Reasons for Participating in the Program
I first learned about the FIRST program when I joined an APU campus tour in my senior year of high school and listened to a presentation by students who had participated. I was especially interested in the challenge of traveling without using smartphones and finding hotels and restaurants by ourselves. I thought it was a unique opportunity to learn through real experiences. I also felt reassured because Student Assistants (SAs) would support each group throughout the program. Since I have always been interested in Korea, I was excited about the opportunity to visit the country. I even wrote in my APU application essay that I wanted to join FIRST.
How the Program Helped You Grow
Joining FIRST made it easier for me to challenge myself in university life. It gave me confidence to try new things. The biggest thing I gained was the ability to work with people from different backgrounds. It was not always easy to share ideas and reach an agreement, but our group successfully completed the project together. We even became close friends after the program. During the field research, I used some simple Korean phrases that I had learned in class. This experience motivated me to study Korean more seriously, and I hope to join the Korean immersion program in the future.
Message for Students Interested in The Program
If you are interested in FIRST, I strongly encourage you to join. Taking the first step can be scary, but that step will help you grow. Through this program, you can have experiences that are impossible to gain in the classroom and meet wonderful people from different backgrounds. I became more confident in taking on new challenges, and I made friends who are still close to me today. FIRST is a special opportunity that you can experience only once during your time at APU, so don't miss the chance to join.
LANGUAGE:
Japanese
Programs Currently Recruiting
