The ELI Student Spotlight series is designed to highlight students who demonstrate outstanding commitment and enthusiasm in ELI courses.


Yuki Kidani was nominated by the faculty of the 2026 Summer EAP Program for this ELI Student Spotlight.  Faculty praised Yuki for always being the first to volunteer for class activities.  He was eager to jump in and participate, encouraging his classmates to get out of their comfort zones as well.  Faculty were also impressed by Yuki’s commitment to learning.  He eagerly sought feedback from his instructors and peers, and used that feedback to propel his learning.  Congratulations, Yuki, on being recognized as an exceptional member of the 2026 Summer EAP Program!

Name: Yuki Kidani

Hometown: Tokyo

Country: Japan

Degree Program: Master’s in Business Administration

What motivated you to enroll in the Summer EAP program? Except for traveling abroad, I had spent all 30 years of my life in Japan. I was worried about whether I could make a meaningful contribution to the full time MBA program. I was also concerned about whether I could develop enough English skills to live in the United States with my wife and a year old baby. Former Summer EAP participants encouraged me to join the program, so I decided to enroll. I was nervous on the first day of orientation. However, the faculty and staff created a safe environment where it was okay to make mistakes. They also gave us many opportunities to get to know one another. Because of their support, I quickly felt comfortable in the program. I am truly grateful to them.

What did you enjoy most about the Summer EAP program? Why? I enjoyed every moment of the program. What I enjoyed most was spending time with my classmates outside the classroom. Meeting classmates who I would never have had the chance to become friends with if I had stayed in Japan was very special to me. We watched the World Cup together, went stand up paddleboarding on a river, and took a trip to Sleeping Bear Dunes. We had a wonderful time together. These friendships are something I will always value.

What did you find most valuable about your Summer EAP experience? Every part of the program was high quality and valuable. I learned useful speaking techniques and improved my pronunciation. Among all the activities, the capstone project at the end was the most practical and memorable experience for me. The topic itself was controversial, so our team discussions were always exciting. To move the discussion forward in a positive way, I needed to understand both what others were saying and what they wanted to communicate. I also needed to think carefully about how to express my own opinions. This was a great opportunity to practice what I had learned in class. For the presentation, we practiced not only by ourselves but also as a team. We gave each other feedback on our tone of voice, speaking pace, and gestures. I believe this experience improved our English skills and strengthened the bonds among our team members. I still clearly remember the wonderful sense of achievement I felt after we finished our presentation on the final day.

What advice would you give to incoming international students at U-M? International students may have many different concerns. You may worry that you will cause trouble if you cannot understand someone’s English. You may not be sure whether you are communicating your ideas clearly. You may also be afraid of making mistakes and feeling embarrassed. However, people at both the University of Michigan and in Ann Arbor are very kind. They respect diversity and each person’s individuality. The door is already open for you. It would be a shame to close that door yourself because of your worries. The EAP faculty and staff will give you the courage to take that first step. Keep moving forward, one step at a time, and enjoy the experience. Then, when you see someone else struggling, please reach out and help them.

What do you hope to do after graduating from U-M? I’m sponsored by my employer, so I will return to Japan after graduation. I hope to make full use of everything I have learned and experienced in the full time MBA program. I want to become a leader who manages large international business deals. I also want to focus on developing the next generation of leaders. While wearing Michigan gear, I hope to serve as an unofficial ambassador for Michigan and Ann Arbor. I want to show people that they are hidden gems in the United States.