Finding my path in Australia
I am currently in my first year of a Master of Philosophy in Engineering at the University of New South Wales (UNSW).
I began my studies in Australia during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. I enrolled in a Foundation program at Eynesbury College in Adelaide, South Australia, and then a Bachelor of Media with a Bachelor of Computer Science at the University of Adelaide.
Advancing research in inclusive language learning
Following my undergraduate studies, I moved to Sydney to do a Master of Interaction Design at the University of Technology Sydney (UTS). To further develop my research career, I then started my Master of Philosophy at UNSW in January 2026.
My research focuses on language learning using technology, such as visualisation and head-worn displays within the field of Human-Computer Interaction. I have an amazing supervision team, Dr. Benjamin Tag, Professor Flora Salim, and Professor Thad Starner at the Enactive Experiences Lab (EXL) and Collaborative Human-Centric AI Systems (CRUISE).
A place to belong
Why have I been in Australia for several years? I love Australia, and I can be fully myself here. I have been Deaf since I was born, but no one in Australia would see me as “a disabled person”. It doesn't have a negative meaning here, and Australia always gives me a lot of opportunities.
In Japan, I experienced being in a Deaf school as well as a regular school. I always wished I could study and live the same as people with hearing, but that was hard for me in Japan.
In 2018, I visited the Gold Coast, Queensland. I stayed with an Australian host family and attended an English language school. Although that was just for one week, it changed my life. For the first time, I felt I could truly be myself, even in a place where everyone else could hear, from different backgrounds, and spoke a different language.
Stepping into leadership
During my time at the University of Adelaide, I served as a Disability Officer in the Student Representative Council for one year.
Before coming to Australia, I never imagined I could take on such a leadership role in the hearing environment. I had always enjoyed leadership activities in my Deaf school in Japan, but I thought those opportunities would not be possible elsewhere. Australia made this possible. I also discovered my passion for user experience design during my studies, which led me to pursue a Master of Interaction Design at UTS.
Giving back through community and advocacy
At UTS, I actively engaged in volunteering, including roles as a Gender Equity Ambassador and a Wellbeing Representative. I delivered STEM outreach classes to public schools in Sydney and supported wellbeing initiatives on campus.
I deeply appreciated that my peers always welcomed me as an equal team member. With their support, I was honoured to be selected as a finalist for the NSW International Student of the Year Award by Study NSW.
Global impact through education
I am passionate about working with children in low and middle-income countries, particularly in Cambodia. This has been a lifelong commitment, and my master’s thesis at UTS focused on improving English education for Cambodian children through technology.
This passion led me to UNSW. I am currently researching language learning technologies because I believe that learning English transformed my life. Without English, I would not have found my place of belonging in Australia.
I believe that every child deserves access to language learning and the opportunity to build a brighter future.
Looking ahead
For me, Australia is a place where I feel comfortable and empowered. I deeply value its approach to inclusive education. I am excited to continue my journey here and to contribute to communities around the world through my passion for language learning through technology.