The Most Important Lesson That I Learn From My College Life

It's been two months since I graduated from my university, Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University (APU), Beppu, Japan. I still can't believe I've graduated and start to face a real life. It feels like yesterday I just came to Japan and APU for the 1st time with so much excitement. Time flies so fast!

APU卒業するのはもう２ヶ月だ。もう卒業するってまだ信じられないな～。全ては昨日みたいに。初めて日本とAPUに来た。時間が早いね！

"SHAPE YOUR WORLD"

That's the slogan of my university, APU. Everyone has different perspective of the meaning of "Shape Your World". For me, it's same with "Shape Your Life". In APU, I learn to shape my own path, my dream, passion, goal, achievement, networking with people around the world, and others aspect in my life. 4 years I spent my life to learn how to shape my own world while study International Management, join student organization, perform in multicultural week event, participate in exchange event and volunteer activity. Of course, since APU is International university where people around the world come to Japan, to APU, to study in the top of Jumonjibaru hill, APU campus, I study in the place where culture difference is common sense.

その言葉は立命館アジア太平洋（APU)の標語だ。その標語の意味は皆違う意見があると思う。僕にとって"Shape Your Life"と同じ意味だ。自分の夢、情熱、目標などを身に着けるのはAPUで学んだ。国際経営を勉強しながら学生組織とパフォーマンス活動をしながら自分の世界を形にする（Shape your worldって日本語でなんて言う分からん（(笑)）。もちろん、APU国際関係キャンパスなので異文化は当たり前のことになる。

In my 1st and 2nd year, I struggled with understanding culture difference, speaking English and Japanese in daily conversation, and adapting life in Japan. Looking back to that time, it was really important lesson in my life. 3rd year and 4th year, I start to "shape my world" more seriously. Step by step, I find out my dream, my passion, and what kind of person that I want to be. 

１と２年生の時、異文化を理解することと英語と日本語で会話するのは大変だった。それを思い出したらあの時色々学んだ。３と４年生の時”自分の世界を作る”のは真面目にするよね。少しずつ自分の夢と情熱そしてどの人に成長するのは分かってきた。

But, what is the most important lesson that I learn in APU? This question is often comes out when I go to job interview, talking with companies' people, or even from my family. I'm thinking what is the most important lesson that I learn in 4 years college life in APU.

でも、APUで一番大事な教訓って何だ？その質問は面接によく出てきたよ。僕は良く考えてAPUで４年間何が一番大事な教訓って何だかな？

Let me tell you, my major is International Management, my study focus is Strategic Management and Organization, my seminar class is Human Resource Management, my thesis is CSR of APU in order to develop Beppu city and its citizen.

学部は国際経営学部だ。専門は戦略経営＆組織だ。ゼミクラスは人事経営そして卒業論文はAPUに果している、別府市と別府市民の発展に対して社会的な責任だ。

Is that the most important lesson in my college life? Study International Managment? NO!

それは大学生活で一番大事な教訓？国際経営を勉強すること？違う！

In APU, I learn to communicate with English and Japanese language for my class, group work, school organization, and other activities. Now I am able to speak three languages, Indonesian, English, and Japanese.

APUで英語と日本語でコミュニケーションを取ることを学んだ。今は３つ言語を喋れる。

Is that the most important lesson in my college life? Being able to speak three languages? NO!

それは大学生活で一番大事な教訓？３つ言語喋れること？違う！

I did part-time job and join many student activities while I have to focus on my study. I did my best to manage my time.

勉強しながらアルバイトと学生活動もしていた。時間管理がうまくできるのをよく頑張った。

Is that the most important lesson in my college life? Time management? NO!

それは大学生活で一番大事な教訓？時間管理？違う！

So, what is the most important lesson in my college life? The answer is:

じゃ、大学生活で一番大事な教訓って何だ？その答えは：

RESPECT 

尊敬

For 4 years, I study with students who come from Asian countries such as Japan, Korea, China, Taiwan, Nepal, Mongolia, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Thailand, Vietnam, Philippine, and of course Indonesia. Alongside with European students such as Germany, Belgium, Estonia, Poland, England, France, Italy, and Norway. Including students from America continent such as Canada, US, Mexico, Nicaragua, and Costa Rica. Don't forget students from Oceania continent such as Fiji, Tonga, and Papua New Guinea. We have also students from African continent such as Algeria, Botswana, Zambia, Mozambique, Kenya, and Uganda. 

４年間、他のアジアの学生と一緒に勉強する。例えば日本、韓国、中国、台湾、ネパール、モンゴリア、スリーランカ、バングラデシュ、ウズベキスタン、タジキスタン、タイ、ベトナム、フィリピン、そしてもちろんインドネシア。ヨーロッパの学生もいる。例えばドイツ、ベルギー、エストニア、ポーランド、イングランド、フランス、イタリア、ノルウェー。アメリカ大陸から来た学生も、例えばアメリカ、カナダ、メキシコ、ニカラグア、コスタリカ。オセアニア大陸の学生もいる、例えばフィジー、トンガ、とパプアニューギニア。アフリカ大陸の学生もいる、例えばアルジェリア、ボツワナ、ザンビア、モザンビーク、ケニア、ウガンダ。

My floor mates when I lived in APU's dormitory, AP House. This moment when we're finished our performance in AP House world festival, 2012. There are Japanese, Korean, Chinese, Fijian, Uganda, American, Thai, Vietnamese, and I'm the only Indonesian

The most diversity group I ever joined in APU life when we went Ritsumeikan High shcool in Kyoto for English Teacher Assistant. There are Indonesian, Japanese, Bangladeshi, Myanmar, Filipino, Fijian, German, Sri Lankan, Kenyan-Japanese (half), Thai

It's only countries name, not including how many students who come from those countries. Not including Professors and office staffs. It's also contain religion difference such as Islam, Christianity, Catholic, Buddha, Hindu, and other religions.

それはただ国の名前だけ、人数はまだ入らない。教授とオフィススタッフもまだ入らない。宗教も色々、例えばイスラム教、キリスト教、カトリック教、仏教、ヒンズー教、と他の宗教。

There is common sense in APU environment, do you know what? CULTURE DIFFERENCE! In order to live in culture difference, what do you need? RESPECTING EACH OTHER!

APUで１つの当たり前なことがある、それを知っているの？それは異文化だ！異文化の環境に住むのは一番必要なもの分かる？異文化を理解することだ！

Yeah, I learn how to respect in culture difference environment and being able to communicate my feeling and opinion in right way. In the class group work, I often studying with students who come from different countries where I'm the only Indonesian. I often joining volunteer and exchange activity with locals in the group where nobody come from same countries. It's wonderful, me and my group mates communicate well in English or Japanese, we have very funny joke, wonderful idea, and unique way to solve problems. Because we're different, we're united each other.

そうだ、自分の気持ちを表せるためにまず異文化を理解していい方法で自分の思うことを話す。授業のグループワークで違う国の方と一緒にした。ボランティアと交流活動にもよくただ一人だけインドネシア人にいた他の国の方と一緒に参加する。僕とグループメイトと英語とか日本語でコミュニケーションを取って、面白い冗談や意見などよく話してユニーク方法で問題を解決した。僕たちは違うから心が１つになる。

Even among Indonesia community, there's so many differences. Original Indonesia (pribumi class) and Chinese-Indonesia, Jakarta's citizen and non-Jakarta citizen, Java islanders and other Islanders, Muslim or non-Muslim. When we're coming to APU, it doesn't matter anymore. Especially, when we manage APU Indonesian Week event, we work together to success Indonesian week. We forget that we have so many differences. APU, APUINA, and Indonesian Week unite us.

インドネシア会も色々違うことが沢山ある。本当のインドネシア人と中国ハーフインドネシア人、ジャカルタ市民と他の市民、ジャワ島の島民と他の島民、イスラム教等と他の宗教の方。APUに一緒に行った時そんなこと問題ない。特に、インドネシアウィークをマネージした時、僕たちは一緒に頑張ってイベントを成功させた。僕たちの中に色々違いがあるのを本当に忘れてた。APU,インドネシア会、インドネシアウィークを僕たちに団結した。

My Indonesian batch Fall 2011 students and Spring 2012 students. No matter what our ethnic or background, in APU we are family

Black skin or white skin, small eyes or big eyes, Asian or Western, Islam or non-Islam, it doesn't matter in APU. We're living and studying together in small place on the top of Jumonjibaru hills, APU campus. Because we're different, we're united each other. When we're not in APU campus, we have one heart like "Ow, we're APU student!". Our university name indirectly, has become our identity. I can see how APU can unite people around the world.

黒い肌とか白い肌、小さい目とか大きい目、アジア系とかウェスタン、イスラム教等とか他の宗教、APUでそんなこと関係ない。僕たちは山の上の小さい所にAPUキャンパスという所に一緒に勉強する。僕たちは違いが沢山あるからこそ団結ができた。APUの外に会ったら”あ、APU学生だ！”という気持ちがある。僕たちの大学の名前は僕たちの氏名になる。

In the class, you will hear people speaking in many different languages. It's beauty for me! I feel like I was living in different world. When the Professors open discussion section, we often debate each other with different perspective. I enjoy that moment! Even I didn't join the discussion, but it's beauty to see how students have different perspective but still respecting each other. Well, sometimes they do too much, yeah they're only human being so if sometimes there's conflict because of culture difference, it's normal.

クラスに色々な言語を聞こえてきた。めっちゃいいと思う！僕は違う世界にいるみたい。教授はディスカッショントピックを貰った時、学生たちは自分の意見を出したり他の学生とディベートしたりした。参加しなくてもよく楽しんでいた。意見と考え方が違ってもお互いに尊敬するのはいいことだと思う。まあ、時々やりすぎるから、喧嘩になる前にディスカッションを止めた。ただ普通の人間だから時々喧嘩になったら普通だと思うね。

Yes, APU is like small world. The only place in the world where you can see people around the world living together in peaceful environment without war or fighting. Imagine if the real world can be like APU campus? Differences can create one heart.

そうだ、APUは小さな世界だと思う。世界の色々違う所から来て戦争がなく平和の環境で一緒に住んだり勉強したりした。もしこの世界はAPUキャンパスみたいにできたらいいな。違いは人々の心を団結する。

I and my friends from undergraduate and graduate students perform in Philippine culture week 2015 grand show. We practiced for two months together. Sitting front row, from left, Thai, Philippines, Kenyan. Second row/standing, from left to right: Laos, Vietnamese, Philippines, Indonesian, Philippines, Indonesian, Japaneses, Thai, Tajikistan, Nicaraguan, Vietnamese

That's the most important lesson that I learn during my 4 years college life! That's the thing that I can't find in another university. I'm really glad that my decision to choose APU as the only university that I wanted to go when I was high school student is right. The best decision ever!

それは僕にとって４年間大学の生活で一番大事な教訓だ！他の大学に行けばこんなことを学べないと思う。高校生の時APUだけに行きたいという決断が本当に良かった。最高の決断だと思う！

Imagine if the beauty of culture difference in APU can applied in the real world! Imagine how people can live in peaceful life where differences isn't matter! Imagine how people work each other to represent other countries' culture event, like in APU, students around the world participate in multicultural week event such as Thai, Vietnamese, and Indonesian week! Imagine how people have freedom to "shape their world"!

もし本当の世界に皆異文化を理解できばどうかな？もし社会の中に色々な違いがあるおかげで皆の心１つになればどうかな？もしAPUのマルチカルチュラルウィークイベントみたいに皆は誰かの国の文化をパフォーマンスするために努力してどうかな？もし皆は自由があって自分の世界の形を作る”shape their world"できたらどうかな？

I dream to bring APU environment to the real world at least in Indonesia, where people still fighting each other because there's no respect and toleration among culture and religion difference. 

いつかAPUみたいな環境は本当の世界、少なくともインドネシアに現実したい。なぜなら、インドネシアで文化の違いの制とか宗教の違いの制で喧嘩する人がまだ多い。それを止めたい！

Here's my message to all APU students:
以下で俺から現在のAPU学生に届きたいメッセージだ:

Hey APU student, do you realize where you are study? Do you realize how lucky we are, to be able to live in small world where differences isn't matter? Do you realize how beauty our campus life? Do you know the other young man around the world who can't have what we have because their countries still in war or conflict? Do you want to bring what we have in APU to the real world? Do you want to share what we learn in APU to the people especially children and young man like us so that they can have education like us? Do you want to stop war and make better place for living? Then, let's bring we learn in APU to them! Let's show that world peace isn't just dream or nonsense talking, because in APU we can make it!

なあAPU学生、僕たちの大学ってすごい所思っているか？僕たちはこの小さな世界で勉強して本当に良かったと思っているか？僕たちの大学生活がすごいと思っているか？世界にある所で僕たちみたいな若い人僕たちみたいに大学で勉強して小さな世界で勉強ができない若い人まだ沢山いると知っているか？本当の世界にAPUにある物シェアしたいのか？世界の子供たちと若い人達は僕たちみたいな教育されるためにAPUで学んだことは世界にシェアしたいのか？じゃ、APUで学んだことを本当の世界に持っていこう！世界平和はただの夢じゃないって見せてやろうよ。だって、APUでそんなことできるから。

"What is the most important lesson in your college life?" 

"じゃ、君にとって大学に一番大事な教訓って何だ？"

You'd better know the answer. It's not only for your job hunting or any other thing, it's for yourself, for your life in order to "shape your world".  

その答えを見つけたほうがいい。就職のためだけではなく、君は"shape your world"ができるためにそんなことが分からないといけない。

Actually, I have one wish but I can't realize while in APU. I want all APU people, including students, professors, office staffs, and Beppu and Oita citizens sing Michael Jackson's song "We are the world" and upload it in social media. I want to people around the world see the harmonization in APU campus where people living in multicultural environment with tolerant and respect each other. I want APU students show to the world that differences shouldn't be matter because we're human being, we're different, and because we're different, we're united each other. Like in APU, we're come from different countries with different cultures, but we're united each other and become one heart as APU student. People around the world must see how beauty living with respect and toleration. I hope people can stop fighting, stop being racist, and stop the war. That's why, all APU people, we must show to them that respecting each other is very beauty.

実はね、１つだけ願いがある。いつかAPUの全員「学生、教授、オフィススタッフ、別府市民と大分市民」はマイケルジャクソンの唄 "We are the world"が歌ってSNSにアップしてほしい。世界にAPUキャンパス環境は皆異文化環境でお互いに異文化が理解できるのが見せたい。世界に違いことは問題ではないって見せたい。人間だから違いだ。そして違いだからこそ僕たちを団結する。APUみたいに、僕たちは違う国から来て文化も色々違うけどお互いに異文化を理解してお互いに尊敬して僕たちの心は１つになる。それはAPUだ！戦争とかレイシストとか喧嘩を止めてほしいんだ！だから、APUの皆さん見せてやろう！異文化理解するのは素敵だ！

I hope someday my wish can be realized. If APU student or alumni want to make project to sing "We are the world", I want to join! Even I'm not good in singing but I want to participate. And I hope, I can apply what I learn in APU to the real world. If I can work with former APU students, that will be perfect!

いつかその願いを叶えられる。もし、”We are the world"を歌うプロジェクトがあれば僕が参加させて！歌が下手でも協力したい。そして、APUで学んだことは世界に持って行きたい。他のAPU卒業生と一緒にやれば完璧だ！

Just say "Thank You" to APU isn't enough. I have to apply what I learn in APU to the real world

The place where I start everything. Where I can see the beauty of respecting each other, Ritsumeikan APU