Delighting those around me brings happiness to myself

A childhood love of delighting others

Since I was young, I have loved events and school ceremonies. One event that stands out in my memory is a “Coming of Half-Age Ceremony,” a celebration of reaching ten years old, half the official coming of age in Japan. This occurred when I was in the fourth grade, and I volunteered to join the organizing committee and was tasked with helping to plan the event. Inspired by television shows, my classmates and I created a program and a script, and on the day of the ceremony, we invited our parents to school. Thanks to the hard work we put into writing the script, the ceremony was a great success. I vividly remember the joy and laughter of my parents and friends. The happiness it brought to everyone around me was the most rewarding part. Looking back, this experience may have been where I realized that delighting others is intrinsically linked to my own happiness.

An interest in politics sparked from news and reporting

My senior year of high school was in 2020, during which the COVID-19 pandemic led to various government-imposed restrictions. Most school events were canceled, drastically changing our daily lives. In this context, I naturally developed an interest in politics. Responses to the virus varied greatly by country, with some imposing lockdowns and others opting not to restrict activities. Seeing how political decisions affect the lives and livelihoods of so many people made me realize how essential politics is to our existence. Also during that period, a rise of populist regimes abroad and the ensuing chaotic situations further deepened my interest and curiosity in politics, prompting me to consider studying it in university.

When I started looking for universities to attend, I knew Meiji Gakuin University by name only. What sparked my interest in this school was the “Why Meiji Gakuin University?” series of video interviews. In particular, an interview with Melissa Luna Isomoto from the Department of Global Legal Studies made me want to study something I really wanted to learn, to lead a free and fulfilling student life. This interview inspired me to learn more about her school.

Meiji Gakuin offers an environment that embraces diverse cultures and values, and as someone who enjoys making others happy, its “Do for Others” educational philosophy resonates deeply with me. I felt that this was a place where I could be myself and have a fulfilling university life.

In particular, the highly flexible curriculum of the Department of Political Science appealed to me. Events like the Freshers’ Camp, organized by the Department to welcome new students, are run by the students themselves, underscoring a commitment to autonomy and practical learning. This setup not only fosters problem-solving skills but also personal growth, which solidified my decision to enroll in the Department of Political Science.

Not enjoying university would be a waste

Upon entering university, my passion for events and wanting to get involved in large-scale planning led me to immediately apply to join the Shirokane Festival Executive Committee, which plans and manages a festival held at the Shirokane Campus in November. The Committee comprises about 200 members divided into four departments: Public Relations, General Affairs, Planning, and Operations. Joining the Planning Department, I was tasked with organizing events such as a live comedy show, the finale event, and a live artist performance. Planning for the festival over the course of a year involved unexpected difficulties and challenges, and not everything went as planned, but overcoming each obstacle with my colleagues and the resulting sense of accomplishment when we were done were indescribable experiences.

My love for entertaining others resurfaced as my Shirokane Festival Executive Committee activities progressed. I also volunteered to help plan and manage the Department of Political Science’s Freshers’ Camp, an event that led me to choose Meiji Gakuin University in the first place. Encouraged by friends and embracing the spirit of “better to regret doing something than regret not doing it at all,” I took on the roles of executive planner for the Shirokane Festival and chair of the Freshers’ Camp from the latter half of my second year and into my third year.

Holding these two positions of responsibility, I found myself overwhelmed by an increasing number of tasks. It was during these times that I learned the importance of relying on other members. While remaining aware that leadership calls for the ability to lead a team, I chose a different approach. I worked on building flat relationships between leaders and members, creating an environment where leaders rely on members and vice versa. Such mutual support relationships, rather than having individuals responsible for issues, allowed us to successfully accomplish many tasks that would have been difficult for one person to manage alone.

An out-of-the-blue Academic Achievement Award

During the spring semester of my third year, amidst a busy schedule of extracurricular activities, a letter from the Student Affairs Office arrived at my home, informing me that I had been selected as a candidate for the Academic Achievement Award. Honestly, my initial reaction was, “Me? Really?” While I had consistently attended classes and diligently submitted my assignments, I wasn’t regularly doing study sessions or revisions, nor did I think someone as busy with extracurricular activities as I was would be eligible for such an award.

Looking back, however, I realize that developing the habit of immediately addressing any confusion in class by directly asking my instructors questions before leaving, even amidst a hectic schedule, played a significant role. University professors can sometimes seem unapproachable and distant, but that’s a misconception. Once you speak with them, you find they are quite friendly and eager to help. Establishing a connection with them not only made their classes more enjoyable but also deepened my interest and engagement, leading to further questions and exploration. This expanded my network within the university, not just with instructors but with others as well, making my school life increasingly enjoyable. Perhaps it was these connections that ultimately led to my receiving the Academic Achievement Award.

Continuing to delight those around me

Through experiences like the Shirokane Festival, I’ve learned the joy of making many people happy and sharing enjoyable moments together. In the future, I aim to pursue a career in the entertainment industry. My goal is to provide enriching and delightful experiences to wide audiences through entertainment. The desire to delight those around me, a sentiment I’ve held since childhood, remains unchanged.

While I still have one more year of university life left, I have been supported by many and have had fulfilling experiences so far. As a way of giving back, I hope to continue delighting those around me even as I enter professional life and someday contribute back to Meiji Gakuin University.