Q&A with TOMODACHI Program Participants and TOMODACHI Alumni: Mizuki Sakai
In this interview, we spoke with Mizuki Sakai, a third-year student majoring in International Liberal Studies at Waseda University in Tokyo, Japan. Mizuki is an alumni of the TOMODACHI – U.S. Embassy Go for Gold Sports Leadership Program, and was also a TOMODACHI Alumni Social Media Intern. She currently studies abroad in Italy as a foreign exchange student. She plans to pursue a career in marketing or branding after college graduation to become an international leader who aspires to connect Japan with other countries.
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Q:What sparked your interest in participating in the TOMODACHI- US Embassy Go for Gold Sports Leadership Program?
A: I did sports for most of my life – cross country, track and field, tennis, swimming – so I have always had a love for sports. I think the main reason for my application to this program was that it is in a country that’s known for its huge sports industry and business, the U.S. I wanted to go there in person and understand the history, culture, and potential but also the limitations of the sports industry in the U.S. Since I have been learning about sustainability in my university, I also wanted to learn how to balance the business side and ethics in this field.
Q: What did you learn or gain from the program experience?
A: The best thing I gained from the program was the life-long friendships I made with my fellow Go For Gold participants and mentors. Another significant takeaway was seeing so many Japanese people thrive as global leaders in the U.S. The thing that they had in common was their love for sports and the passion to make a contribution. The person that left the biggest impact on me was Dr. Mika Hayashi, whom I met in New York. She was a podiatrist, a doctor for athletes’ feet. She was very passionate about her field, so she said that she went for her dream and never gave up. Also because she is a female leader and many of the leaders that we met were men, it was interesting to see a Japanese woman who also grew up in Japan thriving in the U.S.
Q: What does TOMODACHI mean to you?
A: TOMODACHI holds a very special place for me. Over anything, I made such special friends and memories through the Go For Gold program. I think I can call them really my life-long friends. When I meet my Go For Gold friends even after the program, we always talk about how at first we were nervous about if we would get along or not, because all ten of us were really different. We had different backgrounds and personalities and even vibes, but throughout the two weeks of group work and staying together in a country outside Japan and helping each other, our bond became very strong. So, I am really grateful for TOMODACHI.
Q: Having lived in Singapore, the U.S., and Italy, please tell us about the difficulties you faced overseas and how you overcame them.
A: I faced language barriers, questioning of identity, culture differences and culture shocks. I think as I look back at my life, I have experienced most of them but naturally over time, I have become used to adapting to the new environment and relationship. One thing I think that worked in all countries – Japan, Singapore, U.S., Italy – was being open-minded and staying positive. I like the phrase, “You only live once” so I try to be grateful for the opportunities that I have, although I do have hardships. I think when you have an open-minded mindset, people will naturally be attracted to you and things naturally become so much easier.
Q: Are there any connections that you made while participating in the TOMODACHI program that you continue to foster today?
A: All ten of my fellow program participants, and also our mentor Yamashita sensei. Some, including me, are studying abroad right now and some are already working in the sports industry, and others are working in industries not directly related to sports. We have had a few reunions after the program ended and it’s so fun to catch up with everyone and hear what their dreams and plans for the future are. Although more than half a year has passed, we even contact each other every day. I respect all of them so much and since half of the delegates or maybe more than half are older than me, I always appreciate their advice. I really want to continue fostering those connections because this friendship has been a very huge part of my life since the program.
Q: What is your favorite part about being a TOMODACHI intern?
A: My favorite moment was when I made a reel for our Instagram account featuring Kaoru-san and Mark-san. My intention for the video was to attract as many people to apply to our virtual talk session and increase our account’s followers and engagement. After posting, I logged into our account again and something popped up when I logged in and it was like an achievement notification that said we reached 1,000 views for the first time. Even though it’s not huge, it felt like what I tried to do with my creativity had cultivated with being recognized and accepted in a way. It made me really happy.
Q: Please give a message to our future TOMODACHI program participants.
A: One quote I really like is “Success is often achieved by those who don’t know that failure is inevitable.” It’s my favorite quote actually, and it’s by Coco Chanel. I think that when I have to choose a path between two, I would go for the more challenging and risky one because I know that I would be able to grow more as a person. I really think that without mistakes and failure in life, we would not have the chance to grow or change. For most people, including myself, taking action scares us a lot because it’s risky, but I think we should not give up and give it a try.
This interview was conducted by Karina Quinn and Nina Takanami on December 10, 2024. Karina and Nina are currently interns with the TOMODACHI Alumni Leadership Program.
