Welcome, reader, to another entry in our Alumni Spotlight Series. We recently spoke with Reina, who attended the Intensive English Program in the spring of 2022. Reina just earned her MBA from Rice University this past May and is now looking forward to a successful career in finance. Read on to discover her story and learn about her impressive achievements.
Reina dreamed of earning an MBA in the United States before she enrolled in the Intensive English Program. She had always looked for opportunities, and Rice University was her top choice. The perfect chance came, she said, when her husband was transferred to Houston from Japan by his company.
Reina told us she chose to enroll in the Intensive English Program before starting her MBA to begin to get used to life in Houston and to practice her English fluency.
"I wanted to take some time to improve my English conversation skills and gain more exposure to different cultures before starting the program," Reina said. And despite only being with the program for one session, Reina mentioned the significant impact it had on her speaking ability and remembers her time fondly.
"I found myself struggling to express what I wanted to say, even though I had studied English vocabulary and grammar for many years in Japan," Reina said. "At the same time, I was impressed by how confidently my international classmates shared their thoughts and gave presentations."
Reina noted that the confidence of her peers boosted her own confidence in the language. This experience was important in preparing for her MBA program.
"The time I spent with my classmates and teachers - through conversations and presentations both inside and outside the classroom - helped build the foundation and confidence I needed for the challenges of the MBA program," Reina told us. "Since communication and networking are such important parts of MBA life, those intangible skills proved to be incredibly valuable."
During her time at the Intensive English Program, the sense of community and close friendships were valuable for Reina. She noted that classes would often be held outdoors when the weather was nice, and groups of students would sometimes go to Rice Village together outside of class.
"I really enjoyed spending time with my classmates and teachers," Reina said. "The class size was just right - it felt personal, and we got to know each other well."
Reina mentioned that some of her classmates were from Türkiye, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Colombia, and South Korea. Part of this friendship included celebrating birthdays and sharing snacks from students' home countries, which provided Reina with an engaging opportunity to learn more about different countries.
Looking back at her experiences in both the Intensive English Program and her MBA program, Reina highlighted the importance of her teachers' roles in her journey.
"The teachers from the Intensive English Program were very supportive of my future goals; even after I completed the program, we stayed in touch," Reina said. "They continued to offer helpful advice, [and] I truly appreciate how much they care for each student."
This continuing support from the Intensive English teachers, as well as the friendships Reina formed in both programs, gave her the strength to overcome her fears, particularly in the MBA program.
"It was challenging for me to express my ideas in front of a group of make small talk with people I had just met - especially in a language that isn't my native one," Reina told us. "[But] the friendships I built with international classmates in both the Rice ESL program and the MBA program also gave me the confidence and comfort to step into those situations more easily."
Working with such a dedicated cohort of classmates in the MBA program gave Reina the experience in communicating with people from different cultural backgrounds and learning how to effectively cooperate in groups. This provided invaluable to her long-term dream of working in different countries.
"Working on team projects with classmates from diverse cultures taught me not only how challenging it can be, but also how to navigate those challenges," Reina said. "It was also meaningful to realize that, despite our differences, we often share similar anxieties, ambitions, and interests - which helped us form lasting relationships."
While she is soon moving back to Japan, Reina plans to build on her time in the Intensive English program and the MBA program at Rice to launch her career in finance. As she explained to us, “I like the phrase in Japanese ‘Naseba Naru (為せば成る)’ which means ‘Where there’s a will, there’s a way" or "If you try, you can succeed."
Reina continued, in her explanation of the phrase, saying that it relates the strong qualities of determination and perseverance, as well as being pushed out of one’s comfort zone.
“It's always an amazing feeling when something that once felt difficult and uncomfortable no longer feels that way - because I’ve improved,” Reina said. “I want to keep taking on those kinds of challenges throughout my life.”
As Reina returns home with new perspectives, new friendships, and a new MBA, she looks forward to a bright and rewarding career. Given her achievements with the program, we asked for her perspective and advice for future students.
“Immersing yourself in a different environment and building friendships across cultures can truly change your perspective and your life,” Reina said. “The experience will become a lasting memory, and you’ll learn far more than you ever expected.”
Thank you for reading this edition of our Alumni Spotlight Series. Keep an eye on our blog and social media channels for more in the near future!
By Hadrian Barbosa