Chigusa Katoku

Director of International Programs
Mission College

What inspired you to work in this field?
I was born and raised in Japan and came to the U.S. as an international student in 1992 (returned to Japan in 1993) and again in 1999. I went through my own set of struggles as a foreign student — learning English as a second language, feeling homesick, trying to be more “Americanized” to fit in, trying hard to prove myself, and having an identity crisis. 

The reason why I am in the field of international education and doing what I am doing is because of my background and experience as an international student in the U.S. Every day I feel proud of the work I do as the Director of International Student Programs and Services at Mission College. For me, there is nothing more rewarding than being able to help and connect with international students. 

What are the challenges you've faced?
I wrote earlier about some of the struggles I experienced as an international student, but as my career and personal life have evolved, I have faced new challenges. One of the greatest has been learning how to balance a demanding and meaningful career with family responsibilities, personal well-being, and major life transitions. As the mother of a daughter with special needs, I have learned the importance of resilience, advocacy, flexibility, and asking for help. These experiences have taught me that strength does not mean managing everything alone—it also means recognizing when we need support, adapting to change, and making space for our own growth and fulfillment.​

What do you hope to achieve in the future?
I hope to continue to build bridges between countries and help connect people with others from different cultures and backgrounds. One way to do that is to promote study abroad. My dream is to be able to create an opportunity for everybody to visit/live in another country. This is a lofty dream, but I keep working towards that dream every day.  

If you can give 1 or 2 pieces of advice to our prospective international students, what would it be?
Take the courage to advocate for your education and your future. Studying abroad will be a life-changing opportunity for you. 

Ask for help. Living in another country can be exciting but stressful. People want to help you.