Learning about diverse ways of life and experiencing the connection between 'jobs' and 'people' | Manabiba Student Staff Interview

What is Manabiba to Fumika?

--Fumika, thank you for joining us! First of all, what kind of place is Manabiba to you?

For me, it's a place where I can be unpolished and real.

--Unpolished... What do you mean by that?

At Manabiba, I think everyone can show their true selves and the parts of themselves that aren't so cool. And everyone is working hard, and no one laughs at that. I think that's a really good thing.
That's why I can also be unpolished toward every direction (myself, students, other students, working professionals) here.

--That's true. Everyone works hard, and there's an atmosphere where you can naturally show that side of yourself!

Why Manabiba?

--Why did you decide to join Manabiba, Fumika?

I always thought there should be more opportunities to meet people who are neither parents nor teachers.
When I was a high school student, I had quite a few opportunities to talk to such people, and it was interesting to learn about various forms of 'life and ways of living' outside of parents and teachers.

--I see, for example?

For example, a designer! (laughs)
I knew the name of the profession, but I couldn't imagine at all 'how people in that job get paid and how they live' (laughs). But after actually meeting and talking to them, I felt like 'jobs' and 'people' were connected. That experience was really interesting.
So, I felt that having an environment like that is a good thing.

--I see, it comes from your actual experience in high school.

What was an impressive experience at Manabiba?

--Among those experiences, is there anything that left an impression on you at Manabiba?

Yes. It was when a high school student thought that Hokkaido University and some private university in Hokkaido were the same thing. This was a huge shock to me.

--A shock?

Yes, I grew up in Sapporo, so I thought the difference between those universities was obvious...
Setting aside whether it's good or bad, I felt like I witnessed 'gaps' (gaps in information, awareness, and culture) firsthand.

--I see, so you witnessed that fact firsthand.

What did you gain at Manabiba?

—So, how did you feel after that, Fumika?

Well... I feel like I gained a 'question' about how I should perceive that gap myself, and I brought that back into my daily life. It feels a bit crude to call it a disparity, so right now, I'm just thinking about it without labeling it as positive or negative.I gained a 'question' and brought it back to my daily lifeI feel like I gained a 'question' about how I should perceive that gap myself, and I brought that back into my daily life. It feels a bit crude to call it a disparity, so right now, I'm just thinking about it without labeling it as positive or negative.

How is your experience at Manabiba being applied to your life?

—Then, having gained that 'question,' how is your experience at Manabiba being applied to your life?

I realized once again that the background of the person in front of me is different from my ownThis is something very obvious, but I realized once again that the background of the person in front of me is different from my own.

—I see, for example?

Well, for example,even if we speak the same language, everyone has different ways of thinking and perceiving thingsI want to communicate while being conscious that such differences are a natural part of everyday life. If I do that, I think we can be kinder to each other! (laughs)

—That's true. Bringing a 'question' back into daily life might be one of the characteristics of Manabiba.

Who would you recommend this to?

—Finally, who would you recommend Manabiba to?

I can't say clearly 'this kind of person!', but I think anyone who feels 'I want to go!' should definitely participate. It might be obvious, though (laughs).

—That's right, if you're interested, please apply! (laughs) Thank you, Fumika!