JUUL, Anna Maria
- JUUL, Anna Maria （Denmark）
- Enrollment in September 2014
- Study Plan：Culture & Communication
I really wanted to take a Master’s degree in Japan because of the benefits of being able to polish my Japanese at the same time. I looked at many universities but I felt Waseda was the place for me- luckily at that time GSICCS was born. After rewriting my proposal many times I applied and got in. My experience here has been more than welcoming, and also very familiar. The teachers are friendly and helpful, the office staff will give their best in helping you in any way, be it scholarships or getting adjusted to Japan. My co-students are from all over the world, but this does not make us strangers. We create bonds and get to learn each other’s opinions and ways of life. This is truly what communication is about. We have many races, religions, and all the continents represented here at GSICCS. The classes are about anything you can imagine, as long as it relates to communication and we are all researching very different topics so the seminar provides an insight into topics and ideas that you haven’t thought about before. GSICCS is truly a place of learning and since it is so new it keeps evolving and that is what I really enjoy to be a part of. I am so sad that I have to leave soon!
HSU, Doreen
- HSU, Doreen （America/Taiwan）
- Enrollment in September 2014
- Study Plan：Culture & Communication
After graduating college in California, I started working in marketing at Taiwan’s largest international hotel group. However, I needed further experience abroad, and my reasons for choosing GSICCS were simple: my academic interests in gender and cultural studies matched the program, I wanted experience in a country I’ve never lived in, and I was really attracted to Tokyo’s fashion/makeup trends and anime scene.
Since I was inspired by my job in Taiwan to study women’s careers and “office lady” (female clerks in Japan, and other parts of Asia) culture, I wanted to research with Professor Katsukata Keiko, who specializes in gender studies and Okinawan history. Professor Katsukata is so knowledgeable and kind, and I am so grateful to have her as my advisor.
I wasn’t expecting Waseda to be one of Japan’s most international universities, and GSICCS’ flexible study plan, seminars, and special events allows me to build connections with professors, industry leaders, and other fascinating people worldwide. Particularly, I love the small seminars with my advisor and classmates. My upperclassmen are kind and amazing scholars, and I love mentoring the lowerclassmen. As someone who enjoys research and socializing in diverse environments, I’ve found GSICCS to be a fantastic match.
Currently, I am writing my thesis on Japanese women’s career ambitions, and I plan to continue to GSICCS’ PhD track and become a professor in cultural studies. I am also a teaching assistant for Professor Katsukata’s undergraduate Gender Studies class, and a program assistant to Waseda’s Global Education Center. Outside of school, I enjoy working at a makeup store in one of Tokyo’s trendiest high-end areas, watching anime, and practicing shodõ (Chinese/Japanese calligraphy).
ISHIKURA, Airi
- ISHIKURA, Airi （Japan）
- Enrollment in April 2015
- Study Plan：Language & Communication
The main reason why I chose to study at GSICCS is that I considered studying interpretation studies at this school as the first step towards achieving my ambition which is to become an interpreter of Japanese and English. I believe studying under Professor Sato who has worked as a professional interpreter and acquiring the techniques and knowledge necessary for effective interpreting will help me fulfill my dream.
In Professor Sato’s seminar, we students investigate and analyze various factors which are essential for consecutive and simultaneous interpreting such as listening comprehension, note-taking, information processing and paraphrasing. Additionally, in each class, we develop our interpreting skills by engaging in actual interpreting training and exercises using real speeches. We use both English and Japanese speeches in order to develop the ability to interpret bilaterally.
After completing my master’s program, I hope to work as an interpreter who bridges the gap between people with different cultural and linguistic backgrounds and to facilitate effective communication in society. I aspire to engage myself in the work of interpreting in various fields such as international conferences and businesses, and to contribute to bringing together and promoting interaction between people with diverse backgrounds.
JUWONO, Angela Valentina
- JUWONO, Angela Valentina （Indonesia）
- Enrollment in April 2015
- Study Plan：Society & Communication
After I graduated from Parahyangan University in Bandung with a Bachelor of Accounting, I did an internship in a wellknown hospital in Jakarta. I decided to come to Japan to learn Japanese language and culture in Asia Bunka Kaikan (ABK) Japanese Language School in Tokyo for 2 years. While studying in ABK in July 2014, I attended the Waseda University Graduate School Information Session. During that time, I was looking for a field in International Communication and found GSICCS was related to what I want. I chose this field of study because I believe in the global economy that not only technical skills but communication skills also are very important. By studying in GSICCS, I want to improve my communication skills as well as my public relation skills.
My research plan is about the “Social-Media Impact on the Health Care Industry”. I want to research on how the health care industry and its businesses will develop, optimize profit and improve their services by using Social Media. I started developing an interest in this particular topic during my internship in the business development department.
Thanks to Professor Higuchi’s seminars, my presentation skills are improving and through lectures and self-directed learning, with the help and feedback from classmates, my knowledge is broadened. I am taking courses mainly taught by Professor Higuchi such as “Communication design”, “Economy and Communication” to widen my field of knowledge and at the same time, I am learning how to write a thesis by taking courses related to thesis writing.
After I finish the Master’s program in GSICCS, I am planning to find work experience in Japan to learn more about work ethic in Japan and hope to return to my country in the future to work as a business developer in the health care industry. I want to bring the best qualities of Japan and apply them in my home country. I hope that what I learned from GSICCS will help me equip myself to become a successful business developer in the future.
