"Language has been crucial for my career. Even for those positions where language skills were not required, having those skills gave me an edge over other applicants... I am continuing to improve and expand my language skills as I have seen how fluency in other languages can open doors and expand your career options."
Majors: International Studies and East Asian Studies
Languages: French and Japanese
Graduation Year: 2015
What motivated you to study this/these languages?
I started studying Japanese at university because I was looking to try out a different language and was interested in East Asia in particular. After just one semester, I fell in love with Japanese and continued studying the language until I graduated and spent a year studying abroad in Japan. As for French, I studied it a bit at first since I had already studied the language in middle school and high school.
What do you remember about your UW language classes? How were they different from other classes you took?
The classes were well-structured, and the professors and TAs were knowledgeable. I have since taken language classes at other universities and private language schools, but none of them compared to the quality of language education I received at UW.
How valuable were your out-of-classroom experiences? How did they add to your undergraduate experience/coursework?
Living in the Japanese house gave me more opportunities to use Japanese and learn about Japanese culture. We had regular meals together during which we only spoke in Japanese and we did other cultural events together. It was also great to get closer to other students who were studying Japanese.
My year of study abroad at Keio University in Tokyo was an invaluable experience and the reason why I returned to Japan to teach English after graduation. It is not an exaggeration to say that study abroad set the course for my post-graduation career and studies.
What have you done in a professional capacity since graduating from UW-Madison?
I taught English in Japan on the Chiba-Wisconsin program for four years. After that I worked for the Embassy of Japan as a Japan Exchange and Teaching Program Coordinator and for the Japan International Cooperation Agency as a Program Officer in Washington, DC. In 2023, I received my master’s degree in International Economic Policy from Sciences Po’s Paris School for International Affairs. I have also been working as a Program Coordinator for the non-profit Kizuna Across Cultures since January 2023. In addition to my work for KAC, I am currently doing an internship with the Office of the Director-General of UNESCO.
What are ways, either expected or unexpected, that your language study has benefited you in your career?
Language has been crucial for my career. Even for those positions where language skills were not required, having those skills gave me an edge over other applicants. In other cases, such as my internship with UNESCO, I would not have been qualified for the position without my language skills. I am continuing to improve and expand my language skills as I have seen how fluency in other languages can open doors and expand your career options.
How have you maintained or improved your language(s) since graduation?
I have engaged in independent study of Japanese since graduating and I have used my Japanese language skills for work. I also work with a private tutor to improve my spoken Japanese.
For French, I took French classes as a part of my master’s studies. I also use French daily at UNESCO where I frequently translate documents and speeches from French to English. I am also taking intensive French classes here in Paris to further improve my language skills.
What advice do you have for students who are studying language(s) about how to incorporate their interests and skills into their future goals?
Choosing the appropriate language is key. Since it can take years of dedication to reach professional proficiency in a language you want to make sure that those language skills will be applicable to what you want to do. Additionally, it is easier to stay motivated to keep studying if you are passionate about the language/culture and know that your language studies will help you on your desired career path.
Even if you don’t end up using your language skills professionally, you can still find ways to enrich your life through language by travelling to a country where the language is spoken, helping native speakers of said language learn English and/or adjust to life in the US, or by joining language interest groups in your community.