Voices of Jelper Club Members — Koki Shimamune Expanding Horizons through Economics at Cambridge

We sat down with Koki Shimamune (島宗 昂生), a second-year economics student at the University of Cambridge and recipient of a Sasakawa scholarship. Raised in Tokyo and educated at the renowned Kaisei High School, Koki is determined to understand the economic bedrock of society and ultimately shape Japan’s future from both a domestic and global perspective. In our conversation, he explains why he chose Cambridge, how Jelper Club helped him land an internship and a network, and what advice he has for fellow members.

Koki Shimamune

---Could you briefly introduce yourself?

Koki: Hello! I’m Koki Shimamune from Tokyo. After finishing Kaisei High School, I moved to the UK to study pure Economics at Cambridge. Aside from a one-year stint abroad as a child, this is my first real experience living overseas. I’m fascinated by macro-level questions—how economic systems steer societies—and I’m fortunate to study on a scholarship from the Sasakawa Peace Foundation.

---What led you to choose Cambridge over universities in Japan, the U.S., or elsewhere in the U.K.?

Koki: My decision hinged on three layers of choice:

1. Going abroad – Growing up in a private, all-boys Japanese school, I realized my peer group and viewpoints were fairly homogeneous. I wanted to break that bubble and widen my perspective.

2. Choosing the U.K. – Compared with many U.S. institutions, British universities strike me as slightly more detached from day-to-day politics, allowing a purely academic lens on social issues.

3. Selecting Cambridge – It offers a focused, single-honours economics program and an intensive collegiate system. Cambridge’s legacy—think John Maynard Keynes—also signaled the depth I wanted.

   
   

---Why economics?

Koki: Social change often relies on passionate activism, but that isn’t my natural style. I prefer to step back, examine structures, and then act. Business may power change, yet the “roadmap” for that engine is the economic and institutional system underneath. Studying economics lets me probe that foundation objectively.

---What are your long-term goals?

Koki: I want to work where I can influence Japan at a macro level—government, public policy, or a role that ties Japan’s position to wider global dynamics. Ultimately, I’d like to help Japan serve as a positive force internationally.

---How did you discover Jelper Club, and what value did it add?

Koki: While serving as a career officer in Cambridge University Japan Society, I found out Jelper Club. I applied for an internship through the platform and got the placement—so the professional benefit was immediate. Equally important is the community side: at a Jelper event in a church in London, I met another student who has since become a close friend. We swap career advice and even stay at each other’s homes. Jelper Club clearly isn’t a one-off job board; it’s a lifelong network.

---Any advice for fellow Jelper Club members who wish to build careers in Japan?

Koki:

• Widen Your Lens – Studying or working abroad can dismantle pre-set assumptions and make you more adaptable.

• Understand the Foundations – Whether you’re in tech, policy, or finance, grasp the underlying systems; it sharpens your impact.

• Invest in Community – Attend Jelper Club’s events, talk to peers, and keep in touch. The relationships you form may outlast any single internship.

At Jelper Club, we connect globally-minded students like Koki with opportunities across Japan. Whether your passion lies in economics, technology, or creative industries, our platform offers exclusive openings, practical resources, and—most importantly—a supportive community. Ready to follow Koki’s path or chart your own? Register with Jelper Club today and start turning ambition into action.