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6 min read
May Moe Thu, a fourth-year student in the College of International Management from Myanmar, has turned her experiences in Japan into opportunities for growth. I first met May three years ago in Foundations of Global Leadership (FGL), a course that prepares students to become leaders in international settings.
Since then, I have watched her overcome language and cultural barriers, expanded her horizons, and grow into the person she is today. In this article, I would like to share her journey.
May chose to study in Japan because she wanted to broaden her future opportunities. She was interested in Japan's unique culture and advanced technology. She was also attracted by the availability of scholarships and the variety of career paths available after graduation.
Another reason was APU's multicultural environment. When she arrived in Japan, she was not yet confident in her Japanese language skills. At APU, half of the students are international students and half are domestic students. This gave her the chance to meet people from many different backgrounds while adapting to life in Japan. For May, APU offered the perfect place to challenge herself, improve her Japanese, and develop a global perspective.
Life in Japan was not easy at first. Simple tasks such as shopping, reading government documents, and using public transportation felt overwhelming when she first arrived. As she became more familiar with daily life, new challenges appeared. She often felt homesick, especially when she was sick or struggling with language and cultural differences at her part-time job. Her workplace operated entirely in Japanese, and there were no English-speaking staff members. At times, this made her feel isolated. What helped her most was staying connected with people. She built new friendships at APU and also stayed close to her family and friends back home.
A major turning point came when she decided not to be afraid of making mistakes. She noticed that people in Beppu were patient and willing to listen, even when her Japanese was not perfect. That experience made her realize that making mistakes was part of learning. From then on, she practiced Japanese with more confidence. She actively looked for opportunities to speak with Japanese friends and gradually learned both the language and the culture through daily interactions.
May believes her Japanese improved because she intentionally created opportunities to use it every day. The biggest factor was stepping outside the international student community and immersing herself in Japanese-speaking environments. She made an effort to use Japanese not only at APU but also in her everyday life. Her part-time job became an important learning space. Conversations with coworkers and customers helped her develop practical communication skills and learn natural Japanese.
During our interview, May said that I was one of the friends who supported her language-learning journey. Hearing that meant a lot to me. I also spent years working on my English, so I felt grateful to know that our friendship had played a small role in her growth. Three years ago, most of our conversations were in English. Today, we speak almost entirely in Japanese. That change reflects the effort she has put in every single day.
Today, May is actively preparing for her future career through internships and job hunting. She is gaining hands-on experience in business operations, marketing, and intercultural communication. Outside the classroom, she continues to pursue her passion for fashion styling and event production. She also works as a photo model when opportunities arise. Rather than limiting herself to university life, she keeps exploring new experiences and expanding her possibilities.
When reflecting on her life in Japan, May says the areas in which she has grown the most are adaptability, financial management, and independence. Before coming to Japan, she relied heavily on her family and familiar surroundings. Living in Beppu changed that. She learned how to navigate a new culture, manage her daily life, and balance her studies, work, and personal activities. She also became more confident in handling unexpected situations and communicating with people from different cultural backgrounds. These experiences helped her gain much more than language skills.
They gave her the confidence to make decisions on her own and move forward independently.
May shared three pieces of advice for future APU students.
Beppu HINOUMI Festival
When May first arrived in Japan, even simple daily tasks felt challenging. Today, she confidently embraces new opportunities, communicates in Japanese, and continues to push herself beyond her comfort zone. Her journey has inspired me in many ways. Her commitment to learning, her determination to pursue her goals, and her willingness to take on new challenges have left a strong impression on me.
Looking back on how much she has grown over the past three years has reminded me of an important lesson-Growth begins when we are willing to take the first step, even when we might fail.
Hello! My name is Mayumi, and I am a fourth-year student in the College of Asia Pacific Studies. I would like to share the unique features of APU, as well as my experience studying abroad in the UK for a year. I hope my posts can inspire readers who are considering studying at APU or taking on new challenges. Looking forward to connecting with you!
Copyright (c) 2016 Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University
