Riku Kaizuka
High school student at Leman Manhattan Preparatory School in New York City, born and raised in Japan, interested in global economics, business, sociology, and the beauty and entertainment industry.
I am a current 12th grader at Leman Manhattan Preparatory School in New York City. Though I was born and raised in Fukuoka Japan, I began my high school academic journey with a year in Switzerland for 9th grade, where I attended boarding school and experienced living abroad for the first time before coming to the United States.
From Curiosity to Exploration
My experience living abroad has shaped the way I see the world. Growing up in different countries helped me appreciate my home in Japan while opening my eyes to global social and economic issues beyond the classroom. Being exposed to the beauty and entertainment industry through my family business also gave me early insight into professional techniques and real-world settings. What began as curiosity developed into deeper interests through independent research and exploring Japanese culture, from traditional arts to contemporary pop culture. I hope to continue developing these interests academically and personally at university. Please watch the video below to see some of my recent experiences that have shaped my perspective and show how I explore my interests.