When Yuriko Ishikawa ‘25 arrived at St. Michaels University School in 2021, she had no idea that would be the start of four transformational years. Yuriko came to Victoria for the start of her Grade 9 year and had to temporarily say goodbye to her family and life in Tokyo, Japan. She had previously visited Victoria on a school trip and felt confident that Vancouver Island would be her home for destination education.
“The people in Canada are really nice and so accepting of international people,” recalled Yuriko. “When I spoke with my agent, I told them I wanted to come to Vancouver Island and they recommended SMUS and another school on the island. I chose SMUS because it was also close to the city and downtown and seemed closer to more things to do.”
While the off-campus life has been a big part of Yuriko’s exploration as a boarding student at SMUS, it was the connections and atmosphere on campus that will be the most memorable stamp on her passport when she completes her graduating year.
“I remember I didn’t think I was going to come back after my first year because it was really hard for a non-English speaker to fit in but I really didn’t want to give up,” said Yuriko, emotional about those early months. “Soon enough, I found friends that I could talk to, both in English and some in Japanese, and most importantly I became close with my roommate.”
Yuriko and her roommate, Scarlet, from Hong Kong lived together in boarding for three years and bonded over being new to Canada, navigating English as a second language and boarding student life. It’s a friendship that lasts still today despite Scarlet not being able to return to SMUS for their graduating year. The two hope to meet up over the summer break before starting university.
From Member to Leader
Getting involved in the school was one of the top ways that Yuriko was able to hone her English skills, meet new people and stay connected. In her Grade 12 year she is Head of the Japanese Cultural Club, Head of Howard Club, Head of the English Language Learning (ELL) Peer Mentor Club, Co-Head of House for Symons House and she is a co-captain for the Senior Girls Development Field Hockey team.
That’s quite the resume for a student who just four years ago didn’t know English and thought she might not return after Grade 9.
Yuriko was full of pride as she described how she joined the Japanese Cultural Club in 2021 just to share the culture with her fellow students whether it was food or learning to write or speak Japanese. She is proud that this year her co-head of the club is a non-Japanese student, Teigan Wippell, a testament to the club’s growth and integrity.
In the Howard Cafe Club, there are over 150 students involved to learn about and staff the on-campus coffee shop. Students involved are keen to learn about how the cafe business works and work with the ever-popular Jon Perkins, manager of the cafe. The club is constantly bustling with energy and engagement and has no problem with attendance.
“In Grade 9 I was so nervous to talk to people because I couldn’t understand what they were saying but Jon encouraged me to take my time and it’s okay to make mistakes,” described Yuriko, who volunteers every recess and lunch break in the cafe. “Now, I love being in the cafe talking to people and practising my English. I also love to make the drinks, especially hot lattes, so I can practice my latte art.”
Finding Strength in Connection
As Co-Head of Symons house, Yuriko is proud of how engaged her fellow Symons House boarders are, coming out in full school spirit at House Games.
“Symons House is leading right now and I never thought that would happen but this year we are just so energetic and everyone is reaching out to help and work together,” said a humbled Yuriko, who also remembers her first House Games and not wanting to participate.
Boarding life has been a big part of her experience at SMUS. From her roommate to her fellow boarders to the boarding staff, she has been able to find her confidence.
“Talking to the house parents, especially Ms. Sloboda, was so important for me when I was struggling,” credits Yuriko. “Sometimes she would check in on me and we would chat for hours and together she helped me improve slowly. She just cared so much and took extra time to make me feel welcome.”
Learning English while studying in English is never easy and while participation in student activities gives the practice, steady and consistent support from the ELL program has been the pillar in Yuriko’s academic success.
“I’ve been in the ELL program for all four years of my time at SMUS and it’s been an important support for me because I get to be around other students who are going through what I am going through,” she described. “This year I am joining the same Grade 12 English class as the day students and everything is so much faster but I can bring my work back to ELL and we can annotate it together, re-think about what’s going on and find a theme together. I’m not afraid to speak up in ELL and we can work together to get through it. I know I have to study more (than other students) and focus on it but I’m proud of where I got to. I worked really hard.”
Passion and Purpose
As if heading up multiple clubs wasn’t enough, Yuriko also embraced the sport of field hockey since Grade 10, a sport she had never even heard of when back in Japan. In her Grade 12 year she was also named a co-captain of the development team. It’s the cherry on top for an international student that came with no expectations and will leave with every opportunity at her fingertips.
“An experience like (going to SMUS) is not something everyone gets so if you’re thinking about coming or not, just do it,” hyped Yuriko. “I got to know so many people from different countries and I now have friends all over the world.”
Following SMUS, Yuriko plans to return to Japan for her university education and she wants to pursue teaching, after she explored a summer internship at an international school summer camp.
“I found the thing that makes me happy, and I’m going to go after it,” concluded the determined Yuriko Ishikawa.
