Makiko Fukuda is a 21 year old Intensive student from Japan. She arrived to San Diego at the end of September and has really blossomed as a student. Her bubbly personality and cheery disposition has made her a target for friendship. Read the interview below to learn more about Makiko!
Why is EC San Diego the best English school ever?
Hmmm…I think this is the best because of the teachers and my friends. They are all friendly people! I have never met such friendly people!
Are you learning English effectively?
Yes, because everyday I speak only English. If I have a question, I can ask teachers very easily. They give me good advice. For example, every day I ask my teacher, Ronnel, questions and he is very friendly. In Japan, it is difficult to ask my teacher in my classroom, but here it is very comfortable.
What is the best thing about San Diego and La Jolla?
Of course, the sunset. I’ve never seen such a beautiful sunset. I think it looks like the picture from the Malibu Rum bottle. In Japan, I never saw such a beautiful sunset.
How is your life in Japan different from your life now in San Diego?
First, people here are different. Here, everybody is very friendly. Also, in Japan, I was really busy and I always followed the time, but here I have a lot of time to take a walk on the beach, swim in the pool, go to the gym, or sit in the jacuzzi at Bay Pointe Apartments.
What is a typical day like for you?
In the morning, I wake up at 7am and I cook my breakfast. I eat toast and salad. Then I make my lunch. It is a sandwich. After I eat, I go to the bus stop and I take the bus to school. After I get off the bus, I meet my friends and we talk, of course only in English, then I go to class. At break time, I speak with my friends in English. After morning class, I eat lunch with my friends, sometimes on the beach. Then I have afternoon class. After class, I usually go with my friends to a café or to an ice cream shop for a snack. After that, I go back to my apartment and I cook dinner. After dinner, I go to the gym to exercise and then to the jacuzzi. Every day my schedule changes; sometimes I go shopping and sometimes I have a ramen party or sometimes I watch a DVD.
What are your goals in life?
I want to be a toy designer. I really want to join Bandai, the most famous Japanese toy company. It is very very famous and popular for students to apply to and it is very competitive to get a job there. When I go back to Japan, I have to find a job. Before I came to San Diego, I thought I was not good enough to join this company. Learning English will help me with this job because Bandai is an international company. I really want to work there, so now I really want to speak, write, and read English very well.
Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
In 5 years, I will graduate from college and I will join Bandai. Maybe I will be making toys. I think after I go back to Japan, I will enjoy my life more than before because here everybody enjoys their life more. I have learned how to enjoy my life.