Raik Kupfer
Teacher

Biography

 

How long have you been at IGS?
I’ve been at the IGS since August 2024

Which country are you from?
I’m from Germany

Do you have a favorite quote?
“If you're going to try, go all the way. Otherwise, don't even start. This could mean losing girlfriends, wives, relatives and maybe even your mind. It could mean not eating for three or four days. It could mean freezing on a park bench. It could mean jail. It could mean derision. It could mean mockery--isolation. Isolation is the gift. All the others are a test of your endurance, of how much you really want to do it. And, you'll do it, despite rejection and the worst odds. And it will be better than anything else you can imagine. If you're going to try, go all the way. There is no other feeling like that. You will be alone with the gods, and the nights will flame with fire. You will ride life straight to perfect laughter. It's the only good fight there is.” ― Charles Bukowski,

What is good teaching for you?
Good teaching brings students and teachers on the same wavelength. It's about having fun learning together, setting clear goals and encouraging each individual - all in a relaxed but motivating atmosphere.

What is it about your favorite city that fascinates you?
The most fascinating thing about Tokyo for me is the incredible contrast between tradition and modernity. One moment you can be walking through an ancient Shinto shrine, surrounded by peace and centuries-old trees, and the next you are standing in the middle of the neon lights of Shibuya, surrounded by the latest technology and vibrant city life. This mixture of past and future, coexisting so seamlessly, is what makes Tokyo unique and irresistibly fascinating for me.