SUMMARY

Kiyona, a young Japanese woman, explains her move from Japan to Kazakhstan for studies, driven by childhood dreams, family traditions of abroad education, and Russia's geopolitical turmoil redirecting her plans.

STATEMENTS

• Kiyona grew up in a northern Japanese city near an American military base, where her family worked, exposing her to foreign culture from a young age.
• Her family instilled in her the expectation to study abroad rather than follow typical Japanese education paths, preparing her through a special English-focused school.
• Kiyona's mother studied in Los Angeles, USA, and Mexico, making international education a family tradition that shaped her aspirations.
• Initially, Kiyona pursued figure skating and wanted to train in Moscow, starting Russian language studies at age 12 due to the sport's popularity there.
• At 15, she realized it was too late to join a Moscow sports school, shifting her focus to university studies in Russia or CIS countries.
• The war starting at age 17, along with sanctions, made travel to Russia difficult, leading her to choose Kazakhstan instead.
• In Kazakhstan, Kiyona studies Russian and is learning Kazakh, appreciating the open, multi-ethnic society and kind people.
• She feels morally at ease living in Kazakhstan and has no regrets about her decision to study there.

IDEAS

• Exposure to a U.S. military base in childhood can profoundly influence a person's adaptability to foreign cultures and desire for international living.
• Family traditions of studying abroad can create a generational blueprint for personal development, overriding conventional national paths.
• Starting language learning at age 12 for a specific passion like figure skating highlights how hobbies can pivot life directions unexpectedly.
• Geopolitical events, such as wars and sanctions, can abruptly reroute ambitious plans from one country to another, turning obstacles into opportunities.
• Multi-ethnic societies like Kazakhstan offer a welcoming contrast to more reserved cultures, easing moral and social integration for immigrants.
• Learning multiple local languages in a new country enhances immersion and counters initial isolation.
• Childhood dreams of abroad living, nurtured by family, often manifest later through alternative routes when original plans falter.
• Kindness and openness in host communities can transform initial backups into preferred destinations.
• Sports like figure skating, popular in certain regions, can spark early international aspirations tied to specific locales.
• Personal growth through abroad education involves not just academics but also cultural and linguistic adaptation as a holistic family investment.

INSIGHTS

• Early exposure to diverse cultures via family work environments fosters lifelong adaptability, turning potential barriers into bridges for global mobility.
• Geopolitical disruptions, while challenging, can lead to serendipitous alignments with places that better suit one's emotional and social needs.
• Family legacies of international education create resilient pathways, emphasizing preparation over rigid destinations.
• Multi-ethnic openness in a society not only aids practical integration but also nourishes a sense of moral ease absent in more insular cultures.
• Pursuing passions like sports can initiate language and cultural journeys, evolving into broader life transformations despite setbacks.

QUOTES

• "С детства я мечтала уезжать из Японии и жить в другой стране."
• "Моя семья там работала, и я часто с ним э там была, поэтому адаптировала под иностранной критурой."
• "Война нача началась, и очень трудно сказать, но там санкция, и я не хотела э туда летать."
• "Здесь люди очень открытые, а многонациональное государство."
• "Морально мне в Казахстане жить очень легко и люди очень добрые."

HABITS

• Enrolling in specialized schools focused on foreign languages from a young age to prepare for international life.
• Incorporating family discussions and planning about abroad education into daily upbringing.
• Starting language studies early, like Russian at age 12, tied to personal interests such as sports.
• Actively learning local languages gradually in a new country, building from basic understanding.
• Engaging with communities by appreciating cultural openness and responding to questions through videos or comments.

FACTS

• Japan hosts American military bases, such as in northern cities, influencing local urban development to resemble U.S. styles.
• Figure skating is highly popular in Russia, particularly Moscow, attracting international talents for training.
• The 2022 war in Ukraine led to international sanctions that complicated travel and education plans for many aiming for Russia.
• Kazakhstan is a multi-ethnic state with welcoming attitudes toward foreigners, facilitating easier social integration.
• Los Angeles and Mexico have been destinations for Japanese students pursuing international higher education.

REFERENCES

• American military base in northern Japan.
• Special school in Japan emphasizing English language.
• University studies in Russia or CIS countries.
• Moscow sports schools for figure skating.
• War and sanctions affecting Russia (2022 events).

HOW TO APPLY

• Assess your early exposures to diverse cultures and use them as a foundation for building adaptability through targeted language and cultural education.
• Discuss and plan international goals with family from childhood, enrolling in specialized programs to align skills with abroad aspirations.
• Identify passions like sports that connect to specific countries, starting relevant language studies early to keep options open.
• Monitor geopolitical changes and have backup destinations ready, evaluating factors like safety, openness, and educational access.
• Upon arriving in a new country, prioritize learning multiple local languages and engaging with communities to foster quick integration and appreciation.

ONE-SENTENCE TAKEAWAY

Embrace family traditions and geopolitical shifts to redirect dreams toward unexpectedly fulfilling international paths.

RECOMMENDATIONS

• Prepare for abroad studies by investing in early language immersion and cultural exposure to build resilience.
• View geopolitical obstacles as prompts to explore alternative destinations with strong multi-ethnic communities.
• Tie personal hobbies to global opportunities, using them as entry points for language and relocation planning.
• In new countries, actively learn local languages to deepen connections and ease moral integration.
• Share personal stories online to invite questions, building a support network and refining your experiences.

MEMO

Kiyona, a spirited young woman from northern Japan, arrived in Kazakhstan not by grand design but through a confluence of childhood dreams and unforeseen global events. Raised near an American military base where her family worked, she absorbed foreign influences early, dreaming of life beyond Japan's borders. Her family's tradition—exemplified by her mother's studies in Los Angeles and Mexico—steered her toward a special English-focused school, priming her for international horizons rather than the conventional path.

Initially drawn to Moscow's vibrant figure skating scene, Kiyona began Russian lessons at 12, envisioning a sports academy there. But at 15, timing slipped away for elite training, and by 17, Russia's invasion of Ukraine brought sanctions that dashed her plans. Pivoting to Kazakhstan, she now studies without regret, delving into Russian and Kazakh languages amid Almaty's welcoming multi-ethnic tapestry. "People here are so open," she notes, finding moral ease in their kindness—a stark, soothing contrast to Japan's reserved demeanor.

This detour has enriched Kiyona's journey, transforming a backup into a cherished home. Her story underscores how adaptability, nurtured from youth, turns disruptions into discoveries, inviting others to comment and connect as she navigates her new world with optimism.