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Senior Yoko Hisada, an FP international student

by Alma Bjelic
Exchange Staff

     It's not easy being a international student but senior Yoko Hisada still manages to be a good student and accustom herself to Franklin Pierce culture.

     A native of Tokyo Japan, Hisada came to Franklin Pierce in hopes to get a degree in Mass Communications but that soon changed to a Graphic Communications major with a advertisement minor. "I like it here better. The classes are smaller and you can actually communicate with professors while in Japan that's not possible. It's more comfortable to be able to talk to your professor."

        Hisada is also the secretary of the International Club. She enjoys getting to know different people and their cultures. "I did realize that some people don't like me because I am a foreigner. But I don't care. I love getting to know people, especially their culture."

     As a child, Hisada didn't really care to connect with friends but after the birth of her baby brother Tomo, she became more social, which she thinks is very important when one is in such a diverse country like the US.  Hisada doesn't limit herself to just Japanese friends, this year she is living with students from Europe, Asia and South America.

        Her love for culture comes as no surprise, Hisada has traveled to all kinds of places with her family. Mostly Europe, she has been to Italy, the UK, Switzerland and Liechtenstein. Even though she finds living in Japan easier it is more expansive.

     Yoko hopes to stay in the US after graduation working at IACE Travel Agency. She had applied to five other jobs over the year but was overjoyed when IACE told her the night before that she was hired. "I really wanted this job. I know I will work really hard towards my future career but first I have to study hard to graduate."

        After one year working for the agency, Hisada would have to go back to Japan. "It is really hard to get a working visa after graduation. I got one only for a year then I have to go back."

     Back home Yoko hopes to start a family and still find time for a successful career.
 

Yoko with her father, mother and little brother Tomo.

      Yoko back home in Tokyo.

   Yoko's visit to the UK over Spring Break '08