Exchange Students’ Voice / 交換留学生の声

「Studying abroad is a chance to step outside your comfort zone, try new things, and experience Japan in a way that goes beyond visiting！」（Northeastern University, Ashley Freemanさん）

Profile of the exchange student

Name（氏名）:　Ashley Freeman
Home institution（所属大学）:　Northeastern University　
Period of exchange program（留学期間）: 2022 Fall

What brought you to study abroad in Japan? Why did you choose Meiji University? / 日本への留学を志したきっかけと、明治大学を選んだ理由

As someone Japanese-American who grew up in the U.S., Japan has always been an important part of my life.
Even though I always felt connected to my roots, I knew that visiting family during the summer was very different from actually living there. Because of that, studying and living there became a dream of mine. Being immersed in everyday life such as commuting to campus, taking classes, and building friendships with people from around the world allowed me to see the country from an entirely new perspective and reconnect with a part of my identity. I chose Meiji University because of its location in Tokyo, diverse and passionate student community, and partnership with my home university in Boston.
It offered the perfect balance of academics, cultural immersion, and student life, making it the ideal place to fulfill a dream I had for many years.

Do you take the Advanced Seminar course? If so, tell us the name of professor, the contents of the class, and what you like about Advanced Seminar. / 専門演習（ゼミナール）に所属していますか。所属している場合は、所属ゼミ名、所属しているゼミで学んでいる内容、ゼミ活動の感想等を教えてください。

Professor’s Name / 担当教員名：Prof. Takumi Takeda

I took Professor Takeda's Advanced Seminar, which focused on applying economic theory to current issues in Japan.
The class was taught in English and through different discussions, articles, presentations, and essays, we explored topics such as climate change, electric vehicles, labor reform, and Japan's lifetime employment system and how these issues are shaping Japan's economy and society.
I truly enjoyed the opportunity to discuss these topics with both Japanese and international students, which gave me new perspectives on Japan and the world all together. Professor Takeda created a welcoming, engaging classroom environment that encouraged thoughtful discussion driven by critical thinking.
As someone who hopes to build a career connecting Japan with the rest of the world, this seminar was especially meaningful and became one of the highlights of my exchange. I still keep in touch with Professor Takeda and several classmates, and I'm grateful for all the connections, memories, and lessons.

What do you like about Meiji University? / 明治大学の好きなところについて

(1) What is your favorite place on the campuses of Meiji University? / 明治大学のキャンパスで好きな場所はどこですか。

My favorite place at Meiji was the upper floors of Liberty Tower. The views of Tokyo were always amazing, especially at night after evening classes.
I also enjoyed spending time on the outdoor terrace, whether I was studying or taking a break with friends between classes.　
Overall, Liberty Tower was my favorite place on campus because it was always full of life. Whether I was running into friends in the hallways or meeting up for lunch, many of my favorite memories were made there.

(2) What is your favorite subject (course) at Meiji University? / 好きな授業を教えてください。

Course title: Advanced Seminar (Lecturer: Prof.Takeda)

I loved all the courses at Meiji, but my favorite course was Professor Takeda's Advanced Seminar because of the discussion-based learning environment and hearing different perspectives from both Japanese and international students. Sharing our knowledge and experiences made every class more fun and engaging, in addition to providing a broader understanding of the world in general.
An honorable mention would be Japanese Religion, because it covered a subject, I wouldn’t have had the opportunity to study at my home university.
I enjoyed learning about how Japan's various religious traditions have influenced its past and continue to shape its society today.

How is your life in Japan? / 日本で過ごした感想について

(1) What made you surprised during the study abroad in Japan? / 日本に留学して驚いたところは？

Since I had visited Japan many times growing up, there weren't many things that surprised me. However, living there was completely different from visiting. From commuting on crowded trains and grocery shopping to exploring hidden neighborhoods and traveling solo around Japan, I experienced the country in a much more meaningful way. Those everyday, mundane moments, along with the adventures in between, helped me develop a deeper appreciation for Japan and a better understanding of myself.

(2) Comparing with your student life in/at your home country/institution, do you find anything that you particularly enjoy as well as anything challenging for you in your student life here in Japan? / 自分の国の学生生活と比べて、日本の学生生活で楽しいところ・大変だと感じるところはありますか？

■Things you particulartly enjoy / 楽しいところ
I appreciated the more dynamic work-life balance and the friendships I made during my exchange. Compared to my home university, life at Meiji gave me more time to explore and spend time with friends. Since many of us were experiencing student life in Japan for the first time, we quickly became close friends, which made both our classes and experiences outside the classroom even more fun. I also loved seeing the international community connect with Japanese students as well. Lastly, I was fortunate to study abroad with my college roommate and one of my closest friends. Since we shared the same Japanese-American background and dream of studying in Japan, experiencing it together made everything more meaningful.

■Things challenging for you / 大変なところ
The biggest challenge was adapting to a different style of learning and course content. At my home university, many of my classes focus on business, marketing, group presentations, and project-based work. At Meiji, I spent more time studying subjects such as Japanese language, religion, economics, and even manga history, which pushed me to think more deeply about Japan's culture (and dedicate more time to my readings). Although it took some time to adjust to subjects I hadn't studied in a while, I really enjoyed the opportunity to broaden my perspective and learn more about Japan.

About yourself and messages / ご自身について＆メッセージ

(1) What is your dream for the future? / 将来の夢は何ですか？

I have many dreams, but I would say the most relevant one now is building a path that helps bridge Japan and the rest of the world. Whether through my career, or in my own personal life, I hope to create meaningful connections between cultures and help people better understand one another. My time at Meiji strengthened my passion for cross-cultural communication and showed me how valuable international experiences can be in bringing people together.

(2) Please introduce your home institution and your country./ 母校（所属大学）や母国の紹介をしてください。

My home university is Northeastern University in Boston, Massachusetts. It is well known for its cooperative education (co-op) program, which allows students to gain professional work experience while completing their degrees. The university itself is very diverse with many students pursuing international opportunities through study abroad, research, and internships. I love Boston as a city and a home; it is vibrant with many universities, rich history, and a unique vibe. I highly recommend students interested in studying in the U.S. to pay a visit!

(3) Please give some messages for Meiji University students / 明大生へのメッセージをお願いします。

Thank you for such a wonderful study abroad experience. Every memory I shared with both students and teachers has made my time in Japan unforgettable.
I hope many of you make connections and memories that last long after graduation!

(4) Please give some messages for international students who wish to come and study at Meiji University as an exchange student. / これから明治大学に留学することを志している方へのメッセージをお願いします。

If you have the opportunity to study at Meiji University, take it!
Studying abroad is a chance to step outside your comfort zone, try new things, and experience Japan in a way that goes beyond visiting. You'll meet people from all over the world, create lifelong friendships, and make memories that will stay with you even after your exchange ends.
Time passes quickly here, so make the most of every opportunity, day, and moment.