Shu Xin YE
- Shu Xin YE（China）
- Enrollment in September 2013
- Study Plan：Culture & Communication
Before I graduated from Fudan University in Shanghai, China, my family recommended me to start work, but I wanted to go study abroad. But I also thought of getting a job in Japan after graduation so I decided to come and study here. My major as an undergraduate was Japanese and going to study abroad in Japan is financially less of a burden than going to a Western country so I focused on study abroad in Japan. I took some journalism courses as an undergraduate and journalism seemed interesting for me so I searched for graduate schools which have a Media course on the internet and found GSICCS. Also, I had read a book written by Professor Mamoru Ito of Waseda University so I decided to apply to GSICCS. Now during my first semester at GSICCS, I have been reading technical books to substantiate my research and discussing with my classmates in my seminar. Sometimes my classmates give me hard opinions, but it makes me motivated even more. After graduation from GSICCS, I was thinking of doing a PhD but more recently I am thinking of getting a job in Japan and becoming independent. I wanted to get a job in the mass media industry, but given the importance of understanding the Japanese recruitment system, I am also thinking of searching for a job in wide range of areas.
Kanjanatorn KANJANASOON
- Kanjanatorn KANJANASOON （Thailand）
- Enrollment in September 2013
- Study Plan：Society & Communication
I first knew about GSICCS through one of my professors at Chulalongkorn University (which is where I attended for my undergraduate studies). He knew Professor Takashi Aso and recommended me to consider applying to GSICCS for my graduate studies. During my undergraduate years, I studied Language and Culture as my major, but I’ve always had a personal interest in international relations as well. When researching about GSICCS, I realized that this program could offer me the opportunity to study both: what I have an educational background in (Cultural Studies), as well as what I’ve always wanted to pursue (IR). Here at GSICCS, I study in Professor Sadaharu Kataoka’s Public Diplomacy seminar. I plan to conduct my research on the diplomatic relations between Japan and Thailand, focusing on the usage of soft power and nation branding to strengthen the relationship between the two countries. After getting my master at GSICCS, I plan to join the foreign ministry in my own country. But after living in Japan for a while, I’m now also considering working at an IGO or NGO here in Japan so I can use both Japanese and English, and still be able to work in an international environment.
Erika Azegami
- Erika Azegami （Japan）
- Enrollment in April 2013
- Study Plan：Language & Communication
The reason for entering GSICCS was because there was a course in sociolinguistics which I wanted to study in depth. I wanted to continue to study sociolinguistics that I was taking as an undergraduate at SILS (the undergraduate school attached to GSICCS). In addition, having opportunities to discuss with various people from all over the world was also one of the reasons to enter. I have been thinking that is it possible to create a style of an English education which encourages university students to study abroad. At this moment, I am researching how the concept of ELF (English as a Lingua Franca) could be applied to Japanese English education. I would like to contribute to improving English education in Japan through my research. Moreover, I wish I could take a lively part as a global citizen by applying what I have experienced in GSICCS.
Jeremie Tomohiko RINTA
- Jeremie Tomohiko RINTA （USA）
- Enrollment in September 2013
- Study Plan：Culture & Communication
I decided to enter the GSICCS program after having the experience in my undergraduate studies to participate in the SILS department as an exchange student. The professors, community, and activities available at Waseda are all about ‘what you put into them’ and I very much enjoyed the flexibility of being able to pursue my interests in such a diverse environment. Although I feel like I am just getting started with my specific field of study, I am very much interested in the ‘cultural studies’ research track under the direction of Professor Aso. This semester in seminar we have been analyzing texts of critical theorists such as Barthes, Derrida, and Freud supplemented with relevant applications of these theories through the guest speakers involved with international businesses and NGOs. After this program I would like to pursue even further education in a similar PhD program to become a specialist in international and intercultural communications. I hope that my experience in GSICCS will equip me with the skills needed to knowledgeably facilitate conflicts or connections in the international sphere.
