「早稲田大学国際教養学部のすべて」英語力だけでは受からない本当の理由

Summary

The video discusses Waseda University’s School of International Liberal Studies (SILS), focusing on admissions and student life. Its central message is that strong English skills or overseas experience alone do not guarantee admission. Applicants should explain what they want to do, how their experiences shaped their interests, and why SILS is a suitable place to pursue them.

Admissions: More Than English Ability

• Yoshi, who had an IELTS score of 8.5 at the time of the discussion, did not pass the AO admissions process. He later entered SILS through the general entrance-exam route.
• Looking back, he thought the test format had changed and that his application or background may not have stood out as much as those of other applicants. His activities included karate, sports photography, and mushroom research, but he felt they did not clearly connect to what he wanted to study or do.
• Deguchi, who grew up in rural Wakayama and had never been abroad before entering SILS, passed despite believing he could not compete with applicants on English ability alone.
• Deguchi focused on making his written application substantive and clearly communicating his experiences and ambitions. These included playing on a soccer team that reached the prefectural top eight and participating in the High School Diplomats international-exchange program.
• The speakers suggest that a clear connection between past experience, future goals, and the opportunities offered by SILS can help evaluators understand an application.

How to Think About Overseas Experience

Having lived abroad is not, by itself, a compelling reason to apply. Applicants should explain what they learned from the experience and what they intend to do with it.

English is useful, but SILS is also interested in applicants’ plans and intellectual interests. The speakers estimate that around 30–40% of SILS students have never been abroad, and encourage applicants not to assume they are unqualified because they have not traveled internationally.

Studying at SILS

SILS offers considerable flexibility in choosing classes. Students take a relatively small number of required courses, including subjects such as academic writing, statistics, and language study, while many other courses are electives. They may also be able to take classes from other Waseda faculties.

This flexibility can make the program busy, though workloads vary depending on students’ choices and effort. The speakers recommend exploring different fields before settling on a specialization; students can develop a deeper focus later, including through seminars.

Study Abroad

The interviewees describe study-abroad placements as competitive, with options shaped by academic performance and available destinations. They emphasize that grades—especially performance early in the first year—can matter, so it is important to establish good study habits from the start.

• Yoshi studied in Spain and took classes in Spanish after intensive language study at Waseda. He found the experience challenging but valuable.
• Deguchi studied at Lund University in Sweden, exploring urban planning and topics such as sustainability, digital transformation, diversity, and well-being. He valued both his academic studies and the chance to experience the local environment firsthand.

Advice for Prospective Applicants

• Develop a genuine interest in society and its problems. Use that interest to identify questions you may want to explore.
• Make the most of the circumstances available to you. The speakers argue that AO admissions are not simply about the scale or prestige of achievements; what matters is what you did with the opportunities you had.
• Avoid comparing your background with people who had greater access to international experiences. Look for activities, programs, and information available locally or online.
• Explain how your experiences connect to your goals. Your plans do not need to be fully settled in high school, but you should show curiosity, initiative, and a reason for wanting to learn.
• Keep exploring. SILS’s broad curriculum and flexibility are best used by students who remain open to new fields and actively seek opportunities to learn.

Speakers Featured

• Tatsuro Ota — Host; his affiliation is unclear in the auto-generated subtitles.
• Yoshi — SILS student or alumnus and company intern or instructor; the subtitles give only his first name or nickname.
• Deguchi — SILS student or alumnus and company intern or instructor; the subtitles give only his surname.