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At just 12 years old, Akari Takahashi ‘24 moved across the world alone.

Leaving her home in Japan for the United States, she said she hoped to learn English and immerse herself in new cultures. Taking leaps of faith soon became a defining trait.

Years later, she took on another challenge when she began her college journey online, as she joined Lehigh University at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic and was a member of its Virtual College Success Academy (VCSA).

Takahashi said this program meant being unable to attend live classes, even online, as she was working with a time difference while being in Japan. She also said she initially felt disconnected from campus life.

“However, the faculty and mentors at VCSA were incredibly supportive,” she said. “They introduced us to Lehigh’s history and the many opportunities available to students, like club activities, which helped me feel more connected to the university even before arriving.”

Overcoming the Distance

One of the most valuable lessons she gained from VCSA was learning how to effectively communicate with professors and ask for help when needed. It also gave her an early understanding of Lehigh’s academic expectations, introduced her to helpful resources like tutoring, and strengthened her English skills.

Beyond academics, Takahashi said she was able to make friends through the program before even arriving at Lehigh. Additionally, it introduced her to different opportunities, and she said she felt completely prepared to get involved in the university community upon her arrival.

When she did arrive, filled with nerves yet a newfound sense of confidence, she quickly became involved. Throughout her four years, the biology major and health, medicine and society minor took part in offices and organizations like the International Center for Academic and Professional English (ICAPE), the TRAC Writing Fellows Program, and the student magazine Voices, for which she served as president. This August, she’ll take her education a step further when she joins the University of Maryland School of Medicine.

She said ICAPE provided valuable support through its workshops and an opportunity to meet students from diverse cultures and backgrounds. She said these experiences helped her develop strong communication skills and learn how to engage with people from different perspectives.

“Through ICAPE, I also learned the importance of staying open-minded and continuously seeking new knowledge,” Takahashi said.

Thriving on Campus

ICAPE Director Mark Ouellette said her Lehigh journey is exemplary of what the center hopes its students accomplish.

“Akari's involvement in VCSA, International Voices and her ongoing campus engagement exemplifies the qualities ICAPE values in a successful student: someone who takes risks, embraces diversity, fosters meaningful exchanges of expertise and resources, and inspires others to do the same,” Ouellette said.

Teresa Cusumano, a language specialist with ICAPE and the faculty advisor for Voices — a student club and literary art magazine that celebrates Lehigh’s diverse community — worked closely with Takahashi throughout her time at Lehigh.

Within the magazine, she said she observed Takahashi’s steady evolution from a quiet, unassuming newcomer to a compassionate and diplomatic leader who left a lasting impact on the club.

“She was just kind of this quiet little force that did a lot of good and really kind of took the club in a whole new direction,” Cusumano said.

Takahashi said she initially joined Voices because she’s passionate about the arts and hoped to connect with people who shared that interest. She also was eager to learn about new cultures and engage with people of diverse backgrounds.

When she eventually reached leadership positions, she had the opportunity to connect with different departments and see the value of hosting events from a higher level.

“It was rewarding to see how creativity, diversity, and inspiration flourished across campus, and I’m proud of the role I played in fostering those connections,” she said.

On the executive board of Voices, even when she served as vice president and later president, Cusumano said Takahashi’s leadership style was never defined by telling others what to do. Instead, she was a mentor who truly tried to get to know her club members.

Knowing Takahashi joined Lehigh through VCSA during the pandemic, Cusumano also said Takahashi took it upon herself to ease other students’ difficult transitions. If Takahashi heard a student was struggling, Cusumano said she'd reach out to them immediately, even if she didn’t know them.

A Lasting Impact

But Takahashi said it was Cusumano who acted as a support system when she was adapting to a new environment herself.

“Teresa guided me through the process, teaching me how to communicate with other clubs, secure financial support for the club, and organize monthly events for Lehigh students,” she said. “Her mentorship made a huge difference in my leadership experience and helped me create meaningful opportunities for the campus community.”

Cusumano said a turning point she witnessed in Takahashi’s journey was when she was preparing to graduate. She said she’d come into her office to sit and talk, and she couldn’t help but notice her growth.

“She had a lot of roots here, right?” she said. “She really established herself as someone.”

This growth was even more evident when they kept in touch after Takahashi’s graduation, Cusumano said.

She said one day, Takahashi emailed her to tell her she was going to apply to medical school, and she noticed her writing was different, her tone was different, and she was much more confident.

“Now that I’ve been accepted to medical school, I can see how much my time at Lehigh—especially starting with VCSA—has helped me get ready for this next step,” Takahashi said. “The academic skills I developed, and the ability to communicate and adapt, will definitely help as I move forward in my medical studies.”

Looking back, she said she’s proud of how she’s grown, both academically and personally. She said she cherishes the relationships she built with professors, mentors and friends at Lehigh, and she encourages other international students starting their college journeys to take advantage of every opportunity to engage with their campus community.

“From starting as a student struggling with language barriers to leading an organization like Voices, I gained confidence in my ability to navigate challenges,” Takahashi said.