2025/10/18 01:40:00 Professor Eiko Iwata
教員活動紹介
広報隊 リー
Hello everyone, I’m Huynh Thi Ly, a senior in the Department of Global Tourism Studies. This year, I’ve been introducing the new professors who joined our faculty. This time, I had the pleasure of interviewing Professor Eiko Iwata, who also happens to be my seminar advisor!
1. Hometown
Professor Iwata is from Takamatsu City in Kagawa Prefecture—a beautiful coastal city facing the Seto Inland Sea, where calm waters are dotted with islands both large and small. The city is internationally known for the Setouchi Triennale, an acclaimed art festival that has become a model for attracting inbound tourism and revitalizing local communities through culture. Incidentally, one of my seminar classmates is writing their graduation thesis on this very region.
2. Hobbies
Her hobby is “visiting new places and learning new things.”
Even when she travels, she doesn’t just go sightseeing—she seeks experiences that are unique to each place. For example, she studied English teaching methodology in New Zealand, earned a yoga instructor certification in Indonesia, and most recently, this summer, she attended a film festival in Los Angeles, where she tried her hand at interpreting while also enjoying a professional baseball game.
3. Student Life
Professor Iwata loved traveling even as a student. She worked part-time to save money for long vacations, which she spent studying abroad in the UK and the US, or traveling solo in Canada.
For her graduation trip, she took on the challenge of trekking in Nepal, aiming to reach Everest Base Camp. Looking back, she said, "Those free-spirited, exciting journeys I could only take as a student are my best memories.”
4. Why She Studied English
Although she originally majored in food chemistry at university, her short-term study abroad experience in the UK became a turning point. Not being able to express herself in English as she wished left her frustrated, but she was also deeply impressed by the open atmosphere overseas, where people’s individuality and ideas were respected. That experience inspired her to pursue English more seriously, driven by the desire to work in a global environment.
5. Field of Expertise
Her current research theme is “Developing Human Resources in International Tourism.” While many people associate tourism with hotels and airlines, Professor Iwata also focuses on the MICE field—international meetings,
conferences, and events.
In her seminar, we have opportunities to visit convention centers and hotels to gain insights beyond everyday tourism. I joined one of these visits last year, and it made me realize that tourism studies extend beyond travel and hospitality to include business and international communication. It truly broadened my vision for the future.
6. A Message to Students
One phrase that Professor Iwata treasures comes from a drama:
“Keep on learning English. I’m sure it will take you somewhere you never imagined.” She herself never imagined, back in her student days, that she would one day be teaching English at a university. But the habit of practicing 20 minutes of radio English every day for six years opened the door to a job at a foreign-affiliated company, international business trips, and many valuable experiences.
Her advice to students is:
“Even if it’s something small, try to continue it steadily. You never know what kind of opportunities it might lead to.” Through this interview, I was inspired by both the richness of Professor Iwata’s experiences and her warm dedication to students. She’s cheerful and approachable, so if you ever have the chance, I highly encourage you to talk with her. Thank you very much, Professor Iwata!
1. Hometown
Professor Iwata is from Takamatsu City in Kagawa Prefecture—a beautiful coastal city facing the Seto Inland Sea, where calm waters are dotted with islands both large and small. The city is internationally known for the Setouchi Triennale, an acclaimed art festival that has become a model for attracting inbound tourism and revitalizing local communities through culture. Incidentally, one of my seminar classmates is writing their graduation thesis on this very region.
2. Hobbies
Her hobby is “visiting new places and learning new things.”
Even when she travels, she doesn’t just go sightseeing—she seeks experiences that are unique to each place. For example, she studied English teaching methodology in New Zealand, earned a yoga instructor certification in Indonesia, and most recently, this summer, she attended a film festival in Los Angeles, where she tried her hand at interpreting while also enjoying a professional baseball game.
3. Student Life
Professor Iwata loved traveling even as a student. She worked part-time to save money for long vacations, which she spent studying abroad in the UK and the US, or traveling solo in Canada.
For her graduation trip, she took on the challenge of trekking in Nepal, aiming to reach Everest Base Camp. Looking back, she said, "Those free-spirited, exciting journeys I could only take as a student are my best memories.”
4. Why She Studied English
Although she originally majored in food chemistry at university, her short-term study abroad experience in the UK became a turning point. Not being able to express herself in English as she wished left her frustrated, but she was also deeply impressed by the open atmosphere overseas, where people’s individuality and ideas were respected. That experience inspired her to pursue English more seriously, driven by the desire to work in a global environment.
5. Field of Expertise
Her current research theme is “Developing Human Resources in International Tourism.” While many people associate tourism with hotels and airlines, Professor Iwata also focuses on the MICE field—international meetings,
conferences, and events.
In her seminar, we have opportunities to visit convention centers and hotels to gain insights beyond everyday tourism. I joined one of these visits last year, and it made me realize that tourism studies extend beyond travel and hospitality to include business and international communication. It truly broadened my vision for the future.
6. A Message to Students
One phrase that Professor Iwata treasures comes from a drama:
“Keep on learning English. I’m sure it will take you somewhere you never imagined.” She herself never imagined, back in her student days, that she would one day be teaching English at a university. But the habit of practicing 20 minutes of radio English every day for six years opened the door to a job at a foreign-affiliated company, international business trips, and many valuable experiences.
Her advice to students is:
“Even if it’s something small, try to continue it steadily. You never know what kind of opportunities it might lead to.” Through this interview, I was inspired by both the richness of Professor Iwata’s experiences and her warm dedication to students. She’s cheerful and approachable, so if you ever have the chance, I highly encourage you to talk with her. Thank you very much, Professor Iwata!
