Class: 2026
Concentration: Economics
House: Currier House
Hometown: Hsinchu, Taiwan
Favorite Japanese food: Tsukemen
Japan-related experiences: Summer language study at the Kyoto Consortium for Japanese Studies (KCJS)
What connections to Japan, if any, did you have before coming to Harvard? I am Taiwanese, so I've been to Japan a few times on vacation with my family before coming to college because the two countries are nearby. However, I didn't have any Japanese skills before coming to Harvard.
What drew you to Japan, and how did you decide on studying language abroad? Happy memories from vacation motivated me to study Japanese in college so that I can hopefully talk to locals next time I'm there. Studying language abroad was a continuation of my hope to engage in dialogue with Japanese people, and I think total immersion is the fastest way to internalize a language and use it in daily life. Studying language abroad not only expedites progress on learning new grammar structures and vocabulary but also solidifies language skills already learned from the past.
What was it like living in Kyoto this summer? Kyoto was great! I lived in a student dorm about 30 minutes away by train, so I commuted with workers every day on my way to class. I was impressed by how historically well-preserved Kyoto was; it was very common to see shrines and temples still up and running anywhere I went. Kyoto was the perfect place to experience Japanese traditional culture. I got to watch Gion Matsuri, one of the most famous festivals in Japan.
Please tell us about a typical day at KCJS. KCJS has 3 hours of class a week from 9 AM to 12 PM. Class time is split into three one-hour sessions, each focusing on grammar, reading comprehension, and dialogue with Japanese studies from Doshisha University. After class, my friends and I get lunch near the university or take the train to Kawaramachi, the shopping center of Kyoto, to look for popular places to eat. Sometimes, we will plan trips to touristy locations by train. On days with heavier materials, we go to cafes to study before heading back to our dorm for dinner.
What are some highlights from your summer? I went to Nanzenji Temple with a new friend I met through the KCJS program. The temple was beautiful, and I got to know her better (and practice my Japanese).
Was there something that surprised you about living and studying abroad? Navigating a different transportation system was surprisingly difficult at first for me. In Japan, there are several lines that run through the same stops, so my friends and I took some time to ask how to identify which ones our rail passes worked for. It was a fun process!
What advice do you have for others considering overseas study? Research fun things to do in the area before you go. Once work ramps up, it's tempting to sacrifice going out and exploring, but if you have a general sense of what there is to do, it's easier to find that work-life balance while studying overseas.
Do you plan to continue staying engaged with Japan while at Harvard? If so, how? Yes! After taking second year Japanese in Kyoto, I am taking third year Japanese at Harvard.