Category: English Language Institute
Alumni Spotlight: Kento Kawaida
December 08, 2025 Written by CAS Communication Staff
Where I'm From
Fukuoka, Japan
Where I Am Now
PhD student at University of South Florida
When I studied at the ELI
2018
How did the ELI help you grow?
One of the courses I took at ELI helped me develop pre-writing skills, such as mind mapping and brainstorming. Also, classroom discussions allowed me to practice speaking English publicly in front of diverse audiences.
What is the best memory that you have from the ELI?
Interactions with people from different countries. I remember having a conversation with my classmate, who is from Saudi Arabia. We recognized different accents in English and tried to understand them. For me, at that time, knowing that English could be spoken in multiple accents was a unique experience.
What is your goal for the future?
My goal is to complete a PhD and make a scholarly contribution to the field of health communication.
“Be bold! Don't be afraid to make a mistake! I believe learning English opens up more diverse career opportunities than anything else. I never ever imagined that in the future I would pursue a PhD!”
