Meet the M30s: Matthew Margolis on Exploring Tokyo's Culture and the Importance of Charting the Unexpected Path

Describe yourself in three words.

Invigorated

Meticulous

Caring

When you began exploring colleges, what kind of community were you hoping to find, and what made Minerva stand out from more traditional U.S. universities?

When I began exploring colleges, I was hoping to find a community of curious, thoughtful minds. After seeing Minerva’s focus on innovation and exploration, I realized that the traditional universities did not hold that as their focus. Minerva emphasizes experimentation and results while equipping its students with a global résumé and exceptional versatility. This novelty highlighted Minerva as a dynamic and forward-thinking university to me.

Having welcomed exchange students into your home, what excites you most about now becoming part of a global community yourself?

Having welcomed exchange students into my home, I have seen the exhilaration they receive by being immersed in a new culture. I am excited to feel the depth of awe and interest I witness them feel. I am also excited to gain adaptability and experience from living abroad and learning to assist others interested in a global lifestyle.

Is there a social issue, culture, or community you are particularly eager to understand more deeply through Minerva’s academics and global rotation?

I am particularly interested in exploring the culture of Tokyo, Japan. The Japanese cultural value of 改善 (kaizen), meaning continuous improvement, reflects how I like to run my life. Similarly, the communitarian practice of 我慢 (gaman), meaning to face struggles with deep patience and control, mirrors a level of maturity that I would like to obtain in the future. For these reasons, the culture of Tokyo, Japan enthralls me.　

What would you say to another U.S. student who is excited by Minerva but hesitant to choose a college experience that looks different from the traditional path?

I would say that you should ask yourself a question. Would you rather chart the known, antiquated trail? Or would you rather cut through the exciting, unexplored brush that could lead to El Dorado?

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Interested in charting the unexpected path and exploring some of the largest cities in the world? Learn more about Minerva's "city as the classroom" approach here.