It's important to keep
challenging yourself and asking questions.
In doing so, you are bound to make new
discoveries.
http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/adv/sophia/english/sophian/sophi_01.html
Kurara Chibana
(Model, Japanese Ambassador
for the United Nations World Food Programme)
How the Phrase
"Experience Everything" Changed My Life
Since high school, I had
desired to study a wide range of subjects, including psychology and philosophy,
in the field of humanities at a university. Therefore, I entered the Department
of Education under the Faculty of Humanities, at Sophia University
(the Department of Education was later reorganized under the Faculty of Human
Sciences). I chose to major in philosophy of education and minor in
international education, because it allowed me to simultaneously study two of
my interests. My four years at Sophia
University provided me
with valuable opportunities to speak with members of the Japan Overseas
Cooperation Volunteers, and to research and write reports on the state of
children's education in developing countries. Through these experiences, I was
able to broaden my world view.
The unique classes offered at
Sophia University, a Catholic higher
educational institution, also left an impression on me. For example, in a
lecture on ethics by a professor of the Faculty of Theology, I was exposed to
ways of viewing things from a religious perspective, and was truly inspired by
these viewpoints. Additionally, I realized that lecture contentvaried depending
on the underlying perspective of each professor, and that there are many
different viewpoints in the world. During my time studying abroad, Japanese
universities began to discuss the future of global education in Japan. I loved
the worldview expressed in French films, so I spent a month in France on a short-term
summer study abroad program during my second year. It was my first time abroad.
After that, I went on a year-long language study abroad program. I believe this
experience has contributed to who I am today. I always dreamed of becoming an
editor: I loved writing articles and, after I inherited a single-lens reflex
camera from my father, I loved taking photographs. Therefore, I wanted to get
involved in editing magazines. After looking for a job, I was lucky enough to
receive a job offer from a publisher I dreamed of. The president of the
publisher told me to "experience everything", which totally changed
my life.
In the spirit of
"experience everything", I applied for and was selected as the
Japanese representative in the Miss Universe pageant. After agonizing over the
decision, I turned down the offer from the publisher and moved on to the
international pageant. Although I entered the pageant on my own, I never
dreamed of advancing through the rounds, even at the international level. I'm
glad I faced up to the challenge in the spirit of doing my best.
A Keen Awareness of the
Importance of Visiting and ExperiencingLocal Sites
Last year, I was appointed as
the Japanese ambassador of the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP), of
which I have been an official supporter since 2007. I think I have also played
an active role in my activities as a supporter. On my own initiative, I visited
areas experiencing problems due to food shortages, talked with WFP personnel at
least once a year, and shared what I had learned. In dealing with such
problems, no amount of reading or text-based research would reveal the kind of
assistance that is necessary. As such, I became keenly aware of how important
it is to visit various locales, view matters with my own eyes, and consider the
situation based on such experiences.
Last year, when I became a
member of the Cabinet Office's Advisory Committee on Cultural Exchanges in
Asia, I toured Thailand and Indonesia. Once
again, I got a strong sense of the importance of visiting and personally
experiencing a place. People have been talking about the "Age of
Asia" for some time now, and, in rapidly developing Asian countries, the
excitement is truly palpable. Many women are distinguishing them selves in the
field of business, and the people there are overflowing with energy. Thus, I
thought, wouldn't it be great if Japanese people ventured out more and shared
in the excitement of these booming Asian countries?
In recent years, an
increasing number of universities advocate for the cultivation of
globally-minded human resources. I think there are many things students can
learn by simply stepping out of their country. People commonly say
"globalism," but there are actually different types of globalism.
Depending on one's position, matters can be viewed from a variety of
perspectives. I believe that being aware of this fact changes everything.
In Japan, we don't have many
opportunities to participate in forums or debates during our education, while
children in Western countries are very good at debating. They do not hesitate
to change their viewpoint in order to consider the other side's perspective, or
objectively analyze the other side's arguments. I believe the skills are
indispensable in our increasingly global world.
The most important thing, of
course, is what your own interests point you toward? always be aware of what
you value, and continuously challenge yourself in your areas of interest. In
doing so, you are bound to make new discoveries.
Comparatively speaking, one's
time in college represents a period in which one has more free time. I hope
college students will use this precious time to carve out their own niche by
working hard on the things they love and feel passionate about.
Outfit: Pink and black
bi-color dress (Vivienne Tam), gold star-shaped earrings (chigo)
Kurara Chibana
Model, Japanese Ambassador
for the United Nations World Food Programme
Born March 27, 1982. From Naha, Okinawa. Exclusive
cover model for Shogakukan's Domani magazine, appears in many programs and
commercials, including the regular programs Global Vision (BS12) and Chibana
Kurara no Precious Life (Kurara Chibana's Precious Life) (JFN). She has also
served as an official supporter of the United Nations World Food Programme from
2007 onward and was appointed as the Japanese Ambassador for the World Food
Programme in 2013. She actively visits local sites in places like Africa and
Southeast Asia and conveys the messages of people at these sites to people in Japan.