Kikumi Takayama(APU Alumni)｜Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University

Graduation Year and College: 2005, APS
Country of Origin: Japan
Country of Residence: Japan
Occupation/Affiliation: Managing a design and planning company

○ Do you have anything you would like to say to the students of APU?

“Speaking” isn’t the same as truly reaching someone.
That might be the single most important lesson I learned at APU, though the impact of my time there is far beyond words.

Until high school, I rarely voiced my opinions. But APU—and the incredible friends I met there—changed me.
What gave me the courage to step out of my shell and take on new challenges was the desire to speak to someone about something that truly mattered.

Of course, the more you challenge yourself, the more you’ll face setbacks and obstacles. But in those moments, trust the environment you’re in, and the people walking beside you—and take just one more step forward.

I’m still on my journey, too.
Let’s keep painting a bright future together.
Cheering for your next step, always!