Advanced Japanese, Kyoto, 2011

Senior, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, International Studies

From a friend who applied a few years ago

I am interested in a career through which I can promote the United States’ relations with foreign countries. Through studying Japanese language and culture, I can learn the most effective ways to continue international and cultural exchange between the two countries.

To communicate with all of my friends in Japan

I anticipate using the Japanese language in the future to establish and promote exchange programs between the United States and Japan

Yes! Before CLS orientation, I was not aware that there was a bureau within the federal government that deals with educational and cultural affairs (the Department of State Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs). I am now interested in working as a civil servant in order to promote international exchange.

Becoming friends with Japanese nationals and having the chance to talk openly and respectfully about cultural differences.

Take stereotypes about a country with a grain of salt. I thought all Japanese people are very polite and reserved, but there are plenty of ojiisan (grandfathers) in Kyoto who are quite vocal when they witness foreigners’ cultural faux pas!

One of my favorite moments from my CLS experience was experiencing dragnet fishing in Yamagata with my fellow program participants. After we struggled to pull a heavy net full of fish out of the sea, we had to clean and cook our catch in order to eat! I really felt a sense of team spirit, and through our mutual cooperation, we enjoyed a traditional Japanese cultural activity (and a delicious lunch!).

“Houkouonchi no hito” This means a person with no sense of direction. Getting lost in a foreign country is not necessarily a bad thing; it means we were out and about exploring!

I grew up in a small but diverse suburb of Chicago; hence my interest in all things international. I’ve studied abroad at least once each year since 2005, and I now work in my university’s study abroad office advising students who are interested in and preparing to study abroad. I have played the violin since the age of nine, and I find that music is a great way to connect with people and make new friends while abroad. One of the strangest things I learned about myself during my time abroad is my love for mud baths. I have been to mud baths in both Turkey and Israel!