As autumn approaches, ARI is now in full swing to begin recruiting Japanese Participants for the next academic year.

On Saturday, November 30, we will hold a trial enrollment event for prospective participants (More information at the end of this article).

So, here’s a report on the “now” of our Japanese graduate!

【Hiroka Komatsubara, 2020 graduate】

Q1, Why did you become a participant at ARI?

I wanted to acquire practical knowledge and skills in agriculture and was interested in international development.

I stayed at ARI several times before enrolling, and the atmosphere at ARI suited me well, which also encouraged me.

Q2, What was your biggest learning experience at ARI?

The friends who had gathered from all over the world had lived completely different lives from me.

There were too many differences to count, but no matter how different we were, we were all “the same human”.

It may be obvious, but it was the most important lesson I learned while living together with them.

Q3, About your current livelihood and life.

After graduating from ARI, I joined the Community-Reactivating Cooperator Squad in Shioya-town, Tochigi,
and work as an interview writer reporting on the people of the town.

Please follow my Instagram account! → @hiroka_408

Q4, What is your message to those who are considering becoming a participant at ARI?

We never can predict what will happen in the future in which we will live.

A major earthquake might hit tomorrow, we might win the lottery next month, or we might get sick in a year.

In this way, I personally feel that ARI is a place where we nurture in each other a kind of nucleus of ourselves that will remain unchanged even if some major life-changing event happens to us. At least, I was able to spend many rich days learning with people who have a flexible nucleus.

Anyway, if you are interested in, please visit ARI once! I support you!

☆ Are you interested in learning through hands-on experience in International Cultural Exchange × Agriculture × Community Development?

We are hosting an Open Campus event on Saturday, November 30th, where you can learn what it’s like to study at ARI and what the daily life of Japanese participants looks like!

Date: Saturday, November 30, 10:30 AM – 2:00 PM

Participation Fee: 2,000 yen (Cash payment on the day)

How to Apply:

Apply through the link in our bio→ https://ari.ac.jp/entry-form-open-campus2024?ari=news or contact us at [[email protected]]

Don’t miss this chance!