one, witnessing active participation from numerous groups by the event’s end. Atsushi Taguchi, a GMP student in the 1st cohort, commented, “Although it was a short time, I think this event was a great start for the 3rd cohort. I hope they will embrace various challenges and thoroughly enjoy their GMP experience in the next two years.”
