Ms. YAMASHITA, Katherine Linan
(Current GLFP student at Waseda, the University of Washington student)
My experience studying abroad in Japan, thus far, has been an incredibly enjoyable opportunity to learn about the language and culture, grow individually, and meet new people. Though I am currently a senior, the process of moving to a new country and starting from scratch reminded me of when I had just become a freshman three years ago. I’ve been able to harness that same excitement and nervousness to push myself to reach out to new people, explore the area, and reflect on my background as a Japanese-American. Though my Japanese skills are still lacking, immersion has been a great way to passively absorb the language, and both my father and I are excited for me to get this chance to connect with our family background. Furthermore, the generous contributions to the Waseda US Scholarship have given both me and my friends in the GLFP more financial liberty. With the lessened financial burden, we have been able to appreciate Japanese culture through traveling, trying new foods, and enjoying many other things that Tokyo has to offer. As cooking and food are some of my interests, I have been especially enjoying the chance to try various dishes and expand my knowledge about Japanese cuisine. Through the support of my family, the GLFP program, and the Waseda US Scholarship, I’m incredibly grateful I have been able to meet such wonderful people at Waseda University and for the chance to experience Japan with them.
