Message from Graduates

OVERVIEW

Inspiring messages from alumni who actively pursued a variety of opportunities
during university, including studying abroad, then put these experiences to use in specialized areas
such as bioscience research, global health and the medical industry.
There are many messages from those who are working hard with the aim of becoming global leaders.

The Road Not Taken

Emily Suzuki

School of Medicine, 2018
HSLP, a Foundation for Challenges

Marie Kitano

School of Medicine, 2018
HSLP Gives Us Vision, Friends, and Opportunities for a New Future Pioneered from a Care Perspective

Kanako Hisa

School of Medicine, 2017

A Launchpad to the Global Health

The HSLP was a truly formative course that had a significant impact on my career path. At first, I enrolled with the hope of improving my English skills. However, I soon realized that the program’s main focus was on engaging in discussions with peers about a wide range of global health issues— and the improvement in my English was a valuable byproduct. What made the experience even more special was the environment: a community of students striving to make a difference on the global stage, supported wholeheartedly by dedicated faculty members. Before I had the opportunity to work at the WHO, I faced many challenges. Each time, I was encouraged and uplifted by the support of my professors and fellow HSLP members. HSLP fosters a culture that encourages a spirit of challenge and growth without fear of failure. I am confident that it will continue to be the starting point for many students as they take flight toward the world.

Emily Suzuki

School of Medicine, 2018

After graduating from the Faculty of Law at the University of Tokyo, Emily Suzuki worked at the Legislative Bureau of the House of Representatives before being admitted as a transfer student to a medical program in 2014. Through the HSLP, she developed a strong interest in global health and aspired to work for an international organization. During her medical studies, she gained practical experience in global health by interning and later serving as a consultant at a WHO Regional Office. These experiences deepened her understanding on the critical role of law that plays in public health. Following initial clinical training, she specialized in psychiatry and was admitted to the bar in Japan in 2022. After serving at the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare of Japan, she joined the WHO headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland, in January 2025 as a Technical Officer, In this role, she is currently engaged in the global program to eliminate cervical cancer.

The programs I participated in:

HSLP, a Foundation for Challenges

As I deepened my understanding of international medicine and social issues through the HSLP curriculum, I naturally came to have a perspective on how to relate to the international community as a medical professional. However, what I felt even more strongly about the HSLP was that it is a place for growth based on challenge. “Comfort is the enemy of progress” - I realized the meaning of this phrase through my experience at HSLP. The culture at HSLP is one that respects taking on challenges without fear of failure, and an environment where you can improve yourself with colleagues who have a variety of values and visions. I feel that this has led to my significant growth. Today, the careers of medical professionals are not limited to clinical practice and research, but also include business, policy, education, and creative writing. And the field of activity is not limited to Japan, but continues to expand around the world. In a time when the ability to respond flexibly to such changes is required, I feel that the HSLP is the right program for the right time to build a foundation as a medical professional. In this day and age, where a balance between expertise and diversity is required, the value of the HSLP should continue to grow. I truly believe that the HSLP is the reason I am where I am today. I believe that the HSLP will open the door to new possibilities for those of you who are considering a career in medicine or dentistry.

Marie Kitano

School of Medicine, 2018

She is a 1st year student of HSLP. After graduating from the University of Tokyo in 2019, he will go to Australia in 2022 after completing his initial clinical training. He is currently working as a psychiatry registrar at Monash Medical Centre in Australia, and is also involved in hospital administration, education for foreign doctors, and support for Japanese doctors and medical students studying in Oceania.

The programs I participated in:

HSLP Gives Us Vision, Friends, and Opportunities for a New Future Pioneered from a Care Perspective

I want to be someone, but I don't know exactly what that someone is yet.” If you are still struggling with this, I encourage you to knock on HSLP's door. When I entered Tokyo Medical and Dental University (TMDU), I had a vague idea that I wanted to work in obstetrics and gynecology someday and be involved in women's care heatlh. Twelve years have passed since then, and those thoughts have continued to change in form and form, and after graduate school research, experience in the field as a midwife, and experience at a femtech venture company, I am now in a BtoBtoE business position at M3. My experience at HSLP has certainly been a part of this journey. It was not easy to balance the HSLP activities with my studies and practical training, and there were moments when I felt alone among the small number of participants as a nursing student. However, what I have gained after overcoming these difficulties has been invaluable to me. Logical thinking and critical thinking are now indispensable in the field of business. Being exposed to these ideas when I was a student was a great asset. Also, as someone who grew up with a Japanese education, the experience of thinking, discussing, and putting my opinions into words in English on a wide variety of topics was something I could only have gained at HSLP. Above all, I was very happy to have friends with whom I could discuss and share even the vaguest of dreams. HSLP is a place where you can acquire the skills to become someone else. What is important is to have the flexibility and honesty to improve yourself. Your experience at HSLP will make your career and life as a medical professional more free and flexible. Take the first step to shape your future at HSLP.

Kanako Hisa

School of Medicine, 2017

Graduated from TMDU, Department of Nursing in 2017, and completed her graduate studies in Maternal Nursing and Midwifery, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo in 2019. She worked as a midwife at Musashino Red Cross Hospital for 3 years. After working part-time at a femtec company, she moved to M3 Inc. in 2023 as a business position associate for pharmaceutical companies and is currently engaged in customer success as a business producer for corporate benefit services.

The programs I participated in: