英米　１年
I have encountered many wonderful and exciting stories in the class so far, but this week’s story is one of the most powerful and energetic stories. Especially in Japan, generally speaking, it’s very hard for women to get the opportunity of reemployment, but Ms. Yoshida did it. I heard the success story, I think there’s no time when it is too late. I’ll remember the words “Grab the chance and make a move”

英米　２年

I like airports and I love aircraft and I also want to work with airplanes in the future, so today’s lecture was very interesting for me. In addition, I work at Samsonite and sometimes sell suitcases to foreign customers in English. And I sometimes ask them to show me their passport to buy the items. I’m not good at speaking in the real work place because my words don’t come out well, so I sometimes say “Passport, please.” However, I know this expression is impolite and like a command. But today, I could learn the appropriate way to communicate politely. I will use it next time.

英米　３年

I was surprised by the decision that Ms. Yoshida had made with strong conviction. It seems very difficult for a homemaker to move to America with children by herself. At the time when she moved to Tennessee, there was no smartphone, and I think the difficulties she confronted are completely beyond my imagination. However, she decided and moved into action. It sounded difficulty as well that a married woman with children got a new job even though she could speak English frequently. However, she got one because of her strong will and intention. Her words “Born again” really seemed to represent what she has achieved. Today I learned that having strong will and persevering with something is very important, and I would like to have a strong sense of purpose about everything.

英米　３年

Today’s lecture was quite inspiring, and I tried to absorb the essence of it. I want to mention about two things in this essay. First of all, I really respect Ms. Yoshida’s choice. She decided that she would go to a U.S. university to study. If I were her, once I had become a homemaker, I would not choose this kind of thing. Maybe I am stuck in a traditional Japanese mindset. I feel her action was pretty brave. However, with a strong will, any dreams will come true! Second, Ms. Yoshida’s planning was good, when she noticed she could not get a working visa of the U.S., she changed her plan depending on the situation. As for Ms. Yoshida’s case, she chose the right way to go to the U.S. and study in a U.S. university. Becoming flexible was very important. Finally, I was really inspired by her. I am thinking I want to go abroad and study new things after graduating from this university. Following her motto, “Grab the chance and make a move,” I want to be more active than now!

フランス　２年

Thank you for your amazing lecture. Your lecture gave me confidence about doing what I want to do in the future. I’m planning to go to the U.S. after I graduate from APU and go to university again there. So, I was very lucky to listen to your story today. I thought you are a very strong woman and it would be great if I could be like you one day. Many people around me don’t agree with me about going to the U.S. and I haven’t had much self-confidence, but now that I listened to your lecture, I want to grab the chance and start making a move to make my dream come true.

フランス　２年

Today, I could learn about the importance of passion from this lecture. I think that having a dream is a very easy thing. However, there are very few people who can take action, actually. I think that it’s very courageous to enter the university again after becoming an adult. After I heard Ms. Yoshida’s story, I could understand that her passion was her very big asset. She has the passion to learn about anything and everything. I want to learn from the example of Ms. Yoshida’s way of life.

スペイン　２年
Thank you for your presentation. I was very encouraged by your story. Now, I am annoyed about studying abroad because my parents work very hard. But my family doesn’t have money and I don’t have money either. Furthermore, I discovered that I can’t get scholarship. And then I really want to go to Spain, Catalonia to study about the problem of independence, but I have started planning to go to Mexico instead because the prices are much lower. However, listening to today’s lecture, while money and other conditions are very important, the most important thing is what I will do to make my dream true. Today, when my parents come home, I want to tell my parents what I think and want to do for my dream to visit Spain.

国際　２年

It was a very interesting and inspiring lecture. I learned that it is never too late to pursue our dreams or start something new. In fact, as Ms. Yoshida explained, Japan is not the best country when it comes to hiring someone who is older than the average job seekers. Other than that, there are many difficulties regarding job hunting, such as gender, and nationality. However, like Ms. Yoshida, I want to cover my ears to those negative ideas or voices and pursue my dream so that I can live a life without regrets in the future.

留学生

I think Miss. Yoshida is a strong woman with clear objectives and a good role-model for young women. She teaches us that there is more to life than just being a housewife and that you can achieve your dreams or do anything you want, any job. It is kind of sad that women like her need to apologize for following her dreams, but I believe that thanks to their work, their progress, new opportunities will be born for young women in a future.

留学生

Today’s lecture was extremely motivating and inspiring. It seems that Mrs. Yoshida is not only strong but also a daring woman. There are not so many people who are able to make such risky choices. It must have been such a lot of pressure as Mrs. Yoshida wasn’t single or young and had children to take of while trying to fulfill her dreams and follow her heart. Although she had a plan before going to USA, she had to change it fast, coping with difficulties, which surprised and amazed me. She became successful because of staying driven and focused, not giving up and going on till she got what she wanted. Grab the chance, this has been my motto for a long time and after hearing such stories. I am reminded that I must be right in moving in this direction. The perfect Christmas speech!