[Update June 2019: Sydney’s dream came true!] Sydney writes: When I previously wrote about my experiences with Japan I mentioned that I was applying for the JET program. I recently learned that I was accepted as a CIR (Coordinator for International Relations) and will be leaving for Japan once again in August. I’ll be placed […]
Welcome to the second Senpai Success Story, where you can read about others who have walked a unique career path using their Japanese language/cultural skills. If you have your own SSS to share, please read more here. (Psst: Senpai means “mentor” or “teacher,” and the concept is important to understand for anyone wishing to work
Senpai Success Story#2: Emily (Auto Industry Account Manager) Read More »
My father and high school Japanese studies teacher made me go to Japan for the first half of my senior year. … Or, at least that is how I remember it. I know I didn’t really have a desire to go, but I obediently agreed to their crazy idea because I was that kind of
Kikkake (or, what possessed me to start learning Japanese) Read More »
Since I started learning Japanese in high school, I have been fascinated with other language-learning stories. What makes people want to learn other languages? How do they get fluent? Why does someone want to live in a different country? Is it even possible to use foreign languages in a job? I don’t know why I
Learning Japanese and living in Japan made me a kinder person Read More »
The first time I did karaoke was in the fall of 1995. I was in high school in Japan, and we went to karaoke in our school uniforms. I was aghast at the thought of socializing in my uniform, I didn’t understand the songs that my friends sang, and I was mortified when I attempted
For the love of KARAOKE! Read More »
Let me preempt this by saying that I’m 40 years old and still don’t know what I want to be when I grow up. What does it mean, anyways? Here’s what I think about this question: There is no one answer. There is no right answer. Your answer can change over time. What age does
What do you want to be when you grow up? Read More »
Welcome to the first Senpai Success Story, where you can read about others who have walked a unique career path using their Japanese language/cultural skills. If you have your own SSS to share, please read more here. (Psst: Senpai means “mentor” or “teacher,” and the concept is important to understand for anyone wishing to work
Senpai Success Story #1: Ashlee (Bilingual Executive Assistant) Read More »
Global companies have been utilizing very skilled bilingual persons for quite a while now, and you may think that you could never be compared to those successful people. You may see the words “bilingual” in a job advertisement and think that you could never be considered as such. Students graduating from college and looking for
“Yes, I want a job using Japanese skills. But where do I start?” Read More »
Answer: “YES!” The college graduates I have interviewed in the past always amazed me with their Japanese language skills and/or knowledge of Japan. Some of you may be studying Japanese because it is fun or a neat class credit. Your family and friends probably ask you whether that major/minor even makes any sense for your
