A Warm Welcome
I’m so glad you found your way here!
I created On Being Human as a space to explore what it means to be human—through everyday experiences, questions, and conversations. A place to share what I’m discovering along the way, in the hope of sparking your curiosity and learning from you, too.
About me
Hi, I’m Sayaka Tsuda, and pretty much everyone—from little kids to grandparents—calls me Saya.
Born and raised in Japan, I’ve been living in the U.S. for over 20 years and now call the greater Chicago area home.
I’m a mother of two children growing up across cultures, a lover of language and meaningful conversations, though often more at ease expressing myself through art and silent resonance than through words, and endlessly curious about the art of being human.
Living and working across cultures has deepened my curiosity about human connection and what becomes possible when we truly connect with ourselves and others. This curiosity inspires much of what I do.
I’ve also always been drawn to beauty in words, colors, and shapes, as well as clarity in thought and expression. This site is also a place for me to explore these interests and challenge myself to find my own ways of expressing them.
And I can’t wait to explore all of this with you!
What I Do
I run my own business specializing in Japanese-English interpretation and cross-cultural communication, helping people understand one another and connect authentically across languages, cultures, and perspectives.
My work draws on a wide range of professional and personal experiences—from over 15 years as a Japanese-English business interpreter and a background in corporate marketing and consumer research to my studies in psychology, teaching, art, and life across cultures.
One of the approaches that deeply influences my work is Nonviolent Communication (NVC, also known as Compassionate Communication), which I’ve been learning and practicing since 2012. As a certification candidate with the Center for Nonviolent Communication (CNVC) since 2023, I facilitate workshops, empathy circles, and learning communities in both English and Japanese. I also enjoy bringing movement and creativity into my work.
For business interpretation and communication consulting, you can learn more at Chicago Business Support.
Let’s Connect
I believe some of the most meaningful discoveries happen through connecting with others. I love new conversations, unexpected connections, and possibilities for learning and creating together.
If something you’ve read here resonates with you, you’re curious about exploring something together, or you simply feel like saying hello, I’d love to hear from you.
After all, being human isn’t something we do alone.
Feel free to reach out through the button below or email me at onbeinghuman.art@gmail.com!