2026.01.06
International Airline Department / Airline Department
Alumni interview
2025Years3After graduating from Osaka Foreign Language, Hotel and Airline College in , he joined ANA Narita Airport Services Co., Ltd.
The best part is that I get to experience the responsibility and satisfaction of supporting our customers' journeys every day. When working at the counter, unexpected things happen one after another, such as dealing with delays and baggage inquiries. The work is complex and difficult, but that's exactly why I feel so rewarded.
The ground staffThe first person to meet you at the airportSo, how I serve customers can make a big difference in the impression they have of their trip. When they leave the counter with a smile on their face or when they say "thank you" to me, I truly feel glad that I chose this job.
I still vividly remember the first time I stood behind the counter. The moment I put on the uniform I had always dreamed of wearing,"I really got into this job.'Even now, every time I put on the uniform, I feel a sense of determination, and it's an important moment for me to remember my original intentions.

"If I go to this school, even though I'm not good at English, I might be able to work in the airline industry."The biggest deciding factor was that I thought, "I want to study English." I had many opportunities to come into contact with English since I was in high school, and I liked English itself, butI feel uncomfortable speaking EnglishDuring the open campus I attended, I learned about the real experiences of my seniors and the atmosphere of the classes."Even if you're not good at English, if you put in the effort at this school you can definitely improve your English."I realized this.
What particularly attracted me wasThe Seattle study abroad program continued even during the COVID-19 pandemic., and carefully identify and develop each student's weaknesses.Detailed support systemI felt that this was an environment where I could grow in my own way, so I decided to enroll.
Before I left to study abroad, I worried about whether I would be able to keep up with the classes, what to do if I got sick, whether I would be able to survive in an environment where only English is spoken, and so on, the more anxious I became. However, once I arrived, my anxieties were quickly alleviated. My host family was very warm and there were children around my age, so I immediately felt at ease in the environment.
On my days off, I would go out with friends from overseas or go downtown by myself, and every day was fresh and exciting.
I especially felt that I had grownAfter about 2 to 3 monthsI was able to understand the conversations with my host family naturally, and I had more and more moments where I thought, "Ah, I understand!" As these small successes piled up, my fear of English began to change into confidence.
On the other hand, there was one unforgettable episode that was "a little difficult." On the way back from a trip to Los Angeles, I was on a bus heading to the hotel from Hollywood when the bus suddenly stopped moving and I was dropped off on a pitch-black street. What's more, my cell phone was out of battery and I had nothing to rely on. I had booked a hotel near the airport, so I had to walk in the dark relying only on the lights of landing planes, which is a thrilling memory that I can laugh about now.
Studying abroad is a time that allows me to grow as a person, with all the anxieties, surprises, and joys that come with it. Looking back, every day I spent in Seattle has become a treasure.
I was not very good at studying silently at a desk.Conversation and learningThis was the style we stuck to.
The first thing I did was to immediately imitate the English words I heard by speaking them out loud. I learned the words by their sounds first. I treated pronunciation and spelling as separate things, and then came up with my own way of memorizing them.
I also decided not to use a translation machine while studying abroad so as not to rely too much on Japanese.
Once I discovered this "study method that suited me," my English ability improved dramatically. I think it was more important to have the enjoyment of using English in my daily life than to study.

Yes. English isI use it a lot every day.
As I work at Narita Airport, where we have a large number of international customers, providing guidance in English is essential. I can handle everyday guidance and procedures such as check-in and directions smoothly without any problems in English. However, I still find it difficult to provide lengthy explanations when something irregular occurs, or to communicate in detail to help customers understand complex situations. I feel that this is an issue I will need to address in the future.
Still, I think one of the attractions of working at an airport is that by being in an environment where you use English every day, you naturally improve your practical English skills.
The airline industry is a wonderful job where you can meet many people every day and gain a lot of experience.If you have feelings of love, you can definitely move forward.It's okay if you're not good at English. Find a study method that suits you and work on it little by little. When you hit a wall, it's a chance to grow. If you keep working hard with a dream in mind, the path will surely open up. We wholeheartedly support your challenge!

The current major goal is toFurther improve your English skillsI would like to improve my listening skills and vocabulary so that I can respond more accurately and smoothly in my work.Responsibilities as a LeaderI am also conscious of this. I am still so focused on my own work that I sometimes lose sight of what is going on around me. That is why I believe that an important challenge for me right now is to have a broad perspective and become someone who can support my juniors.
Also, in the near futureGATEI will be in a position known as a controller. I will be playing a very important role in supporting the entire flight, including understanding each and every handling situation at the boarding gate, managing time, and coordinating with pilots and cabin crew. I am gradually preparing for the necessary training. I would like to improve my skills step by step so that I can bring the whole team together and give accurate instructions.

Hikari Isaka
Airline Department Lecturer/Ground Staff
He joined JAL Sky Osaka Co., Ltd. and worked as a ground staff at Itami Airport, handling VIP reception duties as well as various other duties. He also worked as a counter and gate manager and was involved in training new employees. From 2024, he will be seconded to our school as a ground staff instructor.
The classes I teach include ground staff practice and airlines in general. More than just a teacher, I will serve as a ``senior in the industry'' and convey the real voice that the industry is looking for.
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