In my second year at UVM, I started taking Japanese courses out of curiosity about learning a new language, but I never imagined that I would choose Japanese as a minor at that time. The more I studied Japanese, the more interest I developed. My study abroad experiences at Doshisha University in Kyoto and International Christian University in Tokyo deepened my curiosity about Japanese society and culture. It motivated me to learn even more Japanese so I could communicate better with native speakers. After graduation, I started my first job in Tokyo, working for a mobile insurance and tech company called Asurion. Working in Tokyo was a valuable experience that I will never forget. It was fantastic to work with Japanese colleagues every day and to experience the true culture of Japan, which I had only learned about through videos and books.

When I first started Japanese at UVM, I never imagined that I would be working in Tokyo after graduation. I am originally from South Korea and returned home after working in Tokyo for two years. Now, I am using the experiences and knowledge I gained at UVM and in Tokyo to work for my parents' company, GIB Co., Ltd. I travel to Japan, Germany, and France several times a year for business. It's amazing how the Japanese courses at UVM have had such a positive impact on my life.