【May 2/4】Interview to new SUJ students (Graduate Student Edition)

Name: Luiz Garcia

Home-Country: Brazil (Current Location: France)

Program: Master of International Peace Studies (Till 2023)

Hobby: Traveling to different places (Total: 21 countries)

Question①：What was your image of Soka University before your enrollment?

Before being a Soka University graduate student, I had the opportunity to study at Soka Elementary and Junior High Schools in Brazil as well as to do a short-term non-degree course in Soka University for three weeks, three years ago. In this sense, I can say that I was familiarized with Soka education. But it is the first time I am experiencing it in higher studies.

Before being enrolled in Soka University, my vision was based on my friend’s eyes and experiences, which could be expressed by cultivating sincere friendships, studying hard, but also being proud and joyful.

Question②：How did your vision of Soka University changed after your enrollment?

Well, through my studies, I now have the opportunity to experience all of that by myself. It is like living the three founding principles of Soka University on a daily basis. As an international student, I am still physically apart from the university campus because of the current pandemic situation (I am currently in Paris, France).

However, I can truly feel the sincere intention of everyone beyond the screens: the enthusiasm of other students and seniors through their bright smiles when welcoming the new students, the warmest care of the staff through each message I receive and the humanistic education that is clearly cherished by our professors in classes; and throughout his meaningful words of encouragements, I can feel the deepest confidence Founder Ikeda has in our potential and our unique mission as Soka University students.

To illustrate what I am feeling now, as a new student, but physically apart from the campus, I would like to share these words from The Little Prince: “It is only with the heart that one can see rightly; what is essential is invisible to the eye’’. Because of FSA actions (such as Festivals and meetings) we can feel the heart of Soka University events apart from the campus.

Question③：Is there anything you would like to ask your seniors? If there is any question, please let us know.

I would like to know how to manage to live the experience of an international student of Soka University to the fullest.

Bonus: Let's hear more about him who likes to try new food and learn about different cultures!

Q. Where would you choose as the best country?

I would choose Naples and Japan.

Naples is a port city in southern Italy. I recommend you to enjoy pizza and to appreciate the Mediterranean Sea! Also, Japan has many attractions such as delicious food, Mt. Fuji, Hiroshima, and theme parks, so please enjoy it to the fullest!

Q. Tell me about your travel type! Are you a planner?

Actually I am not. I Just go, feel and enjoy the vibrancy of the place and then decide what to do following the events/mood/weather, of course, people.

Q. I heard that you used to make plans, but why did you stop making plans? Please tell us an episode that triggered you not to make plans!

I can tell you an episode of The first time I went to Switzerland. I was in the French region - so everything was easy because of the language. I had a detailed plan for all activities and places I wished to visit. One day, I went to a German region, as decided before.

But arriving there I was shocked to see that nobody could understand French - the people I met could only speak German. So I was a bit lost - and because of that, I took a wrong long-distance train - instead of taking the train back to Geneva, I took one which went to another German side of Switzerland - completely opposed to the place I should go.

That “mistake” literally made me change my mind about plans, language... we can not always communicate with words if we speak English (of course it helps a lot) but it was interesting to communicate in other forms than language, like mimic- and also, I was able to discover such a beautiful village that I was not supposed to visit in my plans. So since that day, I decided to not worry that much about travel plans and just follow the mood/people/vibes of the trip.