What inspired you to join the team at Hokkaido JaLS?
I began working at JaLS as a Japanese language teacher, but after spending more time with students and hearing about their personal circumstances and dreams, I felt that I wanted to help them not only achieve their language goals but also their future goals as well. I felt that I would be able to accomplish this at JaLS.
Can you tell us about your role as the Student Affairs Coordinator?
If students are having trouble in their studies or in any other aspect of their life, I listen to what they have to say and provide all the support I possibly can. I’m also responsible for planning safe and fun activities for our students. I regularly screen activities, think of problems that may arise, and work on ways of how to prevent them. I am also responsible for keeping in regular contact with host families with whom our students often stay. Should any problems arise, I am the one to jump in and assist with the situation.
How do you support students in and out of the classroom, since you are also a Japanese language teacher?
If students have any questions regarding Japanese in their studies, I make myself readily available to answer them. Outside of that, I try to build friendly and family-like relationships with my students. This enables me to listen to anything they would like to talk about – good or bad – and provide each student with the individual support they need.
You studied Korean in South Korea. What lessons did you learn about studying a language abroad?
It is definitely important to use textbooks to study grammar, but having fun while studying is the best and fastest way to improving your language skills. In order to achieve this, the type of environment you study in is important.
What is your favorite part of your job?
When I help students and host families create wonderful relationships and they thank me—that’s the best part of my job. It also makes me happy to see students come back to study with us again. I have enjoyed the changes in the way I think, the new discoveries I have made, and experiencing the inner changes that I do.
Why is it important for students to travel and learn new languages?
By learning a language where it is spoken, the world you see and the people you meet will change drastically. The change greatly expands your horizons in every direction.
What hopes do you have for the future of student experiences at Hokkaido JaLS?
Studying abroad is not something that just anybody can do. I used to be one of those people. After living abroad your way of thinking and way of life will change. If JaLS can be a place to allow great meetings to happen and a place that offers life changing experiences for every single one of our students, I will be very happy.
