What Yuzzy Learned as a Visiting Scholar

Yuzzy Itaba, hailing from Japan, towards his home country’s education system which placed heavy emphasis on memorization. This concern led him on a unique journey to explore the realm of international education that landed him at Minerva University.

“I did not actually know about the Visiting Scholars Year (VSY) program when I first applied to Minerva. However, after my initial application to Minerva was rejected, a staff member reached out to me about VSY. I had a call with her where I was introduced in detail to the program and found it fascinating!”

He did not have a traditional educational path, starting from his disdain for the conventional Japanese school system since his junior high school years, which led him to complete his high school education in the UK. Yuzzy was driven by his passion for highlighting the diverse educational options that exist beyond Japan's borders. He sought to share his insights with the Japanese audience through various social media platforms.

Becoming a Visiting Scholar offered Yuzzy the opportunity to experience the Minerva model firsthand. Although not a part of the Class of 2025 cohort, he had the opportunity to attend the same classes. This enabled him to make an informed decision about whether Minerva’s unique approach to education was the right fit for him.

Yuzzy enjoyed the engaging classroom experience at Minerva, where memorization took a back seat, and active discussion and critical thinking took the lead. “What I loved most about Minerva was the unique way of learning, which involved no memorization, discussion-based classes, and critical thinking.” Yuzzy notes. This learning environment was a refreshing change for him and played a significant role in his decision to transition from a VSY student to a full-time student at Minerva.

However, it wasn't just the academics that persuaded Yuzzy to continue his journey with Minerva. The welcoming atmosphere and the diverse community of “incredibly intelligent, kind, welcoming, and open-minded” individuals left an impact on him.

Reflecting on his journey as a Visiting Scholar, Yuzzy urges prospective students to take the leap. His advice is simple: "You'll never gain anything if you don't take the challenge." His journey is a testament to his advice, demonstrating that sometimes, the unconventional path leads to the most rewarding destination.

As Yuzzy continues his educational journey at Minerva, he is committed to fostering a global perspective and sense of agency among his peers, encouraging them to chart their unique educational paths.

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Learn more about the Visiting Scholars Year at Minerva University.