Shinnnosuke Kawai works at the cosmetic company as a researcher.

I am studying and researching in the field of organic chemistry at the Graduate School of Engineering, Gifu University. While earning a living by working part-time, I look forward to going out to play and have dinner with friends and colleagues on my occasional days off. I am busy with conference presentations and my master’s thesis, but I am very satisfied with my life.

What are your memories of KEC?

The time I spent at KEC remains in my mind as a very enjoyable and happy time. I was a very shy person at that time, but I found myself laughing and talking a lot with the teachers and friends around me (perhaps too much). I felt at home there and looked forward to attending every class. The rhythmical English music was also impressive. It is also a secret memory from my childhood that I often mistook Matoma Sensei for my mother.

What does “English” mean to you?

It is, and always has been, a communication tool to connect people with each other. Even if you do not speak English as well as an interpreter, if you can handle simple English greetings and words, you can have a friendly conversation with people from overseas. Because I learned this skill a long time ago, I am still able to communicate amicably with foreign students from universities in Japan, and I realize that English is very useful. Furthermore, since papers on chemistry from around the world are written in English, I feel more familiar with it in terms of research. Thanks to English, the range of communication has expanded and I have been able to have more exchanges, values, and knowledge.

What are your dreams and goals for the future?

My goal is to work for a chemical or pharmaceutical manufacturer, making use of my current major. There, I would like to be involved in the development of products that are useful in people’s daily lives and contribute to people around the world. It would also be great if I could build a happy family with a wonderful person.

Message to everyone at KEC

If you think of it as “studying English,” it may seem stiff and boring, but please try to think of it as “playing with English” and come to our lessons. I am sure you will have a wonderful time like I had in the past. And at KEC, you will have teachers and friends who will make you feel that way. Please enjoy English conversation with all your might and have fun while experiencing English in a way that you normally can’t at school.

A word from Matoba

I wondered what kind of voice he had because he was so quiet and didn’t talk much. His mother wondered if she could continue with him. But I encouraged him, saying, “Just leave it to me, please come.” When he entered elementary school and started reading picture books, his personality changed 180 degrees. He read fluently with beautiful pronunciation and raised his hand to speak. I was very excited when I heard that he was going to graduate school, and I hope that he will contribute to society through his research in the future.