STUDENT VOICES | APU Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University

Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University College of
Sustainability and Tourism (ST)

YOUR ST JOURNEY

Learning in ST goes beyond the classroom. It’s where nature, business, and people connect. Using real data and local voices, we explore how to build a more sustainable future and create the world we want to see.
Discover our ST students' stories here.

#01
Understand Social Connections

Tourism is more than a service—it’s a social system.
At ST, you’ll combine humanities and science to learn how to build sustainable businesses that protect local resources.

  • Tourism × Environment = Protect Value

  • Social Entrepreneurship × Information Systems = Make an Impact

  • Regional Development × Resource Management = Unlock Potential

  • Sustainable Business

A STUDENT’S VOICE

I realized tourism is just one piece of a much larger puzzle involving the environment and society.

READ MORE

#02
Study Solution-Focused Science

Sustainability isn't just about science.
By bridging science to society, you’ll master the interconnections needed to solve complex global challenges.

  • Environmental Science × Tourism = Revitalize Regions

  • Data Analysis × International Development = Inspire Action

  • Resource Management × Social Entrepreneurship = New Employment Opportunities

  • Hospitality × Data Science = Strategic Tourism

A STUDENT’S VOICE

ST taught me that science alone cannot change society.

READ MORE

#03
Tackle Real Problems First-Hand

Learning goes beyond the classroom.
In ST, you’ll tackle real-world issues across cultures to develop the resilience to lead in a changing world.

  • Fieldwork

  • Practicum

  • Internships

  • Multicultural Collaborative Learning

A STUDENT’S VOICE

ST is full of chances to connect classroom learning to the real world.

READ MORE

#04
Craft Your Own Degree

Learn with flexibility.
By combining diverse subjects, you can customize your expertise to connect directly to your future career.

  • Environment

  • Hospitality

  • IT

  • Regional Development

A STUDENT’S VOICE

This learning environment, where students with totally different interests inspire each other, is ST’s greatest strength.

READ MORE

Continue Your Journey with ST

The journey doesn’t end here.
Stay connected through the latest news, events, and student voices—and discover where your next step with ST could lead.

TAKE THE FIRST STEP INTO THE ST CLASSROOM.

Ready to see what studying here is really like?
Sign up to watch our mock lecture video and discover how to transform places into meaningful destinations.

ST MOCK LECTURE

Professor Kimo Boukamba

Watch the Video
  • ABOUT ST

    Explore the ST education philosophy and its integrated curriculum. Learn how this academic framework bridges the fields of sustainability and tourism in order to develop the skills essential for building a sustainable society.

  • CAREERS & PATHWAYS

    Explore why the world needs your expertise as an ST graduate. Hear from different organizations about why they hire professionals who can bridge sustainability and tourism to create new value for our world.

  • COMBINE YOUR STUDY INTERESTS

    Explore how combining ST's nine concentrations can expand your learning possibilities. These academic pairings empower you to tackle complex global challenges and shape a future that reflects your professional goals.

  • STUDENT VOICES

    Explore the diverse experiences of our ST students. See how their unique interests and approaches come together, each finding their own way to contribute to a sustainable future.

  • FACULTY & COURSES

    Explore the reality of deep learning through the voices of the professor and students.

  • STUDY AREA BY KEYWORD

    See how different fields connect across your undergraduate studies by a keyword.

Select Your Language

RELATED LINKS

FOLLOW US

Select Your Language
CLOSE

Please set your preferred language by selecting the relevant value from the list below.

Unlock Mock Lecture
CLOSE
Loading...

Thank you for registering!
Enjoy this 10-minute video just for you!

You will also receive an email from [email protected] to access the videos from all the undergraduate programs at APU.

A STUDENT’S VOICE
CLOSE

#01
Understand Social Connections

I initially joined ST because I wanted to be a flight attendant and was interested in hospitality. But in ST, I realized tourism is just one piece of a much larger puzzle involving the environment and society. In our practicum, we visited a GIAHS (Globally Important Agricultural Heritage System) site in nearby Kunisaki. Talking with local farmers to figure out how to revitalize the area without harming the environment opened my eyes. Moving beyond just tourism to learn about resource management has given me the confidence to analyze complex social issues from multiple angles.

A STUDENT’S VOICE
CLOSE

#02
Study Solution-Focused Science

Coming from a science background, I loved biotech, but ST taught me that science alone cannot change society. No matter how great a technology is, it won't work if you don't understand the local culture or how people think. Here, we use tools like GIS (Geographical Information Systems) alongside sociology to figure out how to actually move people to action. The intersection of 'Science + Social Science + Environment + Humans' is complex and has no single right answer. That’s exactly why we need new ideas. ST is the perfect place to become a professional who can actually implement change.

A STUDENT’S VOICE
CLOSE

#03
Tackle Real Problems First-Hand

ST is full of chances to connect classroom learning to the real world. I joined a practicum where we visited a traditional Japanese village once a month. Seeing how theory actually works in the face of real regional challenges was something I could never get from a textbook. Also, working with students from over 100 countries/regions on campus—as well as debating and finding common ground—has taught me the true challenge and joy of multicultural collaboration.

A STUDENT’S VOICE
CLOSE

#04
Craft Your Own Degree

Sustainability is now a universal language in every industry. In ST, you can dive deep into environmental science or focus more on tourism and development—the choice is yours. My roommate focused on hospitality while I focused on sustainable design. This learning environment, where students with totally different interests inspire each other, is ST’s greatest strength. By shaping your own learning, you prepare yourself for a stage that spans the globe, from international organizations to global tech firms.

PAGE TOP