Yumi Harusawa

A brush with death inspired Yumi Harusawa to re-evaluate her life.

As a friend battled breast cancer and she herself underwent surgery, Yumi looked back on her life and decided to make the most of her future.

"These things made me think about my life and re-evaluate," says Yumi, who is from Shizuoka in Japan.

"I had been a primary school teacher for many years. I enjoyed my work but for a long time I had dreamed of going overseas to live and work. I came to the realization that we only live once, so I decided to do it!"

Overseas travel had always been a passion for Yumi. As a teacher, she made the most of her annual holidays and travelled to 31 different countries.

"I don't particularly like package holidays I prefer to travel independently. But I did find it difficult because my English wasn't very good. That's one of the main reasons I wanted to live overseas, so I can improve my English in order to travel around the world and speak with people."

Last year she visited New Zealand for three months to see if it was the kind of place she'd like to stay long-term.

"I really enjoyed New Zealand life so I decided to come back and study. First I studied General English and then I did an IELTS preparation class. After that course finished I wanted to do something different. Someone recommended I come to FERN English Academy and study English for Hospitality. Because I love travelling, hospitality would be the perfect industry for me to work in."

Yumi has now nearly finished the three month NZQA-approved course. She's loved every minute of it and feels sad it's nearly over.

"I really enjoyed learning about customer service. We had a hotel visit and the receptionist taught us a lot about that and then showed us round the hotel rooms. I love drinking so I've also enjoyed learning about alcohol. I've learned how to make cocktails and also about wine, which has been good for me.

"After I finish this I'm going to do a two-and-a-half-day barista course at NZMA so that hopefully I'll be able to get a job in a caf�. I need to work...but I'm also interested in doing the six month NZMA Certificate in Hospitality and Employment Skills. I think that would help me get a better job. If possible I'd love to be a bartender, however my tutor has suggested I try and get a job in a hotel. She feels that front office would be a good position for me and I'd get to meet lots of different people. Eventually I'd like to experience a range of different roles within the industry."

It was a difficult decision leaving her career and her home country, but for Yumi it has been the right one.

"Sometimes I miss my friends and family and I also miss my job I love playing with children and being with children. But I'm very happy here. I live with my Kiwi partner in Devonport and take the ferry to school every day. I want to stay in New Zealand at the moment, but I must admit, I'm also curious about other countries! One day I really want to go to South Africa and the Middle East."

With Yumi's intrepid nature and her determination to live life to the full, she'll undoubtedly get there!