As I prepared for one of the most meaningful milestones of my academic journey, I dressed with both excitement and reverence. My hakama — a deep green top paired with a flowing brown skirt — felt like more than just a beautiful outfit. Accented by a delicate white hair accessory, it became a symbol of everything I had worked toward and a tribute to the culture that shaped my experience as an international student in Japan.
The tradition of hakama: a cultural milestone
Wearing a hakama on graduation day is a unique and cherished tradition in Japan, especially for female students. Interestingly, while hakama were originally worn by men in the samurai class during the Heian and Edo periods, today, the garment has become iconic for women during university graduation ceremonies. The style typically worn at graduations — a pleated skirt paired with a short-sleeved kimono — is inspired by the Meiji-era school uniforms for women, symbolizing intellect, independence, and elegance.
What’s especially fascinating is that this modern hakama tradition is rarely extended to male graduates. For men, graduation attire is usually a Western-style suit. So, for many women (and a few brave men who choose to challenge the norm), graduation might be their only opportunity in life to wear a hakama. I embraced that opportunity with pride. Walking through campus in my outfit, I felt connected to both history and the strong women scholars who came before me.
Some asked if it was difficult to walk in. Truthfully, yes, it took some getting used to! But I embraced the weight of it, both literally and metaphorically. In many ways, it felt like wearing the honor and responsibility of everything I had learned. One of the most touching moments was when a fellow international student whispered, “You look like you truly belong here.” That stayed with me. Because throughout my time at Institute of Science Tokyo, I had always sought not just academic success, but a sense of belonging. And on graduation day, I felt it fully and proudly. Compliments from classmates and faculty reminded me that cultural appreciation and genuine effort never go unnoticed.
A day of honors
This was no ordinary graduation.
We weren’t just receiving our diplomas. We were making history. As members of the first graduating class of Institute of Science Tokyo, we were stepping into the world not only as individuals but as pioneers. We are the first to carry the Institute’s name into the wider world.
What made this day even more unforgettable was the immense honor I received: I was selected as the student representative speaker for the ceremony. Standing at the podium in front of my professors, peers, and mentors, I reflected on how far we had all come — from late nights in the lab to overcoming language barriers and cultural gaps. The speech wasn’t just mine. It was a voice for every one of us who dared to chase something bigger, who chose growth over comfort.
To my astonishment and joy, I was also awarded the Best Presentation Award, a recognition of my academic work and communication at the Department of Transdisciplinary Science and Engineering. That moment felt like a culmination of everything — the research hours, the writing revisions, the feedback loops, and the determination to make science accessible and impactful.
Looking forward
After the ceremony, I stood under the early cherry blossoms with my friends, capturing photos I know I’ll cherish for a lifetime. The hakama, the speeches, the diploma — they marked the closing of one chapter and the bold beginning of another. Well, guess what? I am continuing my journey at the School of Life Science and Technology! The pages ahead are filled with potential — research, exploration, and hopefully a continued mission to improve public health through science. Thank you for everything, GSEP.
To future graduates and international students: know that every step you take here, no matter how uncertain it may feel at the time, is building something extraordinary. And when your graduation day comes, wear your hakama or whatever makes you feel most proud. Speak your truth, celebrate your wins, and know that you belong here.
