Agile Entrepreneurship Development
Program through International Collaborative Learning国際協働学習を通じて醸成するアジャイル・アントレプレナーシップ

INTERVIEW: Matthew Harvey(University of Sheffield)




Q1. What are the benefits of studying abroad through the AGILE program?

Well, first of all, if I had to be honest, the free flights are definitely a strong selling point initially, but free flights isn’t exactly a good reason to just hop into a whole program that makes you do various things.

But it also, when I sat down and thought about it, it gave me an opportunity to interact with people from different places and even break that sort of barrier between foreigners and Japanese people because it’ll give you an opportunity to meet them.

Q2. Any advice for those considering studying abroad through the AGILE program?

Well, I would start by saying once you’ve noticed the free flights, find a number of reasons to keep on going for it because you’re gonna do things somewhere out of your comfort zone and you’re going to be put into situations, maybe in your home university that you wouldn’t be used to.

And of course, you’re in a whole new place.
So try and find hobbies or multiple reasons to take the AGILE Program.

I’d recommend more.
Let’s just get to know people in the AGILE program and just be willing to accept any opportunities that come your way.

Q3. Any other experiences through the AGILE program you’d like to share freely?

So far we have done a couple of things related to the AGILE program, recently I’ve just started a course that you would be employed to take being a member of the Agile Program.

But one thing that definitely stood out and was a good opportunity to me was the Festival.

In the festival we were able to work part of a stall selling Karaage.

It was a great experience because it gave you the traditional Japanese feel of being a part of the university, culture and things like that.

Q4. What do you want to do and hope to achieve through the AGILE program during your study abroad?

Well, limiting myself to one or two things would be a bit close-minded, but I just hope that I won’t look back at it like I didn’t regret doing not doing something.

I want to take on the opportunities.

When I first did the introductory dinner I said I probably would not have done this at my home university this sort of course.
But here I’m more willing to accept different ideas and put myself in uncomfortable situations.