Picture Yourself Here: Izumi Sakai

Izumi Sakai, a native of Japan, has been a student at Kalamazoo Valley since August 2023. This is the second time she has traveled to the U.S. to study abroad, but her first time back in seven years. "The first time I was in New Mexico so this time I wanted to be north. Michigan is a very popular place for Japanese students," she explained.

After completing her first study abroad experience, she returned to graduate from her Japanese high school. "Following graduation, I intended to attend an American university, but my plans were derailed due to family matters," Sakai said. "Despite feeling severely depressed about the situation, when I confided in my mentor, who had been my study abroad counselor in Japan, about the cancellation of my academic plans, she reassured me, saying that I didn't have to give up on my dream of pursuing academics in America. Instead, she advised me to save money and work towards achieving my goal independently. Her words were simple, yet they encouraged me, as they made me realize that I didn't have to abandon my dream. I followed her advice and began working as a sales assistant at a Japanese pharmaceutical company."

After two years on the job, she successfully passed the entrance exam for a Japanese university and began balancing full-time work with her studies. Her schedule in Japan involved waking up at 5 a.m. to commute to the company. After finishing work, she would head straight to the university, attend classes until 9 p.m., and then return home by 10 p.m. "It was a long and demanding day, but I was committed to balancing work and studies to pursue my goals," Sakai said. "I'm so glad to be able to focus on my studies here," she said. "I really like it here, maybe because of my adaptability. My English has improved and people are very affirming."

In addition to her studies, she works at the Culinary and Allied Health Building and has joined a local chorus. "I'm enjoying spending time with people in the community," she said. "It gives me more opportunities to talk with people."

She is studying psychology at Kalamazoo Valley and was inspired by her mentor's ability to uplift and encourage others. "Studying psychology aligns with my new dream and will equip me with the skills needed to make a positive impact on people's lives," she said. Sakai plans to return home to complete a bachelor's degree in the spring of 2025.