I think it is quite unusual to come abroad to study acting. Honestly, learning acting in a second language can be quite challenging. But my love for acting is so strong that, even when things are difficult, it makes me want to try even harder.
Acting has always been something very special to me. Ever since I was little, I’ve loved fiction – whether it was books, movies, or anything that offered an escape from my everyday life. Those stories made my heart race and gave me a way to fuel my imagination. For a long time, I was just someone who loved watching stories from the outside. But that changed when I was in middle school. We had to perform a Shakespeare play as part of a class project – Much Ado About Nothing. It was a comedy, and when I saw people laughing at my acting, I felt a huge sense of happiness and achievement.
I found all those actors I loved watching weren’t living the stories – they were performing them. And yet, those performances could make people cry, laugh and feel so deeply. Something that isn’t even real can have a huge impact on people’s lives. I thought, if I could be a part of that someday, and even make it my career, that would be a dream come true.
That’s when my dream of becoming an actor really started, and a big part of my creative journey comes from my theatre experience. I became interested in acting in middle school and continued to major in drama classes and participate in the drama club in high school. Although it was small, we put on several plays. Just one person doesn’t make theatre – it’s the result of a group. Directors, technical crews, actors, along with so many others – everyone plays a part. Unlike some other kinds of art, where one person does everything alone, acting and filmmaking are all about teamwork.
Watching that process up-close taught me something: I love creating things together with other people. It’s not about doing everything by myself – it’s about working together and building something even bigger and better. The more people involved, the more exciting the ideas come out. Connecting with others is probably the heart of my creativity.
And that’s one of the biggest reasons I chose AUB.
In my home country, Japan, acting and theatre aren't seen as very important. It’s even harder to meet people who are as passionate about it as I am. But at AUB, there are so many students who are passionate about acting, film, and all kinds of arts. It’s the perfect place to throw yourself into what you love.
One of my favourite memories is a collaboration we did with the film students at the end of the first year. We worked together to make a short film, following the same steps as professional filmmakers – from rehearsals all the way to post-production. At AUB, you don’t just learn acting – you get real, hands-on experience. The experience of collaborating not only within the theatre course, but also with other courses to create something together, is very meaningful. Through this process, I believe that students will acquire the ability to think for themselves and adapt to various environments, not only as students but also as true actors.
It’s a wonderful experience that you can't get from just sitting in a classroom and listening to a teacher. Plus, you get to explore all kinds of styles: Shakespeare, modern theatre, screen acting, even puppetry. And we also study academic acting theorists like Stanislavski. Since starting here, my love for acting has only gotten stronger, and I can really feel myself growing.
One of the toughest but most rewarding things was studying Shakespeare. For someone like me, who didn’t grow up speaking English, it was a huge challenge. But Shakespeare’s words and stories are so full of life and energy – they really force you to open up your heart and show what’s inside. It was perfect for learning how to be truly real and present in my acting. And because it was so tough, the sense of achievement afterwards was even bigger.
Right now, I’m also working on a student film project outside of class. The director saw my acting in another film and asked me to be a part of it. That’s the kind of thing that happens at AUB – people notice your work and invite you to new opportunities. There are so many chances to collaborate outside of class, too. I’ve also taken part in film workshops, acting masterclasses and even worked as an extra in real movies. It’s amazing to be able to take what I’ve learned and test it in the real world, and it’s AUB that gives you the courage to step outside your comfort zone.
Like I said at the beginning, my dream is to become an actor. I’ll probably go back to my home country to start looking for acting work. Being able to speak English will be a huge advantage, and I hope acting will get more recognition in Japan, too. My biggest dream is to work internationally someday as a Japanese actor.
And finally, to anyone out there thinking about studying abroad: AUB is such a wonderful place for international students. Of course, moving to a new country is never easy – it wasn’t for me either. But the community here is so warm and welcoming. You don’t have to force yourself to change to fit in. The teachers and students are all kind, and I believe AUB can become a second home for you. It’s not a narrow or rigid place. Here, you’ll find an open, wide space where you can spread your arms and walk forward, just as you are.
If you ever doubt about whether you can be good at acting in a second language, I want to share something my tutor once told me: “It’s not about the product – it’s all about the process.”
