YOSHIOKA MISAKI | Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University

Reason Why You Decided to Apply

I have long been interested in poverty alleviation and hoped to visit a developing country at least once during my time as a university student. Initially, I considered joining JICA’s study tour, but when I learned about the Advanced Area Studies program, I felt it aligned more closely with my goals.
Through this program, I can not only observe how NGOs support people living in poverty on the ground but also study at leading universities in the host countries - Thammasat University in Thailand and Universitas Indonesia in Indonesia – and conduct research based on my own interests. The opportunity to gain both practical experience and academic knowledge simultaneously was very appealing to me, which is why I decided to participate.

What do you hope to gain from participating in the program and how will you apply it to your future undergraduate studies or career?

My research focused on how existing government poverty reduction policies could be improved to make urban poverty alleviation more effective. During my time in the field, I was able to go beyond studying government policies and directly observe NGO activities and the daily lives of local communities. This gave me insights that I could not have gained through classroom learning.
I used to think I had learned enough about development through lectures, but I realized that “learning at a desk” and “experiencing it in the field” are completely different. Witnessing real-life conditions firsthand deepened my understanding in ways that theory alone never could.
I also discovered a new side of myself. I had always considered myself a rather passive person, but in the field, I found myself taking initiative – scheduling interviews for my research and actively exploring the area on weekends. I realized that when I have a clear purpose and interest, I naturally become proactive.
This experience will have a significant impact on my future studies. I can now approach classes with a more hands-on perspective, and in the long term, I hope to work in international cooperation or policy-making, where I can integrate voices from the field into effective strategies.

Message for Students Interested in The Program

There are countless things I learned and reasons I’m glad I joined this program. To be honest, I had many worries before applying. I wasn’t confident in English, I couldn’t speak Thai or Indonesian at all, and it was my first time traveling abroad. On top of that, I’m a bit of a neat freak, so I wondered, “Can I really live in a country where sanitation isn’t as developed as in Japan?” I hesitated a lot before deciding to apply.
But once I took the plunge, I realized things were much easier than I expected. Even if your English isn’t perfect, gestures work surprisingly well, and in the worst case, you can always use a translation app. I used to think, “No way I can handle toilets where you can’t flush toilet paper!” or “A bathroom combined with a toilet? Impossible!” But when you’re actually there, you learn that humans can adapt.
If you join, I highly recommend enjoying sightseeing on weekends, not just focusing on research. You might be approached by enthusiastic tuk-tuk drivers, make friends with a bus driver, or catch glimpses of low-income communities from a national train window. These experiences gave me unforgettable memories that I could never have had in Japan.
The environment—different in hygiene, culture, food, and cityscape—was completely unlike Japan but embracing those differences while focusing on my research for six weeks became a truly precious experience and a lifelong treasure. I sincerely hope you make the most of your university life!