My name is Reika Yoshida, and I am deeply honored to be the recipient of a Rotary Global Scholar Grant. I am currently an international graduate student from Chiba, Japan (D2790), pursuing a Master's degree in Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis, with a focus on Higher Education at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. I am deeply grateful to the committee for their generosity and support. This scholarship will allow me to concentrate more fully on my research in international higher education, a field I am passionate about and where I aspire to make a significant impact.
Throughout my academic journey, I have been dedicated to studying education, particularly English as a second language and international education. I have developed a strong passion for finding better ways to support international students in achieving success in their studies. Growing up in Japan for my entire life, I always felt passionate about interacting with people from different cultures which I realized at 14 when my family hosted two exchange students from the US. Since then, I began having a huge motivation to study abroad as well as studying the improvement for the better study abroad programs which are inclusive and equal for all the students to be successful.
With this scholarship, I will be able to advance my research and contribute to creating an inclusive environment where international students can get wider opportunities. I am committed to using my education to promote inclusive and sustainable international higher education. Thank you once again for this incredible opportunity. Please feel free to reach out at ryoshida3@wisc.edu, I am excited about the future and look forward to meeting with you all soon.