GRADUATION TALK ▼

SIMPLY KEEP GROWING AS A PERSON

AN INTERVIEW WITH AI MIYAMOTO

▐  In a short interview, Ai talks about the role of motivation in education, the important lesson she learned during her dissertation and the decision to work in Germany.

   Why do you think motivation plays an essential role in education?

   A.M. Motivation plays an essential role in education because it is a “drive” for us to learn and improve our knowledge/skills. Motivation also helps us “fight” against difficulties and challenges we face with our process of learning. I think that motivation is such a powerful tool we can use in order to keep achieving and…simply keep growing as a person!

   What was an important lesson you learned in the process of your research and writing your dissertation?

    A.M. The most important lesson I have learned completing my dissertation is “to stay strong, patient, and optimistic about future”. Doing a PhD is not just about researching, writing, and submitting. It is about “understanding, communicating, and publishing”. It’s tough…but it’s so worth it!

    Since you considered working in many different countries worldwide, what made you decide on Germany in the end?

   A.M.  I have studied/worked/lived in Japan, Canada and Germany. For me, “where” or in which country I work does not matter that much, but “who” I work with and “what” I do with them matter VERY much. It is not the place I live in, but it’s the people I meet and the things I do which make my life “boring and frustrating” OR “interesting and inspiring”. The position I got at GESIS in Mannheim provided me with both, the people I love working with, and the topic I am fascinated about. That is the reason I decided to stay in Germany, at least for now…!

Image Credits: © Bamberg Graduate School of Social Sciences