A conversation between current students and graduates Otemae College
![[Interview between current students and graduates Otemae College] Image](/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/e28398175a34c44c3adcfd24ca853032.jpg)
To the teachers who know me better than anyone else
I was given the courage to take the first step.
Arisa Terada
Second-year student, Department of Life Design Otemae College Junior College
I am scheduled to join a local credit union. While majoring in digital design, I have also broadened my interests to the financial field and obtained bookkeeping and MOS certifications. I am also studying with an eye towards obtaining TOEIC and FP (Financial Planner) certifications.
A transitional period from focusing solely on motocross,
Three years I was able to confront my life.
Saya Yasuhara
Former motocross racer / Race commentator and MC
Graduated Otemae College Department of Life Design in 2019.
She is the All Japan Motocross Championship LMX champion. After becoming the first woman to obtain an International A-class license, she enrolled in Otemae College in 2016. After retiring from racing, she has worked in motorcycle-related fields such as race commentary and hosting.
Ms. Terada, who is enthusiastically working to acquire qualifications, and Ms. Yasuhara, a graduate who balanced her studies with her activities as a motocross racer in the motorcycle sport, had a conversation about the appeal of the long-term study program at the junior college. They looked back on their three years of student life and memories of teachers who encouraged them at turning points in their lives.
Three intense years where you can cherish your own time.
Terada: The appeal of the long-term enrollment system is that you only attend school three days a week, and you have the remaining two days free. In addition to part-time jobs and studying for qualifications, I also enjoy going to concerts and traveling.
Yasuhara: I also enrolled at the age of 25 while I was still an active racer, and while balancing my racing career with my studies, I obtained 18 different qualifications, including announcing, beauty, medical office administration, and color certification.
Terada: I also have a lot of certifications, like MOS and bookkeeping, but that's amazing!
Yasuhara: I took as many credits as I could, and I also tried to get every qualification I could. That effort has been useful in my work.
Terada: Because you can freely combine courses to study, you can prepare broadly for the future. When I enrolled, I didn't have a clear dream, so I initially chose a course that allowed me to study IT, which seemed like a safe bet. However, I became interested in finance and shifted my focus to studying Business Administration and the FP (Financial Planner) certification. Ultimately, I chose to work at a credit union.
Yasuhara: Thanks to the three-year program, which gave me more time and a variety of options, I was able to re-evaluate how I wanted to live after retirement.
Warm and attentive support is the essence of "Otemae-ism."
Terada: I decided to enroll here partly because of the enthusiastic recommendation of a friend who attended Otemae Junior College, and it seems to have a strong reputation in the community.
Yasuhara: I also feel the Otemae brand. My mother and grandmother encouraged me, saying "this school is good," and I'm happy that the teachers provide thorough guidance, support for obtaining qualifications, and job hunting assistance.
Terada: I think the "Otemae spirit" is alive and well in the way the professor is so attentive and caring. He knows better than anyone how hard I've worked, so when I passed the bookkeeping exam, he was happy for me...
Yasuhara: There are so many teachers who offer words tailored to each individual student. I had an unstable job, so I was anxious, but they showed me possibilities from a different perspective than my parents, and there were times when a single word from a teacher helped me make a decision.
Terada: I also had some things I found difficult to talk about with my parents. I think they'll be a place I can return to someday when I'm feeling lost.
Yasuhara: What I learned at Otemae has become the foundation of my life, and I truly feel that this is what "STUDY FOR LIFE" means.
Terada: I want to make the most of the fortunate environment I'm in for the remaining year and make the most of my life!
Yasuhara: Enjoy the freedom you can only experience in this moment to the fullest, and try everything you can. Have a student life without regrets!
*All information is based on interviews conducted at the time. (March 2026)