Mayuko K.

About Me

I'm Mayuko, a full-time junior in my third year at Stanford OHS. I live in Tokyo, Japan with my family consisting of my father, mother, and senior dog. Outside of school, you'll often find me in a variety of different places. For instance, I'm often in the pool as a competitive lifesaver, and you can also find me out in the city working as an intern for a local NPO. I also like reading and watching things (Youtube videos, films, anime shows... practically anything) in my free time. As someone with multiple interests, in the future, I'd like to work in academia in an interdisciplinary field that combines my academic interests like cognitive science.

Why I Chose Stanford OHS

I chose Stanford OHS right after experiencing remote learning due to the Covid-19 pandemic, when I realized that online schooling was a good fit for me. Up until then, I had spent my life primarily attending private schools in Japan. I wanted an academic experience that would give me rigorous yet engaging course work; an education that would allow me to deepen my knowledge in my areas of interests while also motivating me to overcome my areas of weakness. This is exactly what Stanford OHS has provided me.

For instance, as an international student living in a country where English is not the main language spoken, I've struggled with finding a school that provides me with an English curriculum that is rigorous and interesting. Stanford OHS' English curriculum is both of these things, and the coursework has led to the improvement of my essay writing, analytical, and conversational skills.

Pursuing an education at Stanford OHS also allows me to pursue my interests outside of school such as playing a competitive sport and volunteering for initiatives regarding mental health which I'm passionate about. Since students are allowed to create their own schedules by picking their desired courses and course times, I'm able to create a schedule that allows me to balance my academics and my interests.