This month, we're shining our staff spotlight on Wakako Wengel, our Senior Project Specialist working within our HQ office.
Wakako is an amazing talent working behind the scenes to support all things internationalization here at SAF. Though she's now based in the US, her journey with us started in Japan 14 years ago, supporting our students and making sure programs were just right for them. From sharing her insights on our new Salesforce system to crafting special study tours for our students in Japan, Wakako brings a thoughtful touch to everything she does.
Come along as we chat about what sparked her passion for helping students see the world, her adorable crew of five cats, and those moments that make all her hard work so worthwhile.
What's your role at SAF?
WW: I started working as a Senior Project Specialist at HQ in September 2024 but my current focus is supporting organizational internationalization.
To be more specific, I’m heavily involved in the Salesforce implementation process as a SAF Subject Matter Expert and Change Network Member to ensure the new system accounts for the needs of students outside the US and to support SAF staff’s transition to this new system.
I also handle some of SAF customized Study Tour programs with a particular emphasis on programs tailored to students from Japan. I process the applications, update pre-departure guides, and communicate with IES Global Centers and SAF Japan.
I’m working on standardizing pre-departure content across all of SAF so that we can have a foundational set of helpful content that's more aligned with IES programs.
What has been the most rewarding part of your job?
WW: When I was working at SAF Japan, it was seeing the growth of students who would come back after studying abroad, and when students told me the things they had overcome during their studies.
In my current position, it'll be rewarding when I see the projects I'm working on now actually make staff’s lives easier!
What inspired you to work in the study abroad industry?
WW: Like many other SAF/IES staff members, I studied abroad myself. Through my own experiences, I can confirm that studying abroad provides valuable experiences and opens new possibilities to students. Knowing that, I wanted to go into a career that encourages and supports students who want to get out of Japan and experience the world.
I wanted to make use of what I studied in graduate school as well. I majored in Intercultural Communication, and I thought my knowledge of Intercultural Communication would be useful in supporting students who want to study abroad.
How has your role evolved since you first started?
WW: I was first hired on as an on-campus advising staff member for just one of SAF Japan’s partnered universities. After some time, I began handling everything from student recruitment to their pre-departure for a few partnered universities.
During the latter half of my time at SAF Japan, I began to specialize in program advising for students who applied to SAF programs. I supported their application process through pre-departure, additionally working with the HQ office when on-site students experienced emergencies.
I also started a post-program workshop where alumni could work with career consultants who support their career development.
Just last year, I left Japan and moved to the US due to family reasons. I was very fortunate to find my current position within the HQ office, where my experience in Japan was recognized and appreciated.
How do you ensure that each student’s experience is personalized and successful?
WW: I used to talk to students about how to perceive trouble during pre-departure orientation. No matter how well prepared they are, trouble, big or small, can happen while they are studying abroad, and depending on how they view that trouble, it could be an opportunity, or it could end up just being trouble.
Study abroad without any troubles is not necessarily a good experience. The sense of accomplishment and what they gain in the process of solving or overcoming troubles can be significant, and this can lead to a successful study abroad!
Can you share a memorable experience with a student or family you worked with?
WW: I was once invited to a junior high school to speak about study abroad opportunities. A SAF alumni (who I'll share more about in the following question) came with me, and he shared his experiences and reasons for wanting to go abroad. The students were really engaged with his story, we got a lot of great feedback on the presentation afterwards!
What’s a study abroad success story that has stayed with you?
WW: The experience of a certain SAF Japan alumni has to be my favorite success story. During a previous study abroad trip, this student had learned about parkour for the first time. Soon after, he started practicing parkour on his own.
Then, while studying English at UCLA with SAF, he additionally took the opportunity to participate in US parkour competitions. With the help of teachers at the language program, he even organized events for beginners to try parkour. He was challenging himself and connecting with other people—all while improving his English.
After returning to Japan, he continued the path of parkour, and he's now one of Japan's leading parkour athletes. I know that everyone has their own form of success in studying abroad, but his story is one that has stayed with me.
What’s one thing you always keep on your desk or in your workspace?
WW: I keep these drawings my kids made when they were younger inside my mousepad! They are good memories!
At home, my cats keep my company as well, so whenever I feel tired, I pet them!
What’s your favorite hobby or activity outside of work?
WW: I’m a cat lover and have five cats! Whenever I have time, I spend time with them in the covered patio, take pictures of them, or play with them.
