Kelly Li’s day would begin at six in the morning, and she would continue working until 10 at night. Coming from a highly ranked traditional Chinese high school, she says the long working hours and high expectations did not allow students to enjoy themselves outside of school. As a result, Kelly wasn’t able to take full advantage of her high school years. With the intention to break this pattern, she wanted to study at a university abroad that would allow her to balance both academics and personal life.
She has found this balance at Programs in English at Komaba (PEAK), where she studies Environmental Science. Many of the first-year science and math courses begin by reviewing high school material smoothing out the transition between high school and university. Her hardest classes so far have been PEAK’s mandatory Japanese courses, yet they remain her favourite. The small classes are filled with group dialogue and high levels of interaction with teachers, allowing each student to receive individualized support. Kelly finds that one to two hours per day is enough to keep up with her studies, allowing her to focus on interests beyond academics.
She uses this new flexibility to explore Tokyo with her friends, describing it as “a very vibrant city.” Before coming, her vision of Tokyo was shaped by Harajuku and Omotesando – simply big malls and department stores – but it has since expanded. Some of her highlights have been traditional Japanese markets and shops that reflect more intimate aspects of Tokyo.
She appreciates PEAK not only for the balanced lifestyle it provides – she further describes it as a “caring and friendly” environment with people from “different educational backgrounds and cultures.” These unique experiences create a diverse range of perspectives. In class and daily life, she enjoys listening to their stories and discussing deep topics which she says have “opened her mind.” With 100 students and small class sizes that encourage students to bond, Kelly considers her social life the highlight of being at the University of Tokyo.
Kelly further highlights how PEAK is an opportunity for April-entry students to study English and interact with international students. In a cell culture seminar she attended, she and her PEAK classmates became good friends with April-entry students, allowing both sides to learn about each other’s university lifestyles and cultures. As participating in clubs can be difficult for international students, Kelly says that the shared classes have been a great opportunity to bring both communities together.
Kelly emphasises the importance of balance in university life, which she has found in PEAK, allowing her to fully enjoy her time in Tokyo. “You can take control of your own life. You can spend time on what you love and make connections with a diverse group of people. I’m very happy with my choice of UTokyo.” 【真】
The post Kelly Li (PEAK ES): In Search of Balance – Discovering Freedom in University Life first appeared on 東大新聞オンライン.
Kelly Li (PEAK ES): In Search of Balance – Discovering Freedom in University Life 2026 IUSTITIA.BG – Investigations 2009-2025 2026-04-20 02:00:33
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