From High School Dropout to Award-Winning Scholar: The Inspiring Journey of Ryutaro “Rio” Ichihara
Ten years ago, Ryutaro “Rio” Ichihara made a decision that many in Japan would consider a dead end – he dropped out of high school. Feeling out of place in the culture and struggling with depression, Ichihara left behind his high school soccer program in pursuit of a dream to become a professional soccer player.
However, Ichihara’s journey took a different turn when he found himself in the United States at Cal State Fullerton in 2016. Starting off as a member of the men’s soccer team at CSUF, he later transitioned to playing for the Hornets at Fullerton College. Despite his success on the field, Ichihara began to feel burnt out after three years and decided to shift his focus towards academics.
With the support of kinesiology faculty members at CSUF, Ichihara discovered a new passion for education. He earned his bachelor’s degree in kinesiology and went on to pursue a master’s degree, all while working as a teaching associate at the university. His research interests led him to explore phenomenology and the perception of physical activity among individuals with disabilities, specifically cerebral palsy.
Ichihara’s thesis, titled “Towards True Inclusion: Developing a Phenomenology of Physical Activity with Cerebral Palsy,” received numerous accolades, including the university’s Giles T. Brown Thesis Excellence Award and recognition as the Alumni Association’s Outstanding Graduate Student. His success continued with wins in the Titan Grand Slam competition and recognition as one of the top 14 students in the California State University system.
Now, Ichihara plans to return to CSUF as a part-time lecturer in the kinesiology department and is exploring Ph.D. programs to further his research. He also remains dedicated to helping other international students navigate their own paths to success.
From dropping out of high school to becoming an award-winning scholar, Ichihara’s journey exemplifies the power of perseverance and the pursuit of one’s passion. As he looks ahead to the future, Ichihara continues to embody the Japanese concept of “ikigai,” finding purpose and meaning in his work and inspiring others to do the same.