Kanako Sato
Tokyo, Japan
Concordia Class of 2006
B.A. in Social Sciences—Psychology and Sociology
Currently attending Teachers College Columbia University, Ed.M in Psychological Counseling program
“Professors have high expectations—but you can expect a lot from them in return. They make sure that you have the resources to explore any topic from a variety of viewpoints and through real-world situations.”
What surprised you most about Concordia?
Coming from a large university in Japan, I was impressed by how interactive the classroom discussions are —and the level of communication between professors and students.
What did you like most about your Social Sciences program?
Great professors who also became great friends. They kept me motivated and inspired to learn as much as I could about human behavior and sociology. Plus, we were given numerous opportunities to conduct case studies and projects outside of the classroom. It's always a fascinating discussion when my fellow students and I share our revelations and observations from these projects.
Were you involved in any internships?
I volunteered at the New York Open Center, a holistic learning center in the city. I worked in the program and events department to help plan future workshops. I liked it so much that I continued to volunteer there two days a week—even though I'd already met my class requirement. Even now, as I have a full-time job at Lutheran Social Services of New York, I continue volunteering at the Open Center few times a week.
What was it like to balance a part-time job with school?
I was a student worker at the Atlantic District LCMS. I was lucky to have found a place that respects the fact that my schoolwork was a top priority. They treated me like part of the team and I was able to meet great staff members who have become my friends for life. One of the greatest experiences working at the District Office was when one member of the staff volunteered to do a private Bible study for me. Exposure to Christianity not only helped me to understand my Religion classes, but also has been a great opportunity to grow in faith.
What's your favorite campus hangout?
The roof of Koepchen—my off-campus residence hall. Until we found out that we weren't exactly allowed to be on the roof, we enjoyed watching the stars and traffic at night. After that, we could always count on lots of laughs and late-night chats "under the roof."