My encounter with a "teacher" who helped me change from a passive person and my path to growth

When I was a child, my grandfather, who enjoyed visiting art museums, would take me to various art museums, which sparked my interest in painting. Then, after visiting the Van Gogh exhibition and the Louvre exhibition held in Osaka, I had a strong desire to visit the Louvre itself, and so I started looking for a faculty where I could study foreign languages. At that time, I thought, "I can study foreign languages at Otemae University 's Faculty of Intercultural Japanese Studies, and maybe I'll even be able to go to France!" and decided to enroll.

After enrolling, I enjoyed taking classes in Faculty of Intercultural Japanese Studies, but I also took classes in the School of Faculty of Modern Social Studies (Social Studies) using the "crossover system" that allows students to study across faculties and majors. Every class was interesting, and I was particularly fascinated by the on-demand class "Reading the News." I usually read the news online and rarely had the opportunity to read newspapers, so "reading" was a fresh and challenging experience. The final assignment for the class was to write a report on a news story that had caught my attention, and I chose a real murder case.
Through this class, I became interested in "social issues happening close to home," such as young carers. As I came across one social issue after another that I had heard of but didn't really know much about, my desire to know more and learn more grew.

Around that time, I was wondering whether to transfer to the School of Contemporary Social Studies, but a friend who was also at the School encouraged me by saying, "If you're taking that class as a crossover, then why not come to the School of Contemporary Social Studies?" That one word cleared my doubts, and I decided to transfer to Faculty of Modern Social Studies in my third year.

When I joined the seminar, the interview with the professor in charge was a major turning point for me. We talked for about an hour about everything from the seminar content to casual conversation, and during that time the professor asked me, "Why don't you try being the seminar leader?" I had no leadership experience up until then, and there were many other people who were suitable. However, the professor nominated me because he thought it would be interesting if someone who at first glance doesn't seem to have leadership skills could demonstrate it.
Although I was nervous, I was appointed as the leader of 14 people and I was determined to do my best since I was entrusted with the role. First, I started by proactively talking to all the seminar students and building relationships of trust. I am shy and not good at speaking up, but being given a role allowed me to approach the task in a positive way.

During Golden Week in my third year, I volunteered with about five other seminar students at the "Universal Kawaii" event hosted by Kawaiku Care, a general incorporated association, through an introduction from my professor. The event featured a fashion show and a variety of stalls selling miscellaneous goods, and I was mainly in charge of reception, where I was able to talk to many visitors. I had expected that most of the attendees would be middle-aged or elderly, but in fact there were many younger visitors. I was surprised to learn that people my age were interested in activities related to caregiving, and it completely changed my perspective.
After this experience, I began to think, "I want my seminar friends to try volunteering too," so when I asked my professor about other activities, he gave me a number of ideas. In the summer, we all volunteered at a YMCA children's event. At first, I was confused about how to communicate with the children, but after my classmates taught me tips on how to talk to them, I was able to fully enjoy myself with the children in the end. I feel that this volunteer work helped me develop an attitude of actively interacting with people. Then, in the winter, someone from the YMCA asked me, "Would you like to participate again?" and this time they entrusted me with the management aspects as well. I was happy to have been able to play a role in planning and implementing the time and specific steps for the children to experience traditional games.
I was originally a passive person, but through these volunteer experiences I feel I have developed the awareness to take action on my own and work together with others.

One of the most memorable activities during my four years was the autumn seminar camp held in Oita. The seminar members were divided into two close groups, and there was a big gap between those who didn't usually talk much. Therefore, I thought that the camp would be an opportunity to increase the sense of solidarity throughout the seminar.
That said, it's inevitable that we'll split up into groups while traveling by bus. However, by harvesting the rice, everyone was able to focus on one thing and a sense of solidarity was born. When we suggested having a drinking party in the evening, many members joined in. Comparing the photos taken at the beginning and end of the camp, we can see that the atmosphere had shifted from being cold at first to everyone interacting happily by the end... The seminar came together throughout the camp, and a bright atmosphere was created.

I also feel that I have become more positive through these various experiences. I learned the importance of expressing my opinions and taking responsibility for what I say, and as a result, I was able to secure a job at a real estate company, which was my desired position. Initially, I had received a job offer from a bank, but I was able to reassess what I wanted to do and enjoy the process of job hunting, which I am very happy about.

I am currently working on my graduation thesis on the topic of "young carers," which came up in a class called "Reading the News," which sparked my interest in contemporary sociology. I have an older sister and three younger siblings, and in the past, my mother was caring for my grandmother, so my sister and I looked after my younger siblings. However, it was when the topic was brought up in this class that I realized I was a young carer. I realized that there are many other people like my sister and I who don't realize they are young carers, and that there are probably people who need support, and I wanted others around me to know this. So I am currently conducting interviews with a wide range of people, from organizations to individuals who are raising issues on social media, about the support and environment for young carers.

The class that led me to change clubs, the friends who encouraged me, the encounter with the professor who was a major turning point, the growth I experienced through volunteering and seminar camps, and the job offer I received during my job search... I entered university without much thought, but thanks to my kind teachers and friends, I was able to change myself. When I enter society, I want to first work hard at the work I'm given, gain the trust of others, and become someone who can accept myself.