Who I am matters

Where am I from?

 I was born and raised in Chiba, a Providence located next to Tokyo in Japan. After graduating from high school in Japan, I came to the United State to pursue my higher education. 

Where am I going?

At this point, I do not have a clear future plan, yet as a short time goal, I want to receive my Bachelor degree with Sociology major and Bussiness minor in two years. 

How do I get there?

 Before transferring to USC, I was thinking to focus on studying Sociology for the next two years, but I found out that I have finished most of my GE courses, and Sociology has fewer requirements. Because of these reasons, I decided to declare a minor in Bussiness in addition to my major. Though adding a minor could possibly postpone my graduation, I am planning to take summer courses and more courses during fall or spring semester in order to graduate in two years. 

How am I like my parents?

As I grew older, many say that I have been resembling my mother more and more. I do not think that I look like her, but people around me keep saying that. I and my mother also share the love for music and food. Comparing to my mother, I share less interest and preference with my father. Yet, one thing we have in common is that we prefer to go out rather than staying at home when we have a free time. Both of us seldom stay at home on the weekend. 

How am I unlike my parents?

Even though I share similar interests and appearance with my mother, my personality is different from hers. While she is more optimistic, I tend to be more pessimistic and careful. In contrast to my father, I am not as stubborn as he is and flexible. 

Have you developed your own expectations for yourself, or if you were honest, would you say you're operating under someone else's expectations?

I would say that I am under my parent's expectations. Studying at college in the U.S. is very expensive comparing to attending university in Japan. My mother sometimes tells me that they have invested a large amount of money in my education and she wants me to pay them back in double. Even though she is not saying this seriously, I know that they still have high expectation for me. 

Who serves as a model for you of someone who lives life with great passion and personal responsibility?

The person serves as my model is my father's friend, Kitae.  I have known her since I was a little and she has strongly influenced me. She is a strong independent woman who established NGO and works for children in need in Mongolia. Even though she has two children and her own business, her commitment to volunteer work is incredible. 

What wild animal do you feel a special connection with, and why?

The animal I have a special connection is migrant birds which travel back and forth to avoid cold and hot weather. Like them, I spend a certain period of time in the U.S. and go back to Japan during holidays. 

Describe a significant childhood encounter with a tree or plant

I was raised in an area where we can enjoy a view of beautiful transition of four seasons. My all time favorite season is spring because I love to see cherry-blossoms blooming. In Japan, school ends and starts in spring, therefore cherry-blossoms symbolize meeting and parting. Growing up seeing them, I miss the amazing view of them in bloom.