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

Through the HSLP curriculum, I gained valuable insights into global health and social issues, and developed a mindset oriented toward contributing to global society as a medical professional. More importantly, I believe HSLP’s true strength lies in how it cultivates growth through meaningful challenge. During my time in HSLP, I came to truly understand the meaning of the saying, 'Comfort is the enemy of progress.' The program fostered an environment where taking risks and learning from failure weren’t just accepted—they were encouraged. Surrounded by peers with diverse perspectives and bold ambitions, I was continually challenged and inspired. The open, intellectually charged atmosphere pushed me beyond my comfort zone and played a pivotal role in shaping my personal and professional identity.
Today, medicine reaches far beyond traditional clinical and research roles. Career opportunities now span borders and disciplines, including business, policy, education, and even creative fields. As the global medical landscape evolves, adaptability and leadership have become more essential than ever. In this context, HSLP is uniquely suited to the present moment, offering a solid foundation for future healthcare professionals to thrive in diverse and dynamic roles.
In an age where both specialisation and versatility are increasingly valued, the relevance and impact of HSLP will only continue to grow. My trajectory would have looked entirely different without it. For anyone considering a future in healthcare, HSLP has the potential to open doors you may not yet have imagined.

Marie Kitano

School of Medicine, 2018

Marie Kitano is a psychiatry registrar at Monash Medical Centre. She has participated in medical exchange programs in both Australia and the United States, and also represented Japan at the St. Gallen Symposium in Switzerland and the G20 Youth Summit in Argentina. After graduating in 2019, she completed her junior residency in Japan before relocating to Australia, where she currently practices. In addition to her clinical duties, Marie is actively involved in hospital administration and the education of international doctors. She is also dedicated to supporting Japanese medical professionals and students who aspire to work in the Oceania region, helping them navigate the transition
and build successful careers abroad.

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: