(July) Tsubasa 2023

Dongu: Nice to meet you, and thank you for accepting the interview today. My name is Dongu, and I am a junior in the faculty of business.

Keith: Thanks for interviewing, too.

Dongu: Before we start the interview, please introduce yourself.

Keith: My name is Li Menhei from Hong Kong, and I am a senior in the faculty of letter.My nickname is Keith, and my hobbies are reading books and traveling.

Dongu: Traveling is amazing! I want to travel with you! Let’sl talk about the trip later and start the interview. I don't think there's much time left until graduation, what kind of student life have you had?

Keith: That's right. In the first and second grades, it was difficult to do face-to-face activities because of COVID-19, but since last year, I have been able to live a normal student life. I was able to participate in Ryukitsu as a staff member for the first time last year, and this year I would like to enjoy the rest of my college life as a participant.

Dongu: It's true that two years of online college life was harsh.

Keith: But I have no regrets. I'm glad that I had the opportunity to enter the Bekka course before the COVID-19 pandemic and learned real Japanese and explored life in Japan. From the fall semester of the first year, I was able to do hybrid activities and also joined the club.

Dongu: That’s cool! I want to talk about your club activity.

Keith: I love music, so I tried band activities. I play electric guitar and sing as vocals.There are no club activities like Japan in Hong Kong, so it was really fun to be able to actually do the activities that I saw only with Japanese anime. All the students at Soka University are kind, and there are many students who want to get involved with foreign students, so please give it a try. I can make a lot of Japanese friends too (lol)

Dongu: It is fascinating! Have you decided on your plans after graduation?

Keith: My job hunting was successful, and I ended up working in the human resource development field. It is a job that uses the company's technology to grow the business development and productivity of customers. I will be joining the company next year, so I am having my break now (laughs). I still have time left, so I am thinking of going on a graduation trip that I have been thinking about for a long time. I would like to travel to as many countries as possible by taking a train that goes around each country in Europe. I haven't decided the plans yet, but I'd like to initiate in a country where plane tickets are cheap. Even so, the ticket price is still expensive, so I have to work hard at my part-time job too(laughs).

Dongu: Yes, you said that you love traveling. I remember that you have been to various parts of Japan since you were a Bekka student, so how was your trip in Japan?

Keith: That's right. Until the second grade, it was difficult to go out due to COVID-19 restrictions, but since last year, policy has been eased and I have traveled to various areas. I bought a car for my trip, so I could travel further.

Dongu: That makes me envy you (laughs). Have you ever thought, “I really want to try this" when I was a Bekka student?

Keith: It's language study, after all. I have already taken the highest level in the Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT), but I would like to take it again and check my ability. Also, my current goal is to get a high score on the TOEIC test that will be held at school this July. And I would like to perform my self-composed music in front of everyone at the year-end Forever Party. I also want to take lots of memorable photos. I believe that photos are the best way to capture and preserve memories for life(laughs).

Dongu: Yes, that is true(laughs). The interview is over now! Lastly, please say something that you want to convey to your juniors as seniors!

Keith: Now that you have the opportunity, please try as many things as you can! Looking back on my four years at university, there were many daunting things, but I tried with the intention of trying first. I want you to challenge yourself with the feeling that the first step determines everything.

Dongu: You really are a senior(laughs). Thank you for responding to today's interview!

Keith: Thank you very much!

Interviewer： Dongu

Secretary：Iho