OTANI Abi | Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University

Reason Why You Decided to Apply

I decided to apply for the Field Studies Program because I not only wanted to visit a new country and experience its culture but also to deepen my knowledge of sustainable development, which I am studying at APU. The opportunity to explore real sustainability issues in Bangkok, Thailand, and learn from experts and local communities has been a valuable addition to my academic experience.

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

I expected to gain a practical understanding of sustainable development and learn about the challenges communities face in realizing it. The program opened my eyes to the importance of inclusion and collective action. A visit to STEPS, an organization dedicated to supporting people with neurodisabilities, and CODI, a community development organization, significantly impacted my worldview. STEPS showed the importance of inclusion and creating equal opportunities for all. CODI demonstrated the power of initiatives coming from the communities themselves and their impact on improving living conditions. In the future, I plan to apply this knowledge in my studies and career by advancing initiatives that promote community development and support marginalized groups.

Message for Students Interested in The Program

I think the best thing about visiting the UK for field study was that we were able to visit places we would not have had the chance to visit when traveling, such as university campuses and offices, and hear stories that we would not have been able to hear. This program is especially recommended for those who are interested in urban development, British history, and buildings! I hope you will find many things that are different from the norm of your country and learn a lot of things that you cannot learn in APU.