Thank you, Sayoko
The FIUTS staff is saying goodbye to our amazing intern, Sayoko, who returns to Japan next week.
Today is the last day in the office for our awesome Winter quarter intern, Sayoko Suzuki. Here's an interview with Sayoko to share a little bit about who she is and what she has done in the last few months during her time with FIUTS.
Tell us a little bit about yourself.
I am from Shizuoka, Japan. I studied International Relations at a university in Shizuoka. After finishing the junior year I joined one year program studying business at Bellevue College and doing internship. I live with a wonderful host family.
Sayoko taking a picture of the cupcakes at her FIUTS goodbye party in the office
How did you come to FIUTS?
When I was looking for an internship opportunity, I asked myself what skills or knowledge do I have that can contribute to companies/organizations. My answer was that being an international student or Japanese. In addition, I hope I can work for a global company in the future, so I wanted to work with people from various countries. From these points, I thought FIUTS was the best place to be involved in.
What has surprised you most about the US, and what have you enjoyed during your time here?
There are so many differences between the US and Japan. In Japan, we differentiate the way of talking or acting based on the people’s age or status. However, here in the US, people are open and friendly to everyone. My host parents often talk to strangers and keep conversations, which is not happen in Japan.
Above: The table at the CulturalFest Japan booth, which Sayoko helped organize. Below: (L-R) Japan booth volunteers Naoya, Natumi, and Miharu.
I enjoyed watching football games. It is not popular in Japan, so I didn’t know much about it. After leaning rules I enjoyed games with my host mother so much. We got so excited when Seahawks became champion!
What has surprised you most about Seattle?
There are many people from different countries. Because of that, there are many restaurants featuring different countries’ food. I enjoyed such international food many times. One thing surprised me is that there are many teriyaki restaurants, which I have never seen in Japan.
People don’t use umbrellas even though Seattle is famous for rain.
Can you tell us about your work here at FIUTS, especially with CulturalFest?
Usually I am at front desk checking emails, helping people sign up for activities, keeping updating a spread sheet. However I experienced various kinds of tasks, such as giving presentations to kids, going downtown to shop stuff, preparing for Wednesday Lunch which I enjoyed a lot. For CulturalFest, I had the Japan Booth with Japanese volunteers. We had origami workshop, chopsticks competition and showed Japanese calligraphy. I was happy to see that a lot of people were interested in Japan.
What do you hope people learned from the Japan Booth at CulturalFest?
I hope they could learn Japanese culture that cherishes beauty from the colors and patterns of origami paper and chopsticks. And we have good Japanese snacks!
Sayoko (holding her farewell card and cupcake) with FIUTS staff members on her last day in the office
What was your favorite part of CulturalFest?
I could see and learn each traditional clothes, food and performance. Those who presented their home looked so proud of themselves. Especially the performance, I was really into it.
What are your plans after FIUTS?
I will finish my senior year at the university in Japan. At the same time, I hope I can get the job which I can make the most of my precious experience I had here in the US.
Thank you, Sayoko, for all your hard work and for being a part of the FIUTS team this past quarter! We wish you all the best in the future and hope you'll keep in touch.