This time, our guest was a university professor. The day before, the guest joined the children for school lunch.
“Let’s enjoy our delicious school lunch!” Today’s menu was croquettes and stew, and the croquettes were even made into hamburgers.
Our guest is both a researcher who studies at a university as a profession and a graduate student currently studying at a university in Tokyo. Originally from Okuma Town, the guest attended Ohno Elementary School and Okuma Junior High School and continues to hold a deep love for their hometown. They experienced the disaster in their first year of junior high school, spent their second and third years in Aizuwakamatsu, and then attended high school for three years in Koriyama City.
“My major is architecture. In architecture, we study how to design buildings that are strong against earthquakes, fires, and tsunamis. In particular, I focus on creating ‘people-friendly housing.’ When I was forced to leave Okuma Town after the disaster and live elsewhere, I felt lonely because there were fewer opportunities to talk with people in the community. That loneliness is connected to the social issue of ‘isolation.’”
The guest has loved building houses since childhood and decided to study architecture when entering university.
“I chose this path of study by connecting the feeling of ‘loneliness’ I experienced after the disaster to my learning.”
While studying architecture, they also learned about law and history. Within this broad field of study, the guest shared their desire to conduct research that connects “loneliness” to contributing to society. They explained that they study Okuma Town and the Hamadori region together with university students.
“I worked hard not only on my studies but also challenged myself in many new ways. What is something important that you want to value in your life? I believe researchers continue learning for the sake of people and things they care about. What does ‘kind’ or ‘gentle’ design really mean? There is no single answer, but because I received so much support from many adults, I want to give back to society, which is why I continue this work.”
Continuing to think about questions that have no clear answers is the same as the inquiry-based learning students engage in through Future Design activities. This was a valuable time for students to learn that what they are currently exploring is connected to meaningful learning. Thank you very much.
