Misaki Eguchi

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Misaki Eguchi majored in Japanese Literature at the University of Fukuoka Jo Gakuin. After her bachelor's degree, she went on to be trained as a Japanese teacher and obtained her teaching license. She taught in a language school in Japan for two years before teaching Japanese in Canada, Calgary to Junior High School students in an international school for 10 months.

What is your favorite travel memory?

My trip to Cambodia has been a mind-broadening experience. I was able to step out of my comfort zone and immerse myself in the local daily life. My host family’s house did not have any gas, electricity or a proper shower, which fascinated me. The ‘shower’ they had was a well with a pail to scoop out water; there were even fish living in that well. Never have I experienced such living standards and it made me appreciate what I have in Japan.

How have you changed/grown since working for your current company?

Before becoming Meiji’s School Director, I worked as a Japanese teacher. As a teacher, my sole focus was on teaching. However, as a School Director, I have learned to be able to handle many different tasks simultaneously. Keeping calm and managing multiple tasks at hand, especially in a multicultural context, has been my biggest take away.

What is the best story you've heard from a return student?

Out of many heartwarming stories I’ve received from returning students, one story holds a special place in my heart. Learning a new language can be challenging and intimidating for most students. This student, in particular, spent his free time after class reviewing and revising at the Academy’s common area. His eagerness to learn Japanese was commendable, thus, I spend my free time helping him out.

After returning from his trip to Tokyo, he bought me a thank-you gift. He told me that he was able to put the practical phrases I had taught him to good use during his trip. The sense of satisfaction of being able to extend their language abilities to a higher level and contribute to a student’s experience is unparalleled.

If you could go on any program that your company offers, which one would you choose and why?

If I were a student who is interested in studying Japanese, I would go for the Intensive Course and join as many activities as possible after class, especially the Language Exchanges. The more you immerse yourself in the culture, the better your language skills will get! The Business Japanese course is great for those who wish to find a job or internship in Japan. Personally, I love the Traditional Culture class the most because it is always a lot of fun and I just love seeing students discover my culture.

What makes your company unique? When were you especially proud of your team?

The teachers at Meiji Academy are professional and passionate about teaching the Japanese language. What really sets us apart from other language schools is that the teachers at Meiji come from different backgrounds along with unique experiences. Our teachers are flexible and tailor teaching methods to match the student’s goals.

What do you believe to be the biggest factor in being a successful company?

I believe the biggest factor of a successful company is Teamwork. Teamwork is important for the success of all businesses. It is especially important when your team comprises of a diverse team of individuals of different skill-sets, cultural perspectives, and backgrounds. It allows my company to thrive as our diversity contributes to new ideas and solutions. Our team is self-motivated and works together with a similar goal in mind, which is crucial for achieving our company’s mission.