New students of Fall 2026 were welcomed at the Yamanashi Gakuin University Entrance Ceremony held on September 1st in the Memorial Hall.
President Takako Aoyama formally admitted the new students to the university, officially starting their new lives as students of Yamanashi Gakuin University. Following that, the President gave a welcome address in Japanese, English, and Chinese.
The President shared her experience of visiting an exhibition of the work of Catalan architect Antoni Gaudi, held this year to commemorate the 100th anniversary of his death. She spoke about being deeply moved by the principles that guided his work, particularly his belief in the importance of the creative process. Gaudí developed his distinctive style through careful observation of nature and the world around him, continually exploring new ideas rather than rushing to reach a final result.
His constant pursuit of something better, President Aoyama explained, offers an inspiring perspective for students as they begin their own journeys of learning and discovery at university. Instead of opting for immediate answers, she reminded them that individual thinking and making mistakes are all important for growth. She encouraged them to think about university as a place to discover new ways of seeing the world. There are many opportunities for practical learning, international experiences, and connections with the local community both inside and outside of the classroom, and she hopes that they will grasp these opportunities. The President encouraged new students to appreciate the journey and not rush to be “complete”.
A 3rd-year Student Representative delivered a warm welcome speech on behalf of the iCLA student body. In her speech, she encouraged students to embrace the beginner’s mind: Shoshin.
“This is the perfect mindset to have as you begin your university life here. Look around this room: every single one of you, regardless of where you’re from, starts today at the exact same place,” she says.
In her speech, she reflected on her first days in Yamanashi, boarding the train in the wrong direction and feeling defeated when she thought her experiences living in Tokyo would prepare her for life in Yamanashi. Embracing her beginner’s mindset, she had a realization that it was okay to reach out to a friend for help. She encouraged new students to embrace new challenges with the shoshin mindset.
“Today, I leave you with one piece of advice: embrace the unknown. Approach your new experiences with curiosity, patience, and an open mind. Remember shoshin: you don’t have to be an expert on your first day. You just have to be willing to begin,” she said warmly.