We Need Diversity [IGS Professor Carolin Funk]

Q1. Introduction

I first came to Japan more than 30 years ago using a partnership between Germany and Japan. The main reason why I am interested in Japan was Aikido.  I got interested in Aikido first for self-defense, but now I have another impression of Aikido. We usually practice with many different partners, so it is always different, and we do not feel bored. 20 years ago, after I took the Ph.D., I came to  Hiroshima university teaching geography and tourism especially.

Q2. What is your study field?

Here in IGS, there are three big fields, peace and communication, culture and tourism, and environment and society. And I’m in the culture and tourism field, especially the tourism section. Since my background is geography, I’m interested in some places where  tourism happens.

Q3. In the current COVID-19 situation, what do you think about the importance of tourism?

I think people want some change. There is some discussion recently about why young Japanese people do not travel abroad anymore, but I still think that people need some change in their life. So, tourism maybe this one part of the change.

Q4. Do you agree with people’s travel under the situation of the pandemic?

I think it really depends on how you travel. One problem in Japan is people travel only during a public holiday, and sites will be crowded. It’s dangerous. People who travel have to think about what they are doing.

Q5. What do you want IGS students acquire until graduating?

     ① To be flexible

     ② To be active and challenge

     ③ To communicate with many different people

This year is a very special year and we need to adjust to this situation, thus flexibility is very important. In addition, we should be active against many things and not only keep contact with well-known person but also meet new and different people we have never met, which makes us cheerful and encouraged.

Q6. What kind of students do you want to have in IGS?

One thing we try to encourage is being interdisciplinary and having interests in all the other subjects. English is one of the common necessary tools, it’s not the goal. And the student should learn subjects widely.

Q7. Comments for future IGS students

I recommend you (the future IGS students) to learn about what students are researching, learning in the IGS. You have the opportunity to collect information about the IGS by using open campus online. I hope to get more students from around the world, I want students from different fields and students from different places to join us in the future. “We need diversity”.