Hi I'm your Program Assistant

Written by Rei, Program Assistant

Hello! Thank you for visiting the CIEE Kyoto blog. My name is Rei, and I work as a College Program Assistant. I would like to take this opportunity to introduce myself.

About me

I was born and raised in Kyoto, Japan. My interest in English and international cultures started when I was young, influenced by my mother. Since then, I have always enjoyed communicating with people from different backgrounds. I love traveling, hiking and snowboarding, and recently I also started learning salsa dancing.

So far, I have traveled to around 15 countries and lived in both Canada and Australia for several years. Through those experiences, I learned how exciting it can be to step outside of your “normal” world and experience different ways of living and thinking.

Learning Through Cultural Differences

Growing up in Kyoto, this city was simply “home” to me, and I never thought deeply about its culture or history. However, after meeting students through CIEE, I began to see Kyoto from a completely different perspective and appreciate how special it truly is. Realizing this has also made me feel grateful that I chose to work in this field.

I believe the culture and way of thinking in Japan can feel very different from those in Western countries. Sometimes those differences may feel surprising, confusing, or even uncomfortable. However, I also believe those moments are where we learn and grow the most. I hope students can stay open-minded and think, “That’s just another way of doing things.”

Studying abroad gives students the chance to discover new perspectives, challenge themselves, and broaden their future possibilities in ways they may never expect.

Say Yes to New Experiences

One thing I always encourage students to do is to meet as many people as possible and say “yes” to opportunities and plans. Some of the best memories and friendships come from unexpected moments — joining a trip, trying a new activity, or simply having conversations with people from different backgrounds.

At times, living abroad may feel challenging, but that is exactly why we are here for you. I hope students can feel supported while enjoying not only the famous temples and shrines of Kyoto, but also the everyday moments and connections they make during their time here.