TAMURA Mio | Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University

Reasons for Participating in the Program

I applied for this program because of my strong interest in environmental preservation and eco-tourism. I wanted to learn how to interact with local people during conservation activities and how to communicate the importance of local nature to tourists. These aspects are closely related to the field of tourism. In particular, “Nagasaki Saruku” is a community-based tourism activity that allows participants to engage closely with local residents and learn from various guides. In addition, I personally wanted to explore Nagasaki more deeply. For these reasons, I decided to apply for this program.

How the Program Helped You Grow

During this program, I learned about the attractions of Nagasaki from various perspectives by experiencing “Saruku” guided by different individuals, including university students and professional guides. Each guide had a unique style and focus, which allowed me to understand Nagasaki in diverse ways. I also learned the importance of building good relationships with local people through observing interactions between guides and residents. What impressed me most was the strong love for Nagasaki shared by all guides. By replacing this “love for Nagasaki” with love for nature and the environment, I hope to develop my own guiding style and apply what I learned to my future studies in environmental studies and community development at APU.

Message for Students Interested in The Program

In this program, participants spend a lot of time walking around Nagasaki as part of “Saruku,” a guided walking tour. Although it can be physically demanding, you can hear many interesting stories from the guides and discover the deeper attractions of Nagasaki, which helps you feel more connected to the city and makes you want to visit again. I recommend this program to students who are interested in community-based tourism, guiding, or learning more about Nagasaki. Participating in this program allows you not only to deepen your academic interests but also to interact with other students and experience the warmth of local people. It will be a valuable and memorable experience.