Hana Oba, from Japan, traveled to Taiwan during senior high school to participate in an equestrian competition, during which she made a friend from Taiwan. This experience left her with a very positive impression of Taiwan. When Oba was considering her options after she graduated from senior high, this friend of hers suggested that she come to Taiwan and study at the University of Taipei (UT). She chose to enroll in the Department of Physical Education at UT, specializing in equestrian sports. Here, she had the opportunity to experience and learn about a variety of different sports. Although she had prior experience with many sports, she did not always correctly understand the rules. But now, by learning the proper rules and knowledge in her courses, she was able to enjoy these sports more thoroughly, thus giving her the opportunity to try new experiences during her academic journey. These included her first attempts at sports such as golf, tennis, and billiards, which have all proven to be valuable learning experiences.

When she first arrived in Taiwan, Oba had virtually no understanding of the Chinese language, and could only say "hello" and "thank you" in Chinese. However, during her time at the Department of Physical Education, she received substantial support from her instructors, classmates, and the staff at the Office of International Affairs. They not only helped her enroll in beginner-level Chinese language courses, where she could start learning Chinese from scratch, but also provided careful assistance with various matters such as tuition fee payments, administrative procedures, and graduation procedures, until she fully understood the related issues and could resolve them. This support made Oba feel warm and grateful during her studies at the Department of Physical Education. As a specialized student, she occasionally needed to take time off for equestrian competitions, and during the official leave, she received assistance from her classmates and teachers. For example, on days when she couldn't attend classes, they helped her by telling her about the course content she’d missed. This meant that she could continue to make academic progress smoothly.

Oba has graduated this year, and she has already found a job in an equestrian facility in Taiwan, where she can work as a horse riding coach while speaking fluent Chinese. She mentioned, "During my time at the university, I not only improved my Chinese language skills but also acquired knowledge in sports and communication techniques. The knowledge I have gained is applicable to my current job, which reaffirms the fact that what I learned at university is very practical in the real world. At UT's Department of Physical Education, students can focus on their sports specialty while also learning about other sports fields. When I worked out together with my classmates, because we were exercising and sweating together, we were able to strengthen our connections with each other. I found many other courses to be very practical as well, such as first aid for injuries and knowledge of sports marketing. In addition to the Department of Physical Education, UT has many other departments as well, and I encourage everyone to study there in a field that suits them!"

Oba’s achievements are impressive. She has successfully overcome a wide range of challenges, learned Chinese, completed her specialized courses in the Department of Physical Education, and found a job in Taiwan, where she can apply her skills and knowledge. It is expected that her courage will bring continuous progress in her future work and life endeavors.