Click on the photos below to learn more about our students!
PRIYA – India, Class of 2019
Favorite Subject: Physics
Favorite Author: Leigh Bardugo
Dream Career: Neurologist
Favorite Excursion: I loved going to the Zenkoji temple in Nagano last year. It was so beautiful and it was a good opportunity to learn Japanese culture.
Leadership training at UWC ISAK Japan has taught me that…
Something I learnt is that it’s ok to fail in something you do as long as you keep trying until you get it right. Another thing is you get better at what you practice.
“This year in Outdoor Ed I started bouldering! Its my new favorite thing.”
JAVI – Indonesia, Class of 2018
Favorite Subject: Chemistry
Favorite Movie: Fight Club
Dream Career: Biomedical Scientist
Favorite Excursion: An excursion to Tokyo for a Spanish festival. I liked it because it was essentially a whole day in Tokyo and the food at the festival was great.
Leadership training at UWC ISAK Japan has taught me that…
It is important to considering everyone’s opinion if possible in order to make a decision which is fair for all parties or at the very least the majority of people involved.
“I just love that in Science classes, there are tons of experiments which allows me to understand certain materials much easier.”
MINAMI – Japan, Class of 2018
Favorite Subject: Chemistry
Favourite Food: Chikara-Udon
Dream Career: Midwifery!
What is your greatest accomplishment since coming to UWC ISAK Japan?
I organised events at UWC ISAK Japan related to Japanese culture such as Bon Odori and Soranbushi. Since one of my aims of coming here was to spread my culture to the community, I am proud of having been able to accomplish this..
“Leadership at UWC ISAK Japan has given me an understanding of what a ‘Quiet Leader’ can be and I have been trying to be one in many places including her at school.”
ABDULLAH – Oman, Class of 2019
Favorite Subject: Mathematics
Favorite Food: Chicken Biryani
Dream Career: To become an engineer to benefit my country.
Outdoor Education at UWC ISAK Japan has taught me…
The value of resilience on long hikes!
Favorite Excursion: Matsumoto, because of its interesting war defense design.
Leadership training at UWC ISAK Japan has taught me that…
The person in front of a group is a leader, but even the followers are also leaders.
“I love Japanese culture and the way of thinking, as well as the cleanliness of the country.”
DENZEL – Zimbabwe, Class of 2019
Favorite Subject: History
Favorite Food: Pancakes
Dream Career: Football Management
Favorite Excursion: Trip to Tokyo during Fall break. It helped me be more independent and responsible as I was in charge of my own curfew and activities which was a first.
Outdoor Education at UWC ISAK Japan has taught me…
That the human body can withstand much more adversity if it does not always believe in what the brain says.
What is your greatest accomplishment since coming to UWC ISAK Japan?
Getting a 6 for maths! (I’ve always struggled with it)
COSIMA – France, Class of 2019
Favorite Subject: History
Favorite Book: The Lord of the Rings
Dream Career: To have the opportunity to travel around the globe and meet many different people, no matter what I do.
What is something you love about Japan and/or Karuizawa?
Nature! I think the 4 seasons are all very different and very beautiful.
Why did you apply to UWC ISAK Japan?
I chose to apply to UWC ISAK Japan as I felt like a diverse school like this one would allow me to grow in many different aspects. I believe diversity is a strength, and I would be able learn to so much from the others. A community in which respect and personal opinions are valued sounded fantastic to me, and I just knew it was the environment I wanted to live in. I’ve also always dreamt of studying in Japan, and the location of this school could not be better. The boarding school experience was also very appealing to me.
I love living with roommates because…
If you are in trouble, they will be there to listen to you and help you out. It is a different kind of bond we share, and very special, in my opinion.
“Living together creates strong bonds and allows us to make friends for life.”
GUNN – Thailand, Class of 2018
Favorite Subject: Theory of Knowledge
Favorite Book: The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time
Dream Career: Working for non-profit organisations
Favourite Excursion: I really enjoyed my excursion to Nagano City back in Fall 2016. It was my first excursion out of the Karuizawa-Saku area. I feel that as a new student coming to Japan for the first time last year, Nagano City offered almost all that Japan can offer – It has a big famous Japanese temple (Zenkoji) and a medium-sized modern city, which has all the restaurants and shops unique to Japan.
Leadership training at UWC ISAK Japan has taught me that…
We are not in control of everything that comes into our lives, but we do have control over our reactions and responses that would later impact everything else.
Something I love about the IB…
I love how many major IB assignments require us to write IAs and papers on topics that we are interested in. I feel that I have many opportunities to pursue the topics I am passionate about and go deep in those topics. Thus, in a way, I can learn more about things I’ve always wanted to learn more about but not yet have the opportunities to do so.
SAKI – Japan, Class of 2019
Favorite Subject: Mathematics
Favorite Food: Sushi
Dream Career: Journalist
Favorite Excursion: Kusatsu Onsen trip because I got to talk with people from different grades and also eat good food.
Leadership training at UWC ISAK Japan has taught me that…
Leadership is not something that you are born with and is something that you nurture. Following others is also a practice of leadership.
What is your greatest accomplishment since coming to UWC ISAK Japan?
I got to talk to professionals working in the field that I’m most interested in. I’d never imagined that those people would make time for me and accept my interviews. I’m proud of this because it is something that I would not have been able to achieve if I had not come to UWC ISAK Japan.
CRISTINA – USA, Class of 2019
Favorite Subject: Global Politics
Favourite Food: Ramen
Dream Career: Politician
Outdoor Education at UWC ISAK Japan has taught me… Going through difficult physical challenges can help you handle the difficult mental challenges ahead of you.
“I love how my roommate has basically become my sister. We support each other and are a good presence to make sure we are being healthy.”
ELHAM – Afghanistan, Class of 2020
Favorite Subject(s): Leadership and Math
Favorite Book: The Kite Runner
Favorite Food: Qhabuli
Favorite Excursion: Kusatsu onsen, one of the most famous hot spring resorts in Japan. It is said that this can cure every illness but lovesickness!
Why did you apply to UWC ISAK Japan?
One of the advantages was that it was located in the most beautiful city (Karuizawa) in Japan! I like Japan’s culture, and I believe it has the kindest people in the world. Secondly, because it is diverse, I knew that I would have the opportunity to live with different people, from different backgrounds and cultures in order to work together and make the world a better place. I believed that UWC ISAK would make me a leader; it provides an environment where we can find our strength and own leadership style and where we can realize our potential to become a change-maker by practicing leadership in our daily lives. We also get to experience the best and most modern education system, which is what I don’t have in my home country. Here I have my new family.
ESTHER – Sierra Leone, Class of 2018
Favorite Subject: Chemistry
Favorite Author: J.K. Rowling
Dream Career: Chemical Engineer
Favorite Excursion: Skiing. It was my first time and I got to learn a new sport/recreational activity and I learned a lot about the environment I live in.
Outdoor Education at UWC ISAK Japan has taught me… To be concerned about the well-being of others even if you are safe.
What is your greatest accomplishment since coming to UWC ISAK Japan?
Being able to live with others and accept each others’ differences.
AYARIN – Thailand, Class of 2020
Favorite Subjects: Biology and Art
Favorite Food: Thai Green Curry
Dream Career: Movie Director
What is something you love about Japan and/or Karuizawa?
The breath-taking views!
Why did you apply to UWC ISAK Japan?
I chose to apply to UWC ISAK Japan because I got the chance to experience the ISAK summer school in 2015. It was one of the best experiences I’ve ever had. I was amazed by how much I had changed and the memories and friendships I gained in just two weeks. That was when I realized that this was the school I wanted to go to. I felt that UWC ISAK Japan was a very unique place that could potentially help me find what I want to do with my life.
Leadership training at UWC ISAK Japan has taught me that…
There are many types of leadership, but most importantly it is not a title — it is a job/duty. Also, anyone can be a leader.