After six years, I am coming home! I will be returning to Ritumeikan Asia Pacific University as an Assistant Professor in the new College of Sustainability and Tourism, starting this October.

Ten years ago, I arrived at APU as an international student with many hopes and dreams. It was here that I nurtured my childhood passion for environmental education and began the academic journey that eventually led me to pursue a PhD.

Today, I have the privilege of returning, not as a student, but as a faculty member. It indeed feels like coming home.

I am deeply grateful to everyone who has supported me along the way, especially my supervisor, mentors, family, and friends. Thank you for your encouragement and support throughout this journey. In today’s highly competitive academic job market, I feel extremely fortunate to have reached this milestone.

As I begin this new chapter, I look forward to learning alongside my future students from diverse cultural backgrounds, collaborating with experienced colleagues, and contributing to research and education on climate change education and broader sustainability issues.

Thank you, APU, for welcoming me home. I am excited to contribute to nurturing the next generation of global sustainability leaders!