My encounter with the Department of Intermedia Air and Science was a turning point in my life.

From a young age, I have always been competitive and stubburn. When I became engrossed in something, I often lost track of time and neglected other matters. My extreme and sharp personality and strong will to achieve my envisioned goals changed during high school. The stress from long commutes and a heavy workload, combined with challenges in club activities and class troubles, taught me to let go of my rigid mindset of “I must do this” or “it has to be this way.”

Despite not being sucha a honored student, I was supported by the kindness of my teachers and peers, allowing me to grow freely and comfortably. I retained my determination and effort, while also learning the importance of strategically stepping back and observing my surroundings.

Moreover, I place great importance on standing in others’ shoes and empathizing with each individual’s feelings. My 4.5-year stay in the United States due to my parents’ circumstances exposed me to interactions with people from different cultures and backgrounds, highlighting the differences in how personal opinions are respected in the U.S. Unlike the Japanese education system that values harmony, the American education system nurtures individuality. This experience has instilled in me an approach of discarding preconceptions and facing others with diverse perspectives. I believe that, precisely because I am not an perfect student example, I can connect with others without being constrained by fixed ideas.

I have had a deep interest in creative activities since childhood, and I was particularly attracted to the idea of systematically studying creative fields within the realm of science. During my high school years at an affiliated school of Waseda University, I especially rediscovered the appeal of design and art. At one point, I even considered declining a university recommendation to pursue an art school. However, my graduation thesis advisor recommended that I enter the Department of Intermedia Art and Science. Additionally, I became intrigued by the potential to bring creative ideas in the real world. Therefore, I chose to pursue a path in the Department of Intermedia Art and Science, where I could study both engineering and art simultaneously.

“This department has two major attractions.

One is the guest lectures and the other is mindset of the instructors.
In the classes of the Department of Intermedia Art and Science, many external lecturers visit to give talks. These include employees from gaming companies, lawyers, professional photographers, artists, film critics, and more. Hearing from those working at the forefront not only clarifies future visions but also deepens interest in learning. After lectures, there’s an opportunity to freely discuss and seek advice; I often consult on issues related to personal studying in outside of class time related to the field. Everyone is kind enough to provide advice, and this leads to numerous new discoveries that I wouldn’t have realized on my own.

Secondly, the instructors kindly engage with the individualities of students. The department’s classes often present challenges that test creativity. Regardless of the nature of the responses, which often reflect students’ personal interests, instructors provide sincere advice without concern for feasibility.

The Department of Intermedia Art and Science attracts a diverse range of personalities, including those involved in game development, dedicated to film production, or passionate about choir etc. This diversity fosters mutual enhancement, which is another compelling aspect of the program.”

Despite my plan to enter the Department of Intermedia Art and Science, I was deeply concerned due to my poor performance in the first year. During the spring semester, I was deeply involved in extracurricular activities, which led to neglecting my studies. Particularly, the first year in the Faculty of Integrated Science and Engineering has many year-long subjects, making it difficult to recover during the fall semester. The only consolation was that there were fewer applicants for the Intermedia Art and Science department in our year compared to previous years.

Looking back, I realize that the difficulty level of achieving grades varies significantly depending on the class. There are urban legends about classes where difficulty levels change based on whether they are odd or even numbered, and some classes have peculiar nicknames. However, classes where students struggle more tend to have better friendship among students. Through assignments, these interactions foster bonds that continue even after they seperate next year.

I am currently serving as the women’s captain of the Waseda University Riko Tennis Club. Originally part of the Faculty of Science and Engineering Athletics Association, it has now grown into a large-scale circle with 160 members pursuing various objectives. I have been responsible for planning, management, and organizing matches related to tennis across a wide range, from beginners’ experiences to developing experienced players. Particularly, I focused on setting training goals and creating training menus to enhance the skills and team spirit of female members.

To ensure that each member understands the appeal of our club, I actively engaged in building relationships with both seniors and juniors outside of my official duties. By listening to their real opinions, I aimed to prevent bias in opinions among members of the same year. The dedication of every member to the club is what makes our team attractive. Each year, about 300 science and engineering students visit our club during recruitment, providing a great opportunity for new students to interact. If you enroll, please do visit us.

Additionally, I devoted significant effort to part-time jobs. I gained experience in tutoring, food service (both front and back of house), private tutoring, and internships. Particularly in private tutoring, I focused on providing support in academic and mental aspects without a fixed curriculum due to individual contracts. During a long-term internship, I engaged in activities such as PR for imported accessories, branding, and developing new products for our own brand. I was able to give my all in every job because I felt valued and needed. Through these diverse job experiences, I gained valuable insights into work styles, roles that suit me, and organizational dynamics.

I chose to pursue job hunting based on my desired industry and role. In the future, I aim to become someone who can empathize with others and connect people through my own ideas. This aspiration grew from my experiences in university as captain of the Waseda University Riko Tennis Club and as a private tutor, which deepened my interest in designing environments that influence people’s values and emotions.

As a captain in my club, I worked towards improving the winning rate of the women’s team by consulting with members from different positions and grades, striving to create an organization where every member, including supporters, feels comfortable.

As a private tutor, I proposed systematic and understandable approaches to problem-solving different from textbook methods, and encouraged effective study habits.

Through these experiences, I found joy in being directly appreciated for my ideas and contributing to the vitality of organizations as a member. Alongside my lifelong passion for creating things ‘from zero to one,’ I have developed a deep interest in ‘designing from one to beyond,’ inspired by my experiences in club activities and tutoring.

Looking ahead, I hope to leverage my cultivated artistic sensitivity and diverse methods of expression. At the same time, I intend to continue pursuing ‘from zero to one’ creation as a hobby.

【To Underclassmen】
The Department of Intermedia Art and Science is truly an amazing place. It gathers a variety of explosive personalities. Even if you can’t imagine what you want to do right now, there are plenty of programs here that you can enjoy. Instead of focusing only on graduate school admission rates or employment rates, please pursue the path that you believe is right for you. Be aware that you must complete all graduation credits (excluding Group D) by the end of your third year to start working on your graduation thesis.

【To Preparatory Students】
The entry exam period can be long and challenging, and you may often feel like you’re not growing. I myself have experienced numerous setbacks, but I have never regretted those experiences. Looking back years later, I understand the meaning of those experiences and am grateful for them. From these experiences, I’ve learned to believe that if I give my all and still can’t achieve the desired outcome, then that outcome is the best for me. Regardless of the results, the time for reward will surely come, so please give it your all right now.

① About Choosing Your Discipline

Choosing your discipline within the Faculty of Integrated Science and Engineering is crucial. It’s important to conduct thorough research beforehand and decide on a department that truly interests you. After enrollment, strive to achieve good grades so that you can pursue your desired field of study.

② About Aesthetic Sense

In the Department of Intermedia Art and Science, it’s a fact that there are many unique students, but it’s not a department exclusively for artists. This is because art is not the only form of expression. Expression can take various forms such as language, numbers, science, music, video, photography, programming, and more. The allure of this department lies in the ability to explore your own methods of output.

③ About Student Life

During the first year, there are only two mandatory courses within the department for the entire year. Other courses include mandatory subjects like physics, mathematics, programming, and English. It might be challenging initially for students who have come to learn artistic expression, but from the second year onward, there are more elective courses available, allowing each student to enjoy learning according to their interests within a wide range of course concepts.

Finally,

Encountering the Department of Intermedia Art and Science was a turning point in my life. I truly love this department, its friends, and its instructors. To all prospective students, I hope you choose your faculty and department carefully so that you can have a meaningful and fulfilling student life. Don’t forget to look forward to the excitement and joy that your future holds. I look forward to meeting all of you someday.