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Yukiko Iijima

STAFF INTERVIEW: Yukiko Iijima (Housing Coordinator)

One of the first interviewees for the Newsletter was Kyoko Kurokawa. Now, 48 issues later, we interview the new Housing Coordinator, Yukiko Iijima who is currently training with Kyoko until she leaves at the end of April.

Jon: What were you doing before you started at Yamasa?
Yukiko: I had just returned from America after graduating from Arizona State University. It was funny, I came home on the 7th of February and had an interview two days later and started working a few weeks after that!
J: What did you study at A.S.U.?
Y: Tourism. I studied liberal arts before that but I got a scholarship from A.S.U. because my grades were quite high.

J: How did you find America?
Y: I moved around a lot!
J: Why?
Y: I first went to South Carolina because my Uncle lived there and then I moved on to Idaho.
J: Was there any reason that you moved from South Carolina to Idaho?
Y: I wanted a change from the South to the North.
J: Okay, I'm a bit lost here. You went to University in Arizona, but lived in South Carolina and Idaho?
Y: That's right. I actually drove from Idaho to Arizona by myself!
J: I know America has become safer than it used to be, but wasn't that a little dangerous - especially as you didn't know the country that well?
Y: No, not at all! I enjoyed it a lot.

J: How long did you live in America for?
Y: About 3 and a half or four years.

J: You haven't been working at Yamasa for long, but up until now, what have you found to be the most difficult aspects of the job you do.
Y: Probably remembering all the student's names. Or I know the name of a student but I've never seen their face so it's difficult to place them. Catching up with all the work I have to do can also be difficult sometimes!

J: And how about the good things about the job?
Y: There's a very friendly atmosphere. Not only in the office but for the school as a whole.

J: Outside of work what do you do?
Y: I play tennis.
J: In Okazaki?
Y: Yes, at Okazaki Central Park. I was meant to play last week but the match was cancelled because it was raining.
J: Are you good?
Y: I used to play tennis when I was younger a lot and we used a ball which is larger and softer than a tennis ball. Now, I find it a little difficult because I'm not used to regular tennis balls.

J: Do you have any future plans?
Y: Perhaps a long holiday when I've finished working but apart from that I have no plans. I haven't really thought about it.
J: Where would you like to go on holiday?
Y: I want to see all of Japan, seeing as it's my home country. I've seen most of America so the next place I'll probably go to is Europe.

J: I know you're busy with all the new students so I'll let you get back to work - thanks very much for your time.
Y: Thank you!

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