Voices of Student Members
For me, the KIP forum is a valuable opportunity to meet leading experts on a wide range of social issues and policies, from economics, education and science to politics, diplomacy and defence. We can hear from who are not easy to meet, such as those working on the frontline or in leadership positions in companies, research institutions and governments.
KIP is also a valuable place to deepen my understanding of various social issues, and to practice 'thinking' and 'discussion' while interacting with peers from diverse backgrounds with different age backgrounds. Through discussions with other members, I can learn new perspectives that I had no idea, correct weaknesses in my opinion and brush up on it.
(Masaki Goto, Junior, Faculty of Law, The University of Tokyo)
In KIP, I organize and take part in various activities like forums, projects, and regional study trips, surrounded by excellent but yet humble peers. Through such experiences, I learned to act flexibly according to changing circumstances, which is an important skill. I always encounter unexpected ideas from other KIP members, which helps me to blend them with my own ideas, building up a completely new idea. I am very grateful that I am able to grow up as a person through experiences at KIP.
(Yui Kuze, Junior, Faculty of Agriculture, The University of Tokyo)
Through KIP's activities, my interests have broadened.
I gained new knowledge by participating in forums on diverse topics such as information technology, politics, and education. KIP activities give me hints to think about what I want to do and what I can do in the future. The forums, where I can learn from specialists in various fields and deepen my thinking, and the regional training programs, where I can hear real voices, are quite useful for me to find out what social issues I want to solve in the future.
In addition, the experiences on the committee have helped me develop the social common sense and skills that I will need in my future work.
(Kotaro Ahiko, Sophomore, Faculty of Engineering, Tohoku University)
I joined KIP in the summer of my junior year of university. By participating in forums and regional trips, I was exposed to members' vibrant intellectual curiosity and lively discussions. That turned my philosophy of life, which I had previously cultivated, upside down in a positive way. KIP is a place for people of assorted ages and backgrounds, so regardless of your enrollment period, there is an atmosphere that welcomes you as a stimulating opinion. Above all, what I like about KIP is its culture that values "learning from each other”. Although it is said that young people are becoming more and more individualistic these days, it is not possible to cut off relationships with others in life. I feel that such an environment where people can train themselves to respect others, to exchange opinions, and to seek for better decisions for the whole is essential.
(Kana Matsuya, Rikkyo University, Faculty of Contemporary Psychology)
KIP is like a dojo to me. People with diverse expertise, regardless of their field of study, gather at KIP. KIP provides constant opportunities to learn and discuss various topics. Through forums and projects, I have not only learned but also trained myself to express "my own opinions," which has been applied for my current research activities. Additionally, acquiring basic communication skills such as prompt responses and punctuality has been extremely valuable.
In recent years, Japanese politics and culture have attracted significant attention from abroad. Leveraging my experiences at KIP, I continue to learn about and convey information on Japan while living in Switzerland, consciously positioning myself as a person well informed about Japan with a global mindset.
(Fumimasa Kubo, ETH Zurich, Doctoral student)
I was able to learn the difficulty and fun of discussion by communicating my opinions and trying to understand the opinions of others among KIP members, who have a wide variety of knowledge and ways of thinking. In addition, the monthly forums cover a wide range of topics, and each time I participate, I am required to think about each topic as if it were my own. The knowledge I gained here has acted as a bridge, and I have found that the number of topics that interest me in my daily life has increased, broadening my horizons. I joined KIP from a little curiosity, but it has now become a very important place that enriches my student life.
(Kaede Matsumoto, Freshman, College of Art and Design, Musashino Art University)
KIP broadens my perspective on learning significantly. I had been interested in international and social issues, but I didn’t have the opportunity to discuss them. I wanted to learn and discuss these issues more, so I joined KIP. Each forum is difficult to fully understand, but thanks to other members who have knowledge and different points of view, I am able to think more deeply about the topics. After discussing the theme of “Educational Opportunities and DEI at U.S. Universities,” I often think about discrimination in my daily life. Finally, writing a report after every forum is an opportunity to learn more and organize my learning.
(Junior, Faculty of Integrated Human Studies, Kyoto University)
Since I joined KIP when I was a freshman, I have learned a wide range of knowledge through enormous times of discussions with senior members who have overwhelming knowledge and logical thinking.
Through participating not only in forums but also in regional studies, projects, and committees, I learned how to work as a team and how to carry out discussions and investigations.
Such hands-on experiences taught me more than only discussing in the room.
Let me share my motto “It is harder to be kind than clever.” A KIP alumnus taught me this phrase.
I would like to continue to be involved in creating such a place for the exchange of knowledge and opinions that transcends generations.
(Mahiro Ebara, 4th year student, Faculty of Engineering, The University of Tokyo)
I think the most attractive point of KIP is that you can discuss with people from various backgrounds. In fact, at the monthly forums, we have a wide range of students from a variety of majors that you would not normally have the opportunity to meet if you just went to your own university.
You can also exchange opinions with workings people who are active in various fields and high school students with high aspirations. By being exposed to the opinions of members with diverse perspectives and perspicacity, I have become more sensitive to what is happening in society. I am now in the habit of having my own opinions on a regular basis.
I think I am now able to express my own opinions in discussions.
(Shutaro Fujimoto, Sophomore, Faculty of Medicine, Jichi Medical University)
Being a high school student, it is very difficult to keep up with the advanced lectures and debates taking place among graduate students and adults. However, this also means that everything is new to me, and I can learn from every one of them. It is challenging to state my own opinion in this environment, but since there is no right or wrong for KIP’s debate, I gradually became able to ask questions and share my thoughts. I think KIP is a perfect environment to challenge and develop yourself. In addition, the topics for each debate are rich in variety and allow me to explore areas I’ve never learned before. As a high school student still considering my future path, I feel every session as a very valuable opportunity to gain clues for my future.
(Nagi Matsuyama, Second, year, Doshisha International Senior High Schoo)
Since KIP members come from various academic disciplines, their career paths after graduation are diverse, fostering connections across different industries and generations. I joined KIP as a student and had a rich and intense experience. Now, as a graduate, I work at a consulting firm and continue to be a member of KIP as a young professional.
The skills and debate abilities I developed during my time at KIP have been immensely beneficial in my career. The connections I made with insightful peers at KIP are a great source of strength. Participating in KIP events after graduation allows me to gain inspiration and learn from both professionals and students. Engaging in discussions with people from diverse backgrounds helps broaden my perspective, making KIP a valuable and educational place even after graduating.
(Rina Tanaka, Associate, Consulting Firm)