Experience Summary
I have always been interested in Japanese language and culture since I was in middle school. I enjoyed reading manga, watching anime, and playing video games, which introduced me to Japan in many ways. After entering college, I decided to start taking my studies of Japanese seriously. After a while, I discovered that I had a real knack for learning the language and then decided to do a travel study to see what Japan was like. I fell in love with the country, and made so many lifelong connections. I traveled to some of Tokyo's most well-known areas such as Yokohama, Kamakura, Akihabara, Shinjuku, and Ikebukuro. I even stayed in an onsen in Gifu prefecture, and got to sleep in a Ryokan (traditional Japanese inn).
After that, I worked at an internship for Japan America Society of Minnesota. I was able to work with a team on planning for the O-Bon Festival, which takes place every year in August. During my time, I had some exposure to Japanese cultural items such as the kamidana, a small shrine that is placed in homes. We also planned games for the event such as Kingyo Sukui and Yo-Yo Tsuri.
Not too long after my experience with JASM, I went back to Tokyo for a one-year study abroad. I lived in an international house with other students, and attended a school known as Toyo University. My roommate was Chinese, and we only spoke to each other in Japanese. I studied Japanese for an additional year, and got placed in the highest level for foreigners learning the Japanese language. I attended class every single day learning the more difficult components of the Japanese language such as kanji, writing essays, grammar, vocabulary, and doing presentations.
While abroad, I worked at an area known as the "English Community Zone." This was a part-time job offered to foreigners by the Toyo University staff. Although I assisted Japanese students with learning English, often times they would struggle and ask me to translate things into Japanese. Through these means, I was able to establish relationships where we could
After returning to Winona State for one more year, I created a Japan Club and led it as the club's president on my campus. I organized presentations about the things I learned while in Japan, and connected with the members of the club by telling them about my experiences and adventures abroad.
Teaching Style
I am a passionate and outgoing individual. I love making connections with people and helping them learn in a way that's fun and interactive. I expect students to be focused on the material they are learning, but I will also find ways to make the learning experience relatable and enjoyable. One of the ways I plan to accomplish this is by sharing my experiences while abroad in Tokyo. Based on real-world situations, the students will be expected to practice speaking and writing in Japanese. I typically have materials prepared beforehand, and depending on the student's needs or desires, I can plan something to accomodate them. I am very flexible and willing to help. I have a lot of patience and understanding. I am also encouraging and find ways to help students in areas where they struggle.
My Hobbies
My hobbies consist of playing tennis, playing music, reading, writing, playing video games, watching movies, and studying about the world.
Other Comments
If you are interested in learning about what it's like to live in Japan while learning about the Japanese language, I encourage you to select me as your Japanese tutor. I have a lot of experiences to share that are both entertaining and meaningful. For example, if you would like to know what it is like to live as a foreigner in Japan, I have a lot of stories to tell. I love not only learning the Japanese language, but also cultural things like customs, food, and history of Japan. I have studied Japanese literature and culture extensively and can answer almost any question you may have. Japanese is a difficult language, but it is a beautiful one. Even after returning to America, I still use Japanese regularly to communicate with friends abroad or even locally. Many Japanese people appreciate that you will take the time to learn their language, and so it is a great way to form relationships with many Japanese people.
| Japanese |
 This is one of my top subjects!
Proficiency: Experienced
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| I have studied Japanese for five years, graduating with a minor at Winona State University. I have traveled to Japan twice: once for a two-week travel study in Tokyo in May 2012, and then I returned to Tokyo for a study abroad in 2013. While abroad, I spent a lot of time learning the Japanese language inside out, using it as much as possible wherever I could and writing down notes such as new vocabulary, grammar points, and cultural habits that were unfamiliar to me. Furthermore, I attended class for the most advanced foreign Japanese speakers at Toyo University, and was selected to write and perform a formal speech in Japanese on behalf of my peers. These days, I regularly study my Japanese materials and assist students at WSU who are studying the language. I also have lots of contacts from Japan with whom I frequently practice Japanese. |
| Spanish |
This is one of my top subjects!
Proficiency: Experienced
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| I have been studying Spanish in an academic setting since I was in Middle School (2005). Since that time, I entered High School and studied it for three years, including two years in an honor program. After that, I entered college at Winona State University and earned a four-year degree in the Spanish language. While I have not studied abroad, I earned grades nothing short of exceptional with continually positive remarks and recommendations from my professors in regards to my proficiency. In addition, I spent at least an hour twice a week outside of class conversing with natives from Argentina and Peru in Spanish. Other than that, I spend time watching movies and dramas, listening to music, and reading books in Spanish. |