Born in the US with Japanese ancestry, Grace Sato is a third-year student at the University of Tokyo, studying Environmental Science in Programmes in English at Komaba (PEAK). As president of the PEAK Student Council, Grace is a key figure in the PEAK community and helps support and shape the academic and social life of many international students.
The Todai Shimbun interviewed Grace to find out more about how international student life at UTokyo is supported behind the scenes. (Interview by Richard Liu)
──What motivated you to come to Japan?
In my fourth year of high school, one of my friends in my Japanese class decided to attend Temple University’s Japan campus. I thought, “It’d be so cool if I could study in Japan as well.” After further research, I found PEAK. It matched a lot of things that I wanted: it is a really small programme, taught in English, has an environmental science programme, and a prestigious university in Japan. I decided, “That’s the one. If I don’t get in, I’m going to take a gap year.”
──What motivated you to become student council president?
Initially, I had a lot of hesitation. I’m not typically oriented towards formal leadership roles, nor am I necessarily the best at administrative processes. I was very nervous, but I am good friends with the previous student council president. Working closely with him and seeing the importance of the work he did is why I decided to run for president. I wasn’t initially interested, but it was necessary to keep the PEAK Student Council going and to continue providing services to international students.
──What is something UTokyo does well for international students, and what does it still struggle to provide?
When I first arrived in Japan, UTokyo did a couple of things that helped incoming students a lot. For example, they helped set up our national health insurance, bank accounts, as well as with the move-in process at Mejirodai International Village.
However, although there was support for international students in the beginning, many difficulties came later. There aren’t clear support systems in place to help international students navigate, for example, pension payments, which you need to figure out when you turn 20.
──How does the student council shape the first-year experience for incoming PEAK students?
We are involved in a lot of activities, from when new students begin university to even before they apply. The student council organizes volunteers for information sessions for prospective PEAK students, as well as information sessions for accepted students. We also create a group chat every year for incoming students, providing useful information.
Finally, my favorite and the most enjoyable activity is supporting new students in orientation and getting to have those fun moments with them, such as organizing programme-wide dinners, and then also sharing information about classes and the community as a whole.
──Have you had a moment with an incoming student that changed how you think about leadership?
I’m actually talking to a prospective PEAK student right now. We exchanged contacts and I’m helping answer their questions about student life and the programme.
I love answering questions for people. However, it doesn’t really feel like leadership. I’m just trying to be helpful. I think the small everyday things you can do to make a community better, or even somebody else’s life, are the most important.
──How can UTokyo better support international students beyond academics?
The PEAK Student Council itself does their best to fill those gaps that I was mentioning earlier.
However, I think that UTokyo could provide international students with more formal spaces for interaction with Japanese students. I think one of the biggest complaints is that when PEAK students talk to Japanese students, they often are not even familiar with PEAK.
──Do you have any comments on the College of Design?
I unfortunately don’t know a lot about it yet, but I think that the concept sounds really interesting. I also think it’s very unfortunate that PEAK is going to be stopped and replaced.
However, at the same time, I do think that PEAK has a lot of shortcomings. So, if UTokyo is going to build upon it and improve some of these areas, that would be great.
──What shortcomings should the College of Design improve on from PEAK?
I think that they have an opportunity to better integrate and create chances for international students to join the Japanese student community. Moreover, I often hear complaints that a lot of the classes in PEAK are too introductory and don’t dive deep enough— often there’s only a single class on a subject, then you have to learn something new.
I feel like the College of Design could fix these issues. Unfortunately, I don’t believe that they are aware of these shortcomings since the existing international students haven’t been consulted, which is a missed opportunity for everyone. Not only this, but many key members of PEAK faculty were unaware of what was going on when College of Design was announced.
There are hundreds of students with lived experience of what UTokyo is trying to build. Current international students should be asked what works and what doesn’t in order to improve the experience for incoming students.
──If you could give one piece of advice to first-year PEAK students or incoming international students, what would it be?
I came into PEAK with zero expectations, and I have had a really good time. I feel like if you don’t have high expectations and just go along with the flow, you will do great. The people are really nice. You’ll probably make quite a few friends. You’ll be fine.
This interview was conducted in English and has been edited and condensed for clarity.
The post Grace Sato, PEAK Student Council President: Facilitating International Community at UTokyo first appeared on 東大新聞オンライン.
Grace Sato, PEAK Student Council President: Facilitating International Community at UTokyo 2026 IUSTITIA.BG – Investigations 2009-2025 2026-05-25 05:00:50
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