I came to UVM already having studied four years of Japanese at the high school level because I was eager to continue my language studies and branch out into studying Japanese culture, literature and history as well. In my high school classes I found myself really clicking with the process of learning and using Japanese, and a two-week exchange program made me certain that there wasn’t anything else I’d rather continue studying at the college level. I am so fortunate to have been taught by such passionate faculty and have had such varied opportunities to learn more about Japan beyond language at UVM—I particularly found that taking three history courses and four literature classes all covering diverse topics and time periods was both deeply gratifying personally and as well something I’ve realized is a rare opportunity for many undergraduate students. I also had the opportunity to incorporate my Japanese language and cultural studies into an honors thesis I completed senior year, which was the project I was proudest of in my time at UVM.
A year after graduating from UVM, I was accepted into the master’s program for Japanese Language and Literature at the University of Washington in Seattle, WA. Currently, I have completed one year of the program and have thoroughly enjoyed the chance to continue my studies and work alongside a cohort that is just as interested in research and applying our Japanese abilities to graduate-level coursework and projects. Graduate school has also provided me with another exceptionally fortunate opportunity: at the time of writing this, I am living in Yokohama, Japan participating in Stanford University’s Inter-University Center for Japanese Language Studies 10-month program. Although I am only halfway through, this has been an incredible opportunity for language and cultural immersion, as well as developing specific professional and academic skills that are not taught elsewhere. All of this, however, would’ve been impossible without my time at UVM as well as the immense kindness, expertise, and dedication of the Japanese department faculty.
