yUkiya sasagawa inspires new Canadians By tracey Skehan
When international student Yukiya Sasagawa (BaSc’17) arrived in Canada, he was determined “to do something very meaningful,” he says, “something that used my full abilities.” Fate intervened when a friend employed by the Barrie Public Library thought Yukiya would be the perfect person to lead their just-established english language program for immigrants. “When she told me, I thought she was putting me on,” Yukiya says, “but I really wanted to do it. Language is strongly connected to the culture of a place – without it you are isolated.” his volunteer work earned him a 2016 newcomer Recognition award from the County of Simcoe, but it was seeing his students blossom that made Yukiya most proud. “one woman,” he says, “had a 10-year-old son who was fluent in english and she wasn’t able to communicate with him in the language he used daily. She was at home alone all day until she found the library’s english Conversation Circle.” as a newcomer himself, Yukiya understood what it was like to find yourself in a completely unfamiliar environment.
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he grew up in Japan’s niigata Prefecture where his father has a small agricultural machinery business. after studying english at a college in tokyo, Yukiya’s course coordinator suggested he further his education at Georgian College – one of the school’s partner institutions. eager to see more of the world, Yukiya enrolled in Georgian’s General arts & Science program where one class in particular would have a profound impact on him – a political science course taught by Lakehead University Professor Doug West.
In June 2017, Yukiya graduated with his Lakehead Bachelor of arts and Science degree and returned to Japan where he’s been hired as a high-tech precision toolmaker. While he waits to start his new job, Yukiya continues to be a vital community member. “Right now I’m working in the family business, going on walks with my grandfather, and teaching english to primary school children.”
“professor west asked students questions, engaged us in discussions, and let us think for ourselves. i became fascinated by Canadian culture and aware of the role the liberal arts plays in understanding society – because of that course i transferred to Lakehead orillia after getting my diploma.”
Read more about how our students, researchers, and alumni are changing perceptions and changing lives in Lakehead’s 2016/2017 annual Report.
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