Intercultural Communication Center (ICC)Waseda University

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Just go for it! (KNUDSON Troy)

ssl_photo01KNUDSON Troy, The United States of America / Graduate School of Asia-Pacific Studies
ICC Student Staff Leader: May – October, 2007

If you’re thinking about a part-time job at the ICC as a Student Staff Leader (SSL), my advice is to go all in. Everyone who works there, staff and students, are all wonderfully nice, fun, and professional, the experience of the job is useful for your future, the events are fun, and it’s always interesting to learn new things about other cultures.

ssl_img01I started working at the ICC in late May 2007. Although all staff members are competent in English, I was the only native speaker at the time so I had the task of editing and livening up English advertisements and emails. I also had the more serious task of writing letters to university presidents in other countries and sometimes even wrote letters to country ambassadors. All of this comprised my duties in front of the computer and, in terms of my contribution to the ICC, was a major part of my job.

But before becoming a graduate student, I had already acquired some office experience working at a couple of companies in the US. Of course at the ICC, the computers and software are in Japanese, but the rhythm of office work there and at places I had worked before were quite similar. Personally, my benefit from working at the ICC was through my time spent away from the computer as an organizer and host of various events.

ssl_img02Let me mention that before working at the ICC, I had never needed to stand in front of a large number of people and speak into a microphone. So when the ICC asked me to host an event for the first time, I was really worried about how I would do. Surprisingly, after hosting a few events (English Hours, Friday Nites, etc.) and giving presentations about the ICC to Fulbright professors, spouses of university presidents, and nearly a thousand incoming freshmen, good public speaking skills became my trademark around the office. When I think about my quiet personality, this characteristic seems really ironic. But in just a few months, my duties at the ICC challenged what I thought I knew about myself and turned me into a more competent person.

Furthermore, with all the events that showcase different countries and regions, it’s hard not to enhance what you know about the world. One thing I always say in the beginning of my version of the ICC presentation is: “If you like learning about other cultures, you can find a rich environment at the ICC.” This is meant for potential ICC guests, but the same holds true for ICC employees. I know that all other ICC Student Staff Leaders would say the same thing.

So if you’re thinking about working part-time at the ICC, don’t think twice. Just go for it. Chances are, because you found your way to this page, you’re interested in other cultures, so you already know a way to contribute. And as you can see from my experience, you just might get good at something you think is your weakness.

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