2025 Spring -  Naim

Exchange student from University Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne

Participating in the exchange program at IPP was a natural choice for me as a Master's student in economics, particularly because of IPP’s strong focus on both quantitative economics and public policy. I was eager to experience a new academic environment and to gain insights into economic and political issues from a Japanese and East Asian perspective—an area I was previously less familiar with.

My time at IPP has broadened my understanding of policy analysis in an international context. Most of the courses I took were part of the APPP curriculum. I found them to be of very high quality—engaging, diverse, and well-structured. One course that particularly stood out to me was “Japan's Foreign Policy Making II.” It was unique in its format, as it regularly invited guest speakers from the world of diplomacy and policymaking, which made each session dynamic and insightful.

One of the main differences I noticed between my studies in France and those at IPP was the teaching approach. Many classes here were structured like seminars, with a strong focus on discussion and interaction, which I found intellectually stimulating.

Student life at Hitotsubashi University has been outstanding. The campus facilities are excellent, but what impressed me the most was the incredible support provided by the administrative staff, who were always willing to help with any issue. Living at Ikkyo-Ryo was also a great experience—comfortable, well-located, and well-equipped.

This exchange may influence both my academic research interests and future career decisions. It even made me consider returning to Japan in the future for academic or professional opportunities. In my view, the main strengths of IPP are the quality of instruction, the expertise of the faculty, the wide range of courses offered, and the small class sizes that encourage interaction and personalized learning.