Mary Chu

Class of 1981 Years at Seisen: 14 years

President of Seisen Former Students’ Association (2010 to present)

Current residence:  Los Angeles, California, USA

Interviewer Karen Okano

• What is your favorite school memory?

I attended Seisen for 14 years from Kindergarten through High School.  I have so many wonderful memories.  One of my fondest memories is the presence of the Seisen Sisters in school.  There was one Sister whom we played kickball and tag with.  She was so fast and active.  I was always amazed watching her run past us!  Another fond memory is the lunch time in the cafeteria.  I looked forward to Sister Manuela’s hot lunches and talking with my classmates.  Lunch time was always fun!

Not only did I grow up at Seisen, I also grew up in the shared community with St. Mary’s.  I was in the Varsity Tennis Team for all four years in high school and Seisen was number one in the league.  Tennis was my life in high school.  During my time at school (before Seisen had tennis courts), Seisen and St. Mary’s Tennis Teams practiced together at St. Mary’s after school, on the weekends, and during summer.  I have wonderful memories from those days.  I am grateful for the friendships which I made through tennis with both Seisen and St. Mary’s tennis players.  I am still close to all of them.  In my freshman year, I started the Cheerleading Team for St. Mary’s so we can support our friends at St. Mary’s and create opportunities for Seisen and St. Mary’s students to interact more with each other.  Seisen and St. Mary’s students attended each other’s games and supported each other.  

• How would you describe yourself as a child?

As an elementary school student, I think that I was one of the quiet students in class.  Outside of the classroom, I was very social.  I always had many friends. My Seisen friends were like my sisters and still are to this day.  That special Seisen bond never changes and is still strong to this day.  My childhood weekends were usually spent at Komazawa Park riding the bike all day with my classmates.  By High School, I discovered my passion for tennis.  I found something which I enjoyed and was good at.  Being part of the Varsity Tennis Team and winning all four years gave me confidence and helped me come out of my shell.  I learned about leadership, discipline, being part of a team, friendship, sharing, listening, and working together.  I also learned a lot about myself.  At school, I remember that I made a conscious effort not to belong to a clique and to be friends with everyone including other classes.  I participated in almost every sport (except volleyball and gymnastics) and other extracurricular activities in High School.  I was very busy all year.  I enjoyed being part of the school community and wanted to contribute as much as I can. 

• What sets Seisen apart from others?

What makes Seisen set apart from other schools and special are the Seisen values.  There are many international schools in Tokyo but Seisen is really special.  As students, the Sisters and teachers taught us Seisen values which are important life lessons.  We were taught respect, kindness, honesty, discipline, and other important values.  Seisen is an important part of my life and made me who I am today.  Most alumni talk about how Seisen is more than a great academic school due to the Seisen values and important life lessons which we learned as students.  We also felt loved and cared for at school.  Because we are very grateful, our alumni show love and gratitude by staying in touch and giving back to the school from around the world now.

• What types of careers are popular amongst Seisen graduates?

Many alumni are involved in professions which are international whether that be in business, science, education, communication, art, etc.  This may be due to the fact that we attended an international school in Japan which wasn’t our home country for most of us and we went to universities in other parts of the world.  Since we speak few languages, have international friends and were brought up in different cultures, we naturally end up in professions which allow us to be more open minded and worldly.

• What advice would you give to a Seisen student?

My advice is to get involved in school.  Please join as many extracurricular activities whether you are good at it or not.  Until you try it, you won’t know what you might discover about yourself.  Not only are you contributing to the school, you will get much joy from participating in something you are proud of.  Another advice to the Seisen students is please do not forget your Seisen values.  As the society becomes more self centered mainly due to social media, it is more important to think and care about others.  Showing kindness, supporting others and doing the right thing are part of having good character.  Most importantly, please thank your parents for choosing Seisen for you!

To the Seisen Parents, on behalf of Seisen Former Students’ Association (over 5,000 alumni), THANK YOU for all you do for the school which we love and miss so much.  As students, we watched our parents give time and monetary donations to the school.  We are grateful to our parents for working hard and choosing Seisen for us.  Please know that your children are learning by watching you and are grateful to you, too!