The only one in the world
Pursuing one's own unique style of hospitality

College of Business Management Third-year students
College of Business Management Department of Business Management

Hozuki Takahashi

Main content

I experienced different forms of hospitality in classes, club activities, and during my study abroad.

I have a strong interest in hospitality and have studied a wide range of topics in hotels, bridal services, and tourism. Genichi Igarashi Professor's seminar is popular even in business management departments, where you learn in a highly practical way through training camps and fieldwork. I am greatly inspired every day by my teammates who strive toward their dreams.

It's often said that "there's no single right answer in hospitality," and I've come to realize through my learning both inside and outside the university that what I can do to make the person in front of me smile increases with my own experience. I also serve as the representative of "Sakura-zu," a university-approved organization that plans and manages open campus events and assists with entrance exams. I was very happy when a high school student I assisted at a comprehensive preparation seminar said to me, "If I pass the exam and get into the university, I'll tell you first, Hozuki-san!"

My dream of studying abroad, which I'd had since high school, finally came true in my second year. In my host country, people I met for the first time treated me like family, and when I left they hugged me and said, "Let's meet again." I learned about genuine hospitality in a Southern American town where people have strong interpersonal relationships, something I could never learn at school. If you ask me, "What was the most fun thing?", I can't answer because every single memory is so vivid and precious! It was a more fulfilling four months than I could have imagined, and I believe what I gained from studying abroad is a lifelong asset.

What it's like at my study abroad destination

Having friends always by my side is my greatest strength.

Since childhood, I've enjoyed interacting with people, and I've always had a strong desire to do things for those I wanted to see smiling. I felt happy myself when I saw people's joyful smiles. I realized this was hospitality, and it led me to my current major.

My greatest strength is knowing that I always have friends by my side. I believe that alone allows me to take on various challenges. During my formative middle and high school years, I experienced happy times with friends that made me wish things could continue forever, but I also faced typical teenage worries and conflicts, such as clashes with others because of my concern for them. Thanks to those experiences, I believe I've developed the strength to put down roots wherever I feel comfortable, no matter the environment.

I chose J. F. Oberlin University because it was one of the few universities where I could study hospitality. Many of the faculty members have extensive business experience in various fields, so we thought it would be possible to learn practical content. By comprehensively learning about the hospitality industry from various perspectives—customer and management—I was able to understand what kind of suitability I am for this field.

At Obirin, where you can discover your true self, "Reach the happiness you strive for without wavering!"

My biggest goal for the future is to live abroad. I want to study languages and gain experiences that I can only have now as a university student, find a job that I feel is "the one!", and take on the challenge! I also want to see many new worlds! And I hope that in 10 or 20 years, I will be able to work on the same field as business people all over the world, as a Japanese person. I am always grateful for the people I meet, and I want to be a person who can make someone smile with my actions and words, and support the dreams of others.

J. F. Oberlin University is a place where you can encounter your own individuality. Sometimes, you may be pressured to make decisions about the future, causing pressure and anxiety. But if there is a harbor called 'happiness,' I believe you can't reach it unless you steer it yourself. No matter what anyone says, stay calm and be honest with your feelings, and stick to your thoughts. And praise yourself for working hard. After all, you only live once.

Hozuki Takahashi

Profile
College of Business Management Majored in Hospitality in the School of Business Management. She serves as the representative of 'Sakura~zu' and has also studied abroad in the United States, making use of her proactive drive to lead a fulfilling student life.

[Editor's Note]

Mr. Takahashi says he finds joy in making people happy. We expect that by leveraging the study abroad experience gained at J. F. Oberlin University focused on global education, we will become individuals who can spread their wings globally.

Interview date:
This took place in January 2023.

The only one in the worldPursuing one's own unique style of hospitality

Main content

I experienced different forms of hospitality in classes, club activities, and during my study abroad.

Having friends always by my side is my greatest strength.

At Obirin, where you can discover your true self, "Reach the happiness you strive for without wavering!"

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The only one in the world
Pursuing one's own unique style of hospitality