Oct. 6, 2009

RUSTON, La. -

Imagine moving to a country with very little knowledge of the native language. Also imagine leaving your family and the life you knew behind. Not only would new friendships need to be developed, but you would need to adjust to an unfamiliar life in unfamiliar surroundings.

Hikari Kurokawa experienced that transition just two years ago. Kurokawa, a native of Okayama, Japan, lived the first 21 years of her life in her native land. But after she lived with a host family in Canada during her junior year of high school, she was intrigued by the American life.

"After I lived in Canada for a short period of time, I had a chance to go to New York for a soccer camp with a Japanese team," Kurokawa said. "I played against American teams and began to consider attending college in the United States. The thought of living in another country and finding out how others live, really appealed to me."

To even start the transition of living in America was a challenge. To be accepted into LA Tech as a foreign student, the knowledge of the English language is a requirement.

Kurokawa was referred to coach Kevin Sherry, who was at Western Illinois at the time, by her coach in Japan and likewise, Sherry knew about Kurokawa from his eight years spent coaching in Japan. However, before she left for the states, Kurokawa got a phone call from Sherry telling her he was going to Louisiana Tech, but not to follow her to Ruston because he'd been advised that it was nearly impossible for her to get into Tech because of the English language requirements at the school.

"I remember her coach in Japan calling me and saying 'she ignored your advice and she's on a plane to Ruston.'" said Sherry who was the only person besides a Japanese player at Western Illinois that she knew before moving to America.

"Before I was accepted into Louisiana Tech, I needed to pass an English test," Kurokawa said. "Since I was unable to pass it due to the little English I had known at the time, I had to take several English classes for international students."

After seven months in the English as a Second Language program, she was accepted into Louisiana Tech. Even then she had to do a lot of work to change her major from Sports Science to Sociology.

"It's an amazing story of persistence and overcoming obstacles to achieve her goals," said Sherry, now in his third season at Tech. "She's had to make a lot of sacrifices and overcome a lot of obstacles, the biggest one being me when I told her not to come. I was advised that it was almost impossible. She took that almost as a challenge. It's something for all of us to gain inspiration from."

Once at Tech, the differences between America and Japan were vast. In America it's "hello" to strangers instead of silence, hugs instead of bows, grilled and fried foods instead of broiled and served with a healthy serving of vegetables. Even hard working waiters and waitresses were all apart of the new America culture.

"The restaurant system in America is different," Kurokawa said. "Waiters and waitresses work to earn tips here, but in Japan they don't work for money. We normally have to raise our hand or say 'excuse me' to get the waiter or waitresses attention."

However, being involved with the soccer team and around American for two years now has made Kurokawa more comfortable in her new environment. She attributes much of her transition to the English language to junior Kiva Gresham.

"It was kind of easy for me to transition to the American way," Kurokawa said. "With me being the only Japanese athlete on our team, I spend a lot of time with my teammates. They helped me get used to the way Americans live. I really think they have helped Americanize me."

In her first season with the Lady Techsters, Kurokawa scored two goals and had three assists. A WAC Player of the Week winner, she was named Academic All-WAC as part of the most improved team in the country in 2008. After going 2-14-1 in 2007, Tech had a 10-5-5 record last season.

Seeing the way Sherry has improved the program, Kurokawa would like to get into coaching and stay involved in the game that brought her a new experience.

"I want to attend grad school in the U.S," Kurokawa said. "I'd like to be a graduate assistant for Coach Sherry so I can learn how to coach. In the summer, I would like to play for a semi-pro league and possibly work my way into the women's professional soccer league."

Although living in the central part of America, if she were to leave the U.S., Kurokawa would miss the East and West coast the most. She's seen California and New York, most notably three musicals on Broadway.

"I'm definitely glad I came to America. I've met so many people since I arrived, and I'm really glad I have had the chance to meet people."