JAPANESE Alumni
Kiernan Bauman
Major: BA Music Education and Composition, Minor in Japanese (2023); MA TESOL (2026)
Graduation: BA 2023; MA 2026
Why did you study Japanese language at WCU?
During the initial COVID lockdown of 2020, I decided that I wanted to pick up a new skill. I had always enjoyed Japanese music and movies, so I thought to give learning the language a try. I was hooked immediately and decided to pursue it more seriously, and so the very next semester I picked up the Japanese minor. The prospect of living in Japan became more enticing to me as I became more interested in the Japanese urban lifestyle, in the country’s art and culture. The idea of not only learning Japanese, but eventually using it to one day live there became a sincere desire of mine. I decided to put all my extra time and energy into studying the language while I finished my BA, and very graciously had the chance to study abroad in Tokyo for my last semester. This experience solidified in my mind that I wanted to return to Japan one day, and soon.
What have you done since graduating from WCU?
Upon finishing my BA, I decided I wanted to pursue an English teaching career as a means of moving to Japan. However, I wanted to get a serious education in English teaching in order to excel at such a job, so after taking one year off from graduating, I returned to WCU full time to begin an MA in teaching English to speakers of other languages (TESOL), while working part-time as a substitute teacher. In my final year I applied to the Japan Exchange and Teaching (JET) Programme and am very proud to say I was accepted. A few months thereafter, I was flown out to start my new life in Japan. Since then, I have been working full time as an assistant language teacher (ALT) in Kobe city, using the Japanese I’d spent so long studying in my everyday life.
Was studying Japanese beneficial to advancing your career?
Studying Japanese has completely changed my life. In December of 2019, I had every intention to become a band director, probably somewhere in small-town Pennsylvania; there wasn’t a single thought in my head of learning another language, let alone using it to move abroad. But from the moment I realized I had the capability to learn this language, my mental horizons broadened immensely. While it isn’t a requirement of the JET Programme to speak Japanese, I believe it was an asset for me in the hiring process to prove my dedication. It has also helped me connect with my Japanese colleagues and allowed me to help my fellow ALTs who don’t speak the language. In the future who knows what further doors will be opened up to me for having put the legwork in now.
Matthew Grapin
Major: Middle Grades Education
Graduation: Spring 26
Why did you study Japanese language at WCU?
I decided to study Japanese at WCU as a way for me to improve my Japanese ability as well as build connections with others interested in Japanese language and culture. When I first entered college, I had very little knowledge of the language, but after talking to people who were taking Japanese classes, participating in the Japanese club, and interacting with Japanese exchange students, I knew I wanted to study it more seriously. I enrolled in Japanese courses, and through what I learned inside and outside of class, I was able to improve my Japanese a lot.
What have you done since graduating from WCU?
After graduating from WCU, I came to work in Aichi, Japan as a Coordinator of International Relations (CIR) on the Japanese Exchange and Teaching (JET) Program. As a CIR, I work in the Multicultural Society＆International Affairs Division of my city’s City Hall, and am in charge of English translation and interpretation, as well as giving lectures at schools, planning events for the community, and holding English classes for employees at the City hall.
Was studying Japanese beneficial to advancing your career?
Studying Japanese was incredibly beneficial to advancing my career. Without being able to understand Japanese, I would not have been able to do my job or get the most out of my time in Japan. Studying Japanese opened so many pathways for me such as working in Japan, making lots of connections, and gaining valuable experience that I would otherwise not be able to get. As someone planning to continue working in the Japanese/international relations field, Japanese language ability is indispensable and I am very glad to have studied it.
Ben Liberatori
Major: Computer Science
Graduation: 2021
Why did you study Japanese language at WCU?
The comprehensive Japanese language courses offered here were one of my deciding factors for enrolling at WCU. I have had an interest in Japanese culture from a young age, but I had no substantial knowledge of the language itself prior to attending university, nor any idea of the best manner in which to go about learning it. I also wanted to potentially travel to Japan in the future, so I believed acquiring the relevant language skills would help me appreciate that experience more. I really enjoyed taking the introductory courses, and I discovered that studying the language also helped stimulate my desire to further my studies of the culture as well. Long story short, I liked studying Japanese so much at WCU that I eventually became an on-campus tutor and graduated with the associated minor by the end of it.
What have you done since graduating from WCU?
Since graduating from WCU, I was accepted into The Japan Exchange and Teaching (JET) Programme. I am currently in my second year of living in Japan, and I have been teaching English at a Japanese high school. In my free time I travel the country, and continue to deepen my studies of the language and culture. The language skills I gained during my time at WCU helped make this all possible, and greatly assisted with transitioning to life in a foreign country as well.
Eric Lundberg
Major: Linguistics
Graduation: May 2016
Why did you study Japanese language at WCU?
In high school I became interested in the Japanese language and culture. When I began searching for universities, I knew I wanted to pursue Japanese study and, at the time, WCU was the only school in the area that gave Japanese classes. And so, I chose to attend WCU with a goal of pursuing a science degree while taking Japanese classes on the side. Then by chance WCU began a study abroad program with a Japanese school in Tokyo, and I was able to join the program for a whole year. The experience was truly life changing and to this day I'm still glad I was able to become a part of it through WCU.
What have you done since graduating from WCU?
After graduation I was accepted into the Japanese Exchange and Teaching (JET) Program and taught English and foreign cultures in Kobe, Japan. After five years in Kobe, I left the JET Program and moved to Fukuoka for a change of pace. My hobbies lately have been drawing and biking. Fukuoka has a small but very friendly community of artists, and with the Japanese skills I learned from WCU I've been able to join events and meet so many different kinds of talented artists.