Nice to meet you!!

My name is Chika, and since January I have been working as a University Program Coordinator at CIEE Kyoto.

Since joining in January, I have welcomed many students and have been involved in planning and running international exchange programs and daily activities. Supporting students in what may be their once-in-a-lifetime experience in Kyoto is truly exciting and incredibly rewarding.

My passion for study abroad comes from my own personal experience.

I grew up in Japan and had never traveled overseas before. During university, I felt a strong desire to go abroad, to challenge myself, and to discover my own potential. Even though I had no English skills and no prior international experience, I moved to Europe at the age of 21. I spent a total of eight months in Ireland and Malta.

In Ireland, I attended a language school and stayed with a host family. At first, I could barely understand what people were saying. However, my host family welcomed me warmly regardless of the language barrier. Through that experience, I not only learned English and Irish culture, but also gained a deeper understanding of kindness, love, and gratitude. It was truly a life-changing time for me.

After studying, I volunteered on a farm in rural Ireland. I woke up early to feed sheep, took care of the animals, cooked meals with the farm staff, and shared dinners together. Living and working in the Irish countryside gave me the opportunity to experience a way of life that I never could have known otherwise.

In Malta, I again attended a language school and later completed an internship there. Malta is one of the few countries in Europe where English is an official language, and in recent years it has become an increasingly popular study abroad destination. Students of all ages come from around the world to learn English. As part of the school staff, I was involved in planning activities, supporting students, and assisting with marketing. Meeting people from diverse backgrounds, building a community, and connecting across cultures was inspiring and full of daily discoveries.

Through these experiences, I realized that international exchange is not only about learning a language. It is about human connection, mutual respect, and the willingness to understand one another.

Having learned so much in Ireland and Malta, I decided that I wanted to be someone who could share the value of Japan with those who choose to study here. I wanted to help create meaningful cross-cultural connections and support students as they build their own life-changing experiences.

Today, I feel truly grateful that I can meet so many students and support them in discovering Kyoto and Japan. Please feel free to talk to me anytime—whether in the office or during activities. I truly love getting to know students and having conversations with you all, and I look forward to meeting and connecting with each of you.