I am a Nursing Major, but I knew going into college that I loved learning languages and wanted to try learning one totally different. So, I tried out Elementary Japanese and absolutely loved it! It’s such a tight-knit community (I met my best friend in that class!) and you get close to everyone who studies Japanese. The Japanese teachers are amazing and are here to support you throughout your learning. When my nursing classes made it difficult to take Japanese, my Japanese language teachers were so flexible, and they figured out a way for me to continue taking it! Through Japanese I got to meet many international exchange students and even became close with a lot of them. As part of class, we often talked with students from Tottori University, our language-exchange partner Suzuki-sensei organizes, which helped me improve my speaking skills and be able to make friends across the continents! Moreover, I had the chance to work on a project where I talked with another Nursing student at Tottori University, and learned a lot about how their nursing school and healthcare compares to ours! It was a great experience for me, and we still talk often. I’ve had so much fun with Japanese that I also got the chance to tutor in the subject, and I love working with students who are passionate about Japanese and want to learn more. Recently, I also gave a reading of Momotaro, a Japanese folklore tale, at an event held by the Japan America Society of Vermont (JASV), and was honored to receive an Appreciation Award. I was able to complete my Japanese minor at ÈÕº«ÎÞÂë and achieve conversational Japanese skills and expansive knowledge of Japanese culture. This allows me possibilities to potentially work abroad in Japan and connect with people in healthcare there, which is an avenue I’m excited to eventually take. I’ve loved participating in many Japanese-language extracurriculars; it’s been an amazing experience and I’m so glad that I could minor in Japanese.