ALVARADO NOELANI JADE | Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University

Reason Why You Decided to Apply

I decided to apply to SECOND because it seemed like an invaluable opportunity. I was immediately intrigued by the self-directed format of the program and the opportunity to make connections with both my peers and with the people in the countries we would be visiting. It was also a great opportunity to gain the experience of organizing, gathering, and analyzing field research. The descriptions of what we would be doing in the application sounded challenging, but I knew I would grow as a person and as an academic in the process.

How the Program Helped You Grow

I had not considered how much communication, compromise and troubleshooting I would be faced with upon applying to the SECOND program. However, my skills in all three improved immensely. I now feel better prepared to face unfamiliar situations. With the knowledge I gained, I will be able to successfully navigate through those challenges. My Japanese language comprehension skills also increased immensely. Finally, I am more confident in my abilities to design and carry out research.

Message for Students Interested in The Program

The SECOND program is going to challenge you, but it will also be an amazing experience to look back on. You will make many new friends and meet many interesting people along the way. There will be times when it is hard and frustrating, but it will also be a lot of fun. You will grow as a person and as an academic and will remember your experience in the SECOND program for a long time going forward. It will improve your academic ability in university and prepare you for your future outside of university as well.