Favorite Parts of Studying at UMU
I chose Mount Union because of its Japanese program, plentiful opportunities for studying abroad, and its appeal as a local liberal arts university close to my home. When I was still thinking about where to go, I received a message from the Japanese professor, Furuhata-sensei, telling me I should attend Mount. I felt that the personal touch from that message was a sign that campus had a warm community, and it became one of the deciding factors for choosing Mount. I was also mainly involved in the Japanese club and the Association of International Students, which repared me for a more globally-minded work environment and allowed me to connect with people from many cultures for the first time in my life and allowed me to further explore my interest in the Japanese language and culture and connect not just with other American students interested in Japan, but also with Japanese exchange students who were excited about sharing their culture with us.
Teaching in Japan
As an assistant language teacher with the JET Program, I've worked in Japanese junior and senior high schools and provided support to local English teachers with creating and conducting lessons, holding multi-cultural events, and moderating international exchanges with students from overseas. I spend most days teaching vocabulary and grammar, providing models for accurate pronunciation, and engaging with students through casual conversation and simple language games. My favorite things about my job are the connections I've made and the impact I've had on my students. Being able to see their English improve and the pride that shines in their eyes when they understand something right is really inspiring! Their success in learning and my success in teaching reflect each other, so any time one of my students has an "Ah ha!" type of moment, we're both equally excited. Also, lots of the students are quite polite and respectful, yet they're also funny and full of personality, so it's a real treat to teach them.