Miyuki Sato (age 61, at the time of interview) used the study abroad agency Wish International (commonly known as WISH) to study abroad after retirement. While receiving employment and career change support after returning to Japan, she came across Navi Individual Tutoring Academy, an educational service business. She is currently working as a part-time lecturer, and is in charge of providing study guidance mainly in English. She fulfilled her lifelong dream of studying abroad using KTC Group’s services, and is now finding a job that utilizes English. She interviewed Mr. Sato, who is enjoying his second life.
What is WISH International’s employment/career change support (Global Career Design)?
WISH’s study abroad support does not end with studying abroad; it leads to employment/career after returning home.
The aim is to “maximize the growth of those studying abroad by providing consistent global career development support from before they travel to after they return home.”
In the workshop before studying abroad, we will clarify your purpose and goals after returning home and create a concrete action plan.
After returning home, career consultants who are knowledgeable about studying abroad will provide employment and job change support that will help you make the most of your study abroad experience, in line with your individual career plan. Masu.
Please tell us about your background before studying abroad.
I worked at the post office for 42 years until I retired at the age of 60 in March 2022. For the past 11 years, I have also been the postmaster. Ever since I was in junior high and high school, I had always dreamed of studying English abroad. After retiring, I had more free time and money, so I used WISH’s study abroad support to go to Vancouver, Canada, to study a language for six months.
You said that studying abroad has been a dream of yours for many years, but what made it become a dream?
When I was in junior high and high school, I only listened to Western music such as Queen and The Beatles. I especially liked a pop rock band from Edinburgh, England called Bay City Rollers. It was very popular at the time, and I vividly remember going to see a concert with a friend when I was a sophomore in high school.
When I was only listening to Western music, I thought, “I wish I could understand the meaning of the lyrics in English,” so I became interested in English, and my dream of studying abroad grew. It was a really small trigger. I had hoped to attend a university where I could study English, but due to various circumstances at the time, I chose to get a job instead. However, even after that, I continued to keep in touch with my pen pals who lived in England, and I was always connected to English.
I was working hard at my job at the post office, with the desire to study abroad growing inside me. When I was in my early 40s, I heard from a young employee at work that her mother was going to Australia to study as a senior. Until I heard about this, I had been under the impression that studying abroad was something for students to do, so it was a real eye-opener for me and I wondered, “Is that even an option?” Studying abroad, which was a dream of mine, suddenly became a reality. I once again felt strongly that I wanted to study abroad, and decided to take on the challenge of studying abroad as a senior. I had been considering and applying for this study abroad program since I was still employed.
Among the many study abroad agents out there, please tell us why you chose WISH.
At the time, my daughter was also looking for a place to study abroad, and WISH was among the study abroad materials she ordered. WISH stated, “For those who studied abroad for more than 4 weeks, we will provide employment support after returning home.” The pamphlet also included an introduction to the children’s English conversation “Peppy Kids Club.” My second dream was to get a job where I could use my English skills after studying abroad. When she called to find out about job support after studying abroad, she was told that there was no age limit, so she decided to study abroad with WISH.
First of all, I consulted with WISH about many details such as school selection and daily life. The counselor who was in charge of me from the beginning, Tomomi Yoshida, also had experience studying abroad in Vancouver, so I was able to get more detailed information. She said that when Mr. Yoshida sent her documents, he included her handwritten notes, and she was always polite and friendly, so she felt safe entrusting the work to him. She is grateful that she was able to meet Mr. Yoshida and that she was able to make my dream come true. WISH also provided workshops before and after studying abroad, as well as email follow-up during my study abroad, which was very reassuring.
What was your study abroad experience like?
From November 2022 to April 2023, I went to Vancouver, Canada to study language for half a year. I was worried about studying with young students around 20 years old, so I chose a class called 30+, which was only for people over 30 years old. Some of my classmates were in their 50s and 60s, and they all had experience working in the workforce and were calm, so I felt very comfortable there. I made friends from various countries. To be honest, it took a lot of courage for me to go overseas by myself at this age, but I’m really glad I took on the challenge with the belief that “When in doubt, don’t give up and try.”
By the way, her daughter has also been studying abroad in Vancouver since April 2022, and the school I attend is very close to her daughter’s school. I spent two months at a homestay and the remaining four months in a rented apartment with my girlfriend’s daughter. It was like a dream to be able to study abroad with my child. It’s truly miraculous. I was happy every day, and the days were shining like gold.
After returning to Japan, I started working as a part-time lecturer at Navi Individual Education Academy. Please tell me how you came to work at Navi Individual Guidance Academy.
After returning to Japan, I participated in WISH’s employment support workshop. After that, I was introduced to Peppy Kids Club and Navi Individual Guidance Academy by the person in charge of human resources at KTC Group. Considering my English conversation skills, I ultimately chose to work as an instructor at Navi Individual Tutoring Academy. I am in charge of classes for elementary and junior high school students, focusing on English. By teaching English, I learn a lot about myself, and I also enjoy spending time interacting with my favorite language, English. I would like to improve my English skills and contribute to the school as an instructor. I feel anxious about teaching subjects other than English, so I prepare well for each class.
The KTC Group’s purpose slogan is “Pass the baton for tomorrow, now.” Mr. Sato has spun the baton toward his dreams by always moving forward. Who do you want to pass the baton to in the future?
I want to connect “the spirit of never giving up” to “everyone who has a dream.” I want you to keep holding on to your dreams without giving up. Even if you are not in a situation where you can make your dream come true right away, by continuing to think about your dream, your situation will change. I’m heading in the direction of that dream. If you keep thinking about it, you can notice small hints and ideas. I haven’t given up on my dreams since I was a student, and I am where I am today.
Another option is “When in doubt, go.” Rather than regret not doing it, I would like you to try it first. As I did, once you have the courage to take a step forward, you will find wonderful things and wonderful experiences beyond your imagination. Age doesn’t matter when it comes to challenges. I hope that this experience of mine will be of encouragement to you.
Baton message from counselor in charge: Tomomi Yoshida (Wish International)
From the time I first contacted WISH, I was struck by the fact that he said, “I’ve always wanted to work in English.” While there are many restrictions due to the coronavirus pandemic, I would like to introduce you to Vancouver, Canada, where I have lived, and here are some wonderful photos of me interacting with students from various countries I met while studying abroad. I was very happy to see that she was living a fulfilling life.
I am also receiving a lot of energy from seeing him make his dreams come true and start a new career with his innate spirit of challenge! Mr. Sato, with his bright and kind smile, is sure to be very popular with the students at Navi Individual Guidance Academy. I wish you all the best in your endeavors.
Study abroad agent “Wish International”
https://www.wish.co.jp/
Individual instruction school “Navi Individual Instruction Academy”
https://www.navi-school.com/