A few days ago, I heard the wonderful news that a new student from Japan will join the full-time MBA’s RMI program starting this summer. His name is Kohta Kumazaki, and he works for a life insurance company in Tokyo.
The first time I met Kohta was when he visited campus in February this year. I remember that at the time, he was looking for a school that was consistent with his career and suitable for developing expertise. He was seriously listening to explanations from faculty and students. When I shook hands with him, I could feel that he was very nervous through his cold sweat. It was like my first day at the Wisconsin School of Business building. He would have looked forward to joining UW-Madison as I did, but it would not have been easy to make a final decision on admission. In addition to his expectations for life in Madison, he would also be concerned about a completely unfamiliar environment, including cultural and language differences.
However, I can confidently say that reflecting on my experience during the last two semesters, he has made a really cool, challenging, and excellent decision. He will gain insights into his professional development from the incomparably great UW-Madison RMI program and share his valuable knowledge and experience with intelligent students. He will also feel a sense of belonging and stability rather than the alienation normally felt by international students through Madison’s inclusive culture and exchanges with dedicated and caring faculty and students. When I met him last February, I felt as if he had already become a member of our community, and now that his joining has been finalized, I cannot wait to experience the RMI program with him. I sincerely welcome Kohta to be part of UW-Madison’s RMI, and I look forward to seeing him this summer.
Categories: