GLICCから海外大学へと羽ばたいていった生徒たちが、その後どんな日々を送っているのか。今回、ロンドン・スクール・オブ・エコノミクス（LSE）で社会政策・経済学を学ぶHanaさんが、入学から1年を振り返るレポートを寄せてくれました。
読み終えてまず強く感じたのは、「大学に合格すること」は決してゴールではない、ということです。むしろHanaさんにとってLSEの1年は、自分を快適な場所に留まらせない環境の中で、能動的に動き、自らの可能性を切り拓いていく——そんな新たな成長のスタート地点でした。
私たちは受験指導を通じて「合格」という目標に向き合いますが、本当に大切なのはその先です。Hanaさんの文章には、合格後に待っている世界の広さと、そこで主体的に生きることの面白さが、生き生きと描かれています。ぜひ、彼女自身の言葉でお読みください。
Hanaさんからのレポート（原文)
I recently finished my final exams and with that, also my first year at the London School of Economics studying Social Policy with Economics. It has been an extremely eye-opening year that fulfilled my expectations and went beyond. The globally renowned character of this university especially reflects itself in the discussions that take place within and outside of the classroom, strongly encouraging one to think about and engage with beyond what is familiar. When I first started my student life back in September, I used to think the ambition and expertise that everyone around me carried was intimidating. However, months later, I have learned to be grateful for being in such an environment – this university is a place that refuses one to stay comfortable.
Building on this realisation, the biggest lesson I learned throughout this year is the importance of being proactive and putting myself out there. Hence, at the beginning of the academic year, I joined the committee of the LSE German society, the biggest German student organisation in Europe. As the only person on the committee without a German origin, let alone a German citizenship, I initially had doubts about joining the society. However, as a part of the annual LSE German Symposium in February, I got to conduct an interview with the former Chancellor Olaf Scholz, which was an extremely rewarding experience. Having spent 8 years of my life living in Germany, alongside of 4 years across the Netherlands and France, Europe has been my home, regardless of my Japanese nationality. Therefore, getting to hear from and meet some of the most influential figures, including respective diplomats and the chairman of the Munich Security Conference, among others, strengthened my interest in and confidence in working at the interface of Europe and Japan.
Constantly moving around growing up can be and was challenging – however, I am very confident that students who do this own a sense of flexibility and open-mindedness that gives one leverage. I have learned that being international, especially combined with a multilingual, can open many professional doors, and enabled me to land an internship in consulting this summer.
Outside academics and career prospects, the LSE has also allowed me to be proactive in my personal interests. Over the winter term, I have been working with other students to launch the LSE Cheerleading Club. As an incoming president of the Club, taking the initiative to lead a group has been challenging, yet a fun and rewarding experience.
Thus, coming to the LSE has given me much more than the knowledge of economics and social policy. It has given me resilience, drive, and confidence, and I am extremely excited for the next two years!
これから海外大学を目指すみなさんへ
Hanaさんのレポートには、海外大学で学ぶことの本質が詰まっています。ドイツ語ネイティブでもドイツ国籍でもない自分が、ヨーロッパ最大のドイツ系学生団体の運営に飛び込み、元首相へのインタビューという機会をつかみ取る——その一歩を踏み出せたのは、「居心地のよい場所に留まらない」という覚悟があったからでしょう。
そして彼女が手にしたのは、経済学や社会政策の知識だけではありませんでした。逆境を乗り越える力（resilience）、前へ進む推進力（drive)、そして自信（confidence）。これらはどれも、合格そのものではなく、合格した「その先」で能動的に動き続けたからこそ得られたものです。
海外大学進学は、長く険しい道のりに感じられるかもしれません。けれど、その合格はゴールではなく、自分の世界を何倍にも広げていくためのスタートラインです。今まさにその扉を目指しているみなさんが、いつかHanaさんのように、自分だけの物語を語ってくれる日を、私たちは心から楽しみにしています。
