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).
