Congratulations to our class of 2025! We are extremely proud of our graduates. As you can see from their profiles, the future definitely looks bright for these Badgers and the world!
On, Wisconsin!
Theo Bang
Theo Bang
BA (L&S) Linguistics and Spanish, with Certificate in Japanese Professional Communication
How did your interest in Asian studies begin: My interest in Japanese started back in Middle School, 7th grade if I remember correctly. We were celebrating Foreign Language Week in my Spanish class, and my teacher asked all of us to look into another foreign language from around the world, and maybe learn a few words or phrases, as just a fun little side task for us to do that week. Unsure of what to choose, I picked Japanese off a whim, because at the time, me, and my sister especially, were big fans of 美少女戦士セーラームーン, 初音ミク, ポケモン, and various other Japanese media. Thinking nothing of it, I started learning it at home, using LingoDeer, Duolingo (back when Duo was more crowdsource-y), and even 初級日本語げんき, because I wanted to actually say that I had learned at least something the next day in class, and lo and behold, little by little I started to fall in love with the language, continuing to study and use it up until now, and hopefully for many years to come.
Which courses were most impactful: My first class was 3rd Semester Japanese, and honestly the most impactful part about that was just finally learning the language in a classroom setting. Before I got to UW Madison, I was just self-studying Japanese at home, so I really didn’t have the ability to communicate with other people that often, and even though I was able to direct my studies through getting an online tutor, that isn’t the same as an actual classroom with other learners. So when I finally got here and saw how strong the Japanese classes were, and how amazing the professors, TAs, and fellow classmates are, I was overjoyed.
What advice would you give students: If something piques your interest, even if you’re not 100% about it, try it! I think so often we shy away from new experiences just because we think that we have to be committed to them 100% of the time, especially things like a complex as learning another language. Obviously you can be committed to something you love, but especially in an environment like this, where small risks, like taking a one off class here and there, aren’t the end all be all of your college career, there’s truly no point in at least trying, and seeing how it goes. And who knows, maybe you’ll fall in love with it too!
What activities were you involved with: I didn’t get too involved in that many orgs on campus, but that wasn’t because I didn’t want to, they all, unfortunately, often conflicted with my job, as a Barista, and so I was unable to attend as regularly as I hoped. However, that didn’t mean I wasn’t able to occasionally use the language outside of the classroom when customers came in and knew Japanese. Furthermore, when I was able to make it to 会話の会, it was really fun, and I wish I either went more often, or made more of an effort to schedule around it.
What memories will you hang onto: I can’t think of any one specific event, but I think the thing I hope to take with me into the future is the friendships I’ve made through my classes. I may be talkative and outgoing sometimes, but I really am not that social of a person at the end of the day, so being able to connect with people through learning a language like this is something I’m very proud of. It always makes me happy just seeing people I know from my classes wave in passing in the stairwell of Van Hise, or being able to talk with them before class starts, or as we walk to our next class. It’s moments like that, that really make the community stand out, in my opinion, as a very open and friendly community.
Future goals: At the moment, I don’t have very concrete plans for post-graduation, but one thing that I know needs to happen sooner rather than later, is me actually going to Japan! When I was picking my internship that I did the summer before my senior year, I had to decide between Japan or Spain, and based on deadlines for things, I had to go to Spain. While I adored Madrid, and fully intend to go back someday, maybe even live and work there, before I do that, I feel like I need to go to Japan, because while self-study, and classroom-study are one thing, actually using the language with native speakers, is completely different, but at the same time validating in the sense that you can really see your language skills, and confidence grow in real time as you spend time using the language on a daily basis. I hope that wherever the world takes me, Japan is on that list, be it for a couple week, or a couple years.
Stay in Touch: LinkedIn
Juliana Bergman
Juliana Bergman
BA (L&S) Chinese Major, with Certificates in Social Justice Education, Education & Educational Services, and Gender & Women’s Studies
How did your interest in Asian studies begin: In high school, I took a Chinese language class, and my passion for learning the language gradually began to grow. When thinking about a career path, I knew I wanted to continue learning Chinese, but I knew I also always wanted to become a teacher. I decided to combine my two passions, now on the path to becoming a high school Chinese teacher through ALC!
Which courses were most impactful: My first class in ALC was 3rd-semester Chinese. It is still one of my favorite classes to this day! This class was very impactful because it really launched my learning of the Chinese language, and I finally started seeing some drastic improvements in my language skills. I was so excited to be growing my knowledge and getting closer to achieving my goals!
What advice would you give students: Just go for it! You will absolutely not regret it. Growing my language skills and intercultural knowledge has been central to my life and has made me a better person. Whether you are pursuing a major or a certificate in the ALC department, it will add so much to your life, not just in terms of your career prospects! It really enriches and enhances your life in so many ways!
What activities were you involved with: I was involved with quite a bit on campus! I am a member and captain of the UW-Madison women’s bowling team, a member of the Chinese Language and Culture Club, and a member of Aspiring Educators. I also work as a program assistant for the International Learning Community on campus.
What memories will you hang onto: One memory that I will take with me from being a part of the UW-Madison ALC Chinese community is growing alongside my Chinese learning peers and taking that knowledge with me to study abroad in Taiwan. My experiences studying abroad in my field of study were a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, something I will never forget! It has changed me for the better in so many ways, beyond just improving my language skills!
Future goals: This upcoming year, I will be pursuing my master’s degree in Secondary World Language Education, which will allow me to achieve my dreams of becoming a Chinese teacher! Teaching others is a great passion and life purpose of mine, and I am very excited to share my Chinese knowledge with students to enrich their lives!
Olivia Crofton
Olivia Crofton
BA (School of Education) Health Promotion and Health Equity Major, with Certificates in Global Health and Chinese Professional Communication.
How did your interest in Asian studies begin: With my mother being an immigrant from China, much of my childhood was made of weekend trips to Chinatown, vacations to her hometown, Guangzhou, and communicating with my Chinese family members. I started taking Mandarin in high-school to be able to share another language with my mother, and knew I wanted to continue advancing my Mandarin into undergrad.
Which courses were most impactful: My first class was 1st semester Chinese, which I took my sophomore year. The intensity of a language class that was every day of the week was something that surprised me, but also let me know that I really wanted to pursue a certificate in Chinese, which is something that I’m proud to say I accomplished!
What advice would you give students: Attend events for the major that interests to get to know the faces you will eventually become familiar to! Pursuing a major or certificate in the ALC department means that you’ll get to know your peers and faculty very well, whether that be due to having an ALC class 5 times a week or running into them in Van Hise.
What activities were you involved with: Attending CLACC events have been a fun and enriching experience that not only allowed me to get to know my peers and the Chinese community at Madison a little better, but to also immerse myself in the language and do real world practice.
What memories will you hang onto: My semester Chinese language classes, from 1st semester to 6th, will forever hold a place in my heart! I’ve had so much fun practicing speaking with class partners, doing skits and presentations, and just seeing so many familiar faces everyday! But I think a funny memory that’ll stick with me is getting stuck in the Gordon’s basement during the CLACC banquet with my 302 instructors, Hou Laoshi and Zhao Laoshi.
Future goals: I’m currently taking a gap year before applying to a Masters of Public Health, hopefully abroad. As for my Mandarin-related plans, I plan to visit China more often with my mother to see family and practice my speaking skills! Looking ahead, a future goal of mine is to take some time off from my career to live in China for a couple months to study Chinese medicine, and to visit Jingdezhen to learn from the ceramics masters there.
Stay in Touch: LinkedIn
Chase Finnegan
Chase Finnegan
BA (L&S) Linguistics Major with Certificates in History and Japanese Professional Communication
How did your interest in Asian studies begin: I already had varied ability in a few Asian languages and my partner recommended I get a Japanese certificate for career opportunities.
Which courses were most impactful: 5th Semester Japanese with Geyer-Sensei. The kindness and talent of the students and faculty.
What advice would you give students: Prepare to make many flashcards.
What activities were you involved with: I enjoyed discussing language learning methods and experiences with other students.
What memories will you hang onto: I was always impressed with the talents of my classmates and teachers.
Future goals: I would like to learn languages and travel or live abroad.
Carmen Fleming
Carmen Fleming
BS (L&S), Japanese and Chemistry Major(s), with Certificate in East Asian Studies
How did your interest in Asian studies begin: I started studying Japanese during the pandemic and I fell in love with the language and culture. When I entered college, I knew I wanted to at least try and double major in Japanese and Chemistry.
Which courses were most impactful: The first class I took was first semester Japanese. I had done some studying before taking that class but the main thing that stood out to me was how much work it is to learn a language. I gained a lot of respect for language learners across the world because of it.
What advice would you give students: Do it! There are so many fun classes that you would never imagine you could take if you weren’t in the ALC department.
What activities were you involved with: One experience in particular was when I volunteered for the ICJLE conference in Madison. It was a big test of my Japanese communication skills and it helped set me up for my time studying in Japan.
What memories will you hang onto: One of my favorite memories in the ALC department was studying abroad with my fellow UW-Madison students. It was an opportunity of a lifetime and I learned so much. The food was amazing too.
Future goals: I hope to keep learning languages outside of East Asian languages so I can use them in my chemistry career to communicate and collaborate with scientists around the world.
Stay in touch: LinkedIn
Ella Hoffmann
Ella Hoffmann
BA (L&S) Japanese, Political Science Major(s), with Certificate in East Asian Studies
How did your interest in Asian studies begin: I got interested in studying Japanese when I participated in a summer camp at Concordia University Wisconsin, where students from Ehime Prefecture, Japan, came to Wisconsin to learn English and explore the state. I began self-studying Japanese in middle school and took classes at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee in high school. I always wanted to study at UW-Madison due to the size of its Asian Languages & Cultures department.
Which courses were most impactful: The first class that I remember was fourth-semester Japanese. Although it took a while to get used to the 5 classes a week schedule, I had a lot of fun meeting other students who were studying Japanese! Getting to know the teachers and faculty was also fun, and they all inspired me to do my best.
What advice would you give students: Double major! A lot of ALC courses fit well into other major requirements, such as political science. You can complete a lot of humanities and literature credits through ALC courses, especially through elementary courses.
What activities were you involved with: I was a peer mentor for the ALC for a year, and I got to attend events and table for the department. Meeting other students interested in the ALC was very impactful, and learning about other peers’ interests in studying Asian languages helped me learn more about other languages and cultures. This year, I was fortunate enough to intern for the ALC. Meeting with other peers and discussing the ALC department helped us generate more ideas for student engagement. Visiting lectures to talk about the ALC allowed me to meet professors outside of the Japanese program and helped me learn about the advising process at the ALC! I also volunteered at Madison East High School, tutoring Japanese, which was super fun! I recommend checking out Badger Volunteers and checking out the volunteering opportunities they offer in the local community.
What memories will you hang onto: One of my favorite memories was studying abroad in Japan. I was fortunate enough to study abroad with the freshman summer launch program in Kyoto in 2023. Some of my closest friends on campus are from that program, and meeting other students who are interested in studying languages and cultures was super fun! Studying abroad solidified my interest in cultural exchange and language learning, and I am forever grateful for our amazing study abroad programs.
Future goals: I hope to teach English in Japan after I graduate! I would love to obtain a TESOL certificate and continue my studies in Japanese or political science in grad school. I would love to be an advisor, work at a consulate/embassy, or teach Japanese!
Stay in touch: LinkedIn
Nicholas Kaminski
Nicholas Kaminski
BA (L&S) Japanese Major, with Certificates in East Asian Studies and Teaching Language as a Second Language
How did your interest in Asian studies begin: I was super motivated in my Japanese language classes in high school, so I knew I wanted to continue studying Japanese in college. I was hoping to go into a Japanese-related career. Continuing Japanese in college helped me to further develop my language skills and apply what I had already learned.
Which courses were most impactful: The first class I took in ALC was 3rd Semester Japanese. The most impactful class was Asian563, Readings in Modern Japanese Literature with Dr. Ridgely, which I took my final semester. It was great to be in an environment with fellow Japanese major/certificate students, and read/discuss novels in that tight-knit class environment.
What advice would you give students: Find another major or certificate to pair with your studies in ALC. Being able to apply your studied language in your future career is a good skill to have, and doing additional majors/certificates broadens your opportunities.
What activities were you involved with: I was involved with Dining and Culinary Services as a shift lead, and also had teaching experiences through my TESOL certificate. I occasionally went to Kaiwa no Kai (Japanese conversation circle) to practice my oral Japanese.
What memories will you hang onto: My favorite memory being in ALC/Japanese community is the friends I made in my classes. It made it more fun to take classes together with the same people I had gotten to know in previous classes/semesters.
Future goals: I hope to be involved with Japan in some way and be able to use Japanese in my future career, whatever that may look like– hopefully being able to teach English in Japan at some point. I want to remain connected to Japan, and find meaningful uses for my Japanese language skills.
Stay in touch: LinkedIn
Chelone Rio Laws
Chelone Rio Laws
BS (L&S) Japanese and Atmospheric & Oceanic Science Majors
How did your interest in Asian studies begin: I started watching anime in middle school, which lead to my interest in studying Japanese in high school. My high school studies only furthered my passion for learning, and my curiosity for the culture and people grew, making me sure I wanted to continue studying into college. This then blossomed into the major I declared in Japanese.
Which courses were most impactful: My first class in the department was second semester Elementary Japanese, which was my first foray back into Japanese language study after a gap in my senior year of high school due to AP Japanese not being offered. It was so nice being back in the mistake-positive mindset of language study, and getting to work towards my goals in the language!
What advice would you give students: Learning about the culture and history of people across the world is such an important skill for living in a multicultural world. The ALC department has a plethora of options to choose from, all which will open you up to opportunities to better empathize and communicate with those similar and different from yourself.
What activities were you involved with: POSSE Scholar, KASPER Dance Crew, International Learning Community (Japanese House), Wisconsin International Scholars Program, VIVID Dance Crew, Center for Academic Excellence Academic Tutor, Phi Beta Kappa Member
What memories will you hang onto: While studying abroad as part of the Nanzan University Exchange, I got to travel to Kochi with my host mom! I’ve wanted to go there since high school, so getting the chance to was a full circle moment for me. Getting to try their specialty bonito and ice kurin was such a treat!
Future goals: I will be starting a M.S. in Atmospheric Science and Meteorology in the fall at Penn State. I hope to continue into a meteorology career where I can capitalize on my Japanese skills in a collaborative fashion!
Monyka Lee
Monyka Lee
BBA (School of Business) Marketing and Information Systems major(s), with certificate in Chinese Professional Communication
How did your interest in Asian studies begin: My interest in studying Mandarin Chinese grew after taking Chinese classes throughout elementary, middle, and high school. What truly sealed in that interest for me is when I had started to date my boyfriend (now fiancé)!
Which courses were most impactful: The first class that I remember in the ALC department was Fifth Semester Chinese (ASIALANG 301) because that class was one of my favorite classes freshman year, and it drove me to continue studying Chinese in college. The most impactful class was Chinese Art in Later Periods (Art History 308) because I enjoyed learning about the rich history of Chinese culture on the arts side.
What advice would you give students: Get out of your comfort zone! Some of the best college experiences come from trying things you didn’t expect.
What activities were you involved with: CeO Scholar, SEASA (South East Asian Student Association), MaiDiXunSheng Chinese Choir, AI Club
What memories will you hang onto: Not a specific memory, but I truly enjoyed being able to practice Chinese orally not only in class, but also with my partner, peers, and friends!
Future goals:Career-wise, I’ll be working in a marketing role at a financial planning firm in Madison, WI. In the future, I hope to travel more, especially across China, exploring both major cities and lesser-known towns. A big part of that for me is food, I want to experience regional cuisines, try local dishes, and understand culture through what people eat. I’ve already had the chance to visit places like Shanghai, Beijing, Zhangjiagang (Jiangsu province), Nanjing (Jiangsu province), Nanchang (Jiangxi province), Gao’an (Jiangxi province), and Jingdezhen (Jiangxi province), and I’m excited to keep exploring new places, new flavors, and new perspectives over time.
Stay in touch: LinkedIn
Christine Liang
Christine Liang
BA (L&S) Chinese and Communication Arts Majors, with Certificates in East Asian Studies and Gender & Women’s Studies
How did your interest in Asian studies begin: Growing up, I often wanted to learn Mandarin in my Cantonese-speaking household. When I got the opportunity to do at UW-Madison, I got pretty excited!
Which courses were most impactful: ASIALANG 101: What made it so impactful was how open and fun the class was. Professors and TAs do their best to teach students and make it enjoyable since it is often hard to learn a new language, especially with the tones.
What advice would you give students: It’s okay to struggle; the professors and TAs understand you are trying your hardest not only to speak, but also to read, write, and translate. Always take it one step at a time! While I continue to struggle a lot, what matters the most is the effort you put in and asking for help when you need it.
What activities were you involved with: AASU (Asian American Student Union)
What memories will you hang onto: It was definitely helpful to see Wang Laoshi during her office hours; she helped me understand the mistakes I often made in the first and second semesters in class. With her help, I was better able to prepare myself for quizzes and exams.
Future goals: While they are still unknown, I hope to aim for a corporate communication job, continue learning Mandarin Chinese and Cantonese Chinese, and help bridge communication gaps!
Stay in Touch: LinkedIn
Xining Liu
Xining Liu
BA (L&S), English and Linguistics Major(s), with Certificate in Japanese Professional Communication
How did your interest in Asian studies begin: I was interested in studying Japanese because I was interested in Japanese pop culture such as anime and film.
Which courses were most impactful: I remember taking first semester Japanese with Professor Nakakubo. She is the kindest and most responsible instructor I know.
What advice would you give students: Be sure to check out the literature classes offered by the ALC, they are amazing.
What activities were you involved with: I was a member of the Anime Club, and I volunteered as a Chinese tutor and Japanese peer tutor with UW-language connect.
What memories will you hang onto: A memory that I will take with me from being a part of the Japanese Studies community is the conversation table every Friday.
Future goals: I hope to pursue a PhD in English literature, but I also hope that I could teach Japanese in the future.
Stay in touch: LinkedIn
Emma Marshall
Emma Marshall
BA (L&S), Asian Languages & Cultures, Linguistics Major(s) with Certificate in Chinese Professional Communication
How did your interest in Asian studies begin: Growing up, the majority of my close friends and/or their parents were from Asia, and as I got older I not only became more interested in their individual stories and cultures, but also the sociocultural and linguistic environments back in their home countries, which ultimately led me to where I am today.
Which courses were most impactful: The first class I ever took was ASIAN 100: Counterculture in Asia, but my most impactful class was by far ASIALANG 475: Medical Chinese
What advice would you give students: Do not stay in a bubble! Branch out and take classes relating to all aspects of the major, including languages, histories, politics, etc. across East, South, and Southeast Asia in order to take advantage of the diverse array of courses we offer!
What activities were you involved with: Dancing with VSA Traditional and VSA Modern, SEASSI summer classes, studying abroad in Vientiane, Laos, interning at NelNet, working at SafeWalk, ALC peer mentorship, volunteering with the Madison Children’s Museum, volunteering with the Madison Literacy Network
What memories will you hang onto: Probably spending the afternoon with my Lao class, using Lao language recipes to cook a meal of laab, mok ba, papaya salad, and mango sticky rice for both ourselves and a few of our ALC staff.
Future goals: In the fall, I will be going back to school for a masters in Translation & Interpretation specializing in Chinese and Lao, but after that I hope to either become a medical interpreter, or go back to school and use my translation skills in working towards earning a PhD.
Stay in touch: LinkedIn
Lyla Milkowski
Lyla Milkowski
BS (L&S), Biology Major with Certificates in Global Health and Chinese Professional Communication
How did your interest in Asian studies begin: I studied Chinese in high school and I love it.
Which courses were most impactful: Second semester Chinese was my first class and Chinese conversation was the most impactful!
What advice would you give students: Do it. I’ve never met a more dedicated group of professors and I’ve grown so much as a person studying Chinese.
What activities were you involved with: AED which is a pre med club.
What memories will you hang onto: Hugging 王老师 at the end of my last class as a college student.
Future goals: To become a doctor and use language to reach more communities.
Stay in touch: LinkedIn
Liam Oenick
Liam Oenick
BS (College of Agriculture & Life Science), Biology with additional major in Japanese
How did your interest in Asian studies begin: I started studying Japanese in middle school, and I liked it well enough to keep going.
Which courses were most impactful: I took 1st semester Japanese here at UW my senior year of high school, commuting between both schools. I mostly remember the abhorrent parking situation, but that class was my first introduction to being a college student and the reason I wanted to attend UW Madison.
What advice would you give students: Take advantage of office hours and conversation/study groups; the more you use your language skills, the better.
What activities were you involved with: I volunteered to tutor at Madison East and Madison West high school, and volunteered to help with an elementary after-school science education program through the Morgridge Institute. I did a semester of Kendo club, lived and worked in the International Learning Community and Nihongo Hausu, attended 会話の会 (Kaiwa no Kai)/the Japanese conversation table, and enjoyed attending some of the JSA events.
What memories will you hang onto: I did an 11 week research internship/Study Abroad Program in Obihiro, Japan, assisting with research regarding chicken genetics and breeding. The program was through CALS, but I feel I was able to get more out of it than my non-Japanese speaking peers. Language helps build connection, and that’s part of why I love it.
The Japanese major is significantly smaller than my Biology major, and so I get to have more repeated teachers and classmates. Getting to know the same people over multiple semesters has helped build a sense of community that I will miss after graduating.
Future goals: I will be working with the JET Program to teach English in Japan starting in August! After a few years working in Japan to gain practical education experience and improve my proficiency in Japanese, I plan to return to UW to get a masters degree in Education/Curriculum and Instruction.
Stay in touch: LinkedIn
Dutch Robinson
Dutch Robinson
BA (L&S), Political Science Major, with Certificates in Chinese Professional Communication and Dance
How did your interest in Asian studies begin: I took Chinese in high school, and I wanted to continue!
Which courses were most impactful: The first class I took was 3rd semester Chinese my freshman year, which was a really fun intro to the department! The most impactful class I took was Chinese film which I took last semester, and it was one of my favorite classes I’ve ever taken!
What advice would you give students: Definitely give it a shot, because learning another language or learning about different cultures is so rewarding!
What activities were you involved with: I had the opportunity to take a Taiji class with dance professor Jinwen Yu, which was a cool way to tie in my dance certificate and Chinese language learning experience!
What memories will you hang onto: Having the opportunity to study abroad in Taiwan, and all the people who helped me along the way.
Future goals: I’m actually going to live in Taiwan next year teaching English, and hopefully improving on my Chinese language learning skills!
Stay in touch: LinkedIn
Jack Rogers
Jack Rogers
BA (L&S), Chinese and Political Science Major(s), with Certificates in East Asian Studies
How did your interest in Asian studies begin: Coming into college, I knew I wanted to build on the little foundation I had of high school-level Chinese. However, the more I studied, the more I became obsessed with the language and area studies. What started out as an effort to fulfill degree requirements became an intense passion after just a couple of ALC courses.
Which courses were most impactful: My most impactful class was Modern Chinese Film with Professor Detwyler. Escaping into the world of cinema for a few hours every Thursday was magical and the power of film analysis really helped me view Chinese art and society through a completely new and novel dimension. Another one of my favorite classes was Urdu with Dr. Asif. He was fantastic with fostering my curiosity and never failed to bring his own energy and passion into the classroom, making for an awesome learning environment in and out of the class!
What advice would you give students: If you have room in your schedule, take the opportunity to explore new courses and languages! Build on your classroom experience by finding language partners, making friends with international students, and joining student organizations.
What activities were you involved with: I was an editor at The Badger Herald, a member of the Wisconsin International Scholars Program, interned in Seoul at an NGO, and worked all four years at Rheta’s Dining Hall.
What memories will you hang onto: Last semester, Dr. Asif invited all of the Urdu and Hindi students over to his house to eat delicious South Asian food. I ate so much I nearly became sick, but recovered enough to play a group game of cricket outside at a park!
Future goals: Following my graduate studies at Peking University, I aim to enter the U.S. Foreign Service. My goal is to use the cultural and language skills I gained at UW to help find peaceful diplomatic solutions to international challenges.
Stay in touch: LinkedIn
Sophia Schultz
Sophia Schultz
BS (School of Human Ecology), Japanese and Consumer Behavior & Marketplace Studies, with Certificates in Entrepreneurship and Environmental Studies
How did your interest in Asian studies begin: I’ve always enjoyed learning languages, and my interest in Japanese was also influenced by my mom, who studied it herself. I’m interested in international business, so learning Japanese felt like a meaningful and practical choice. More broadly, I’ve always been curious about different cultures, and I really enjoy being part of a classroom community that explores literature, language, and cultural topics together.
Which courses were most impactful: My first classes were First Semester Japanese and Asia Enchanted. Before that, I hadn’t really explored different Asian cultures in depth, so it felt both intimidating and really alluring at the same time. But that mix is what drew me in. I ended up really enjoying the challenge of learning a completely new language system, along with diving deeper into the histories and religions of a region.
What advice would you give students: There are so many unique and interesting classes, and the faculty I’ve had have been incredibly engaging and fun. I definitely recommend exploring the course offerings early on. You might consider starting with a certificate during your freshman or sophomore year, and if you find that you really enjoy it, you can always transition into a major later. That’s what I did, I started with a Japanese certificate and ended up declaring it as a major in my senior year, even while completing another major and two additional certificates.
What activities were you involved with: I’m involved in a variety of extracurriculars that support both my academic and personal interests. In the past when I’m not working, I occasionally attended Japanese conversation tables to get extra language practice. I’m also part of student magazines, which combine my interests in art, music, and journalism while allowing me to develop skills in design, Photoshop, writing, and content creation. In addition, I table at events to sell my handcrafted goods, which allows me to pursue my entrepreneurial interests and turn my hobbies into something more meaningful. Within my consumer science department, I’ve participated in faculty-led trade shows and conventions, as well as design dashes and case competitions. These experiences have given me valuable exposure and helped me explore potential career paths in the industry.
What memories will you hang onto: I don’t have one specific memory, but what stands out most to me are the conversations and connections I made through my Japanese classes. It was really meaningful to build new friendships each semester and spend time together outside of class. Whether it was preparing for oral exams, making plans to watch anime together, or going to club events, those shared experiences felt wholesome and memorable, and they’ve stuck with me.
Future goals: I hope to create my own business or brand where I can incorporate my sustainable values and artistic vision. After my internship in Tokyo, I plan to work in Japan or for an international company, gaining experience in a global setting. In the long term, I’m interested in pursuing graduate school in consumer research or marketing. And, of course, I also aspire to be a crazy cat lady.
Stay in touch: LinkedIn
Payton Smith
Payton Smith
BS (Engineering), Computer Engineering, Computer Sciences Major(s) with Certificates in Japanese Professional Communication and International Engineering
How did your interest in Asian studies begin: My friends in high school got me into anime; from there I became interested in culture, history, and eventually the language. I have been studying for 5 years now and even had an internship in Japan and it was a great experience.
Which courses were most impactful: The first class I took was first semester Japanese, my first semester. The most impactful thing was how well the courses are structured compared to my high school language experience. In high school we would get new vocab sets every unit, but we would continually use the same few verbs to learn that unit’s conjugations. In Japanese, every unit uses that unit’s vocab for teaching the grammar, so it forces you to retain the words long term which never happened in my high school language experience. I also really remembering how easy it felt to fail. Everyone was there to learn, and everyone would laugh at each others funny mistakes and as you make it to higher levels, you see the same people and become like a little family.
What advice would you give students: If you have the space, absolutely send it! I think it is unlikely you will regret learning a language. It helps with all the soft skills employers are looking for, and you will learn to speak another language. I can say however, you might regret not taking it. So why not at least take one and see if you like it or not. I can promise you it is a lot easier to drop and say you tried and didn’t like it than it is try realizing you wish you tried.
What activities were you involved with: I went to Kaiwa No Kai whenever I had the chance (sadly not very often as I am an Engineering double major with a certificate in Japanese Language). I also was a part of BSR (Badger Solar Racing) and worked on the Low Voltage team. Outside of that, I worked a few hours a week for the University as a student maintenance team member. I’d say, do all the things you want to, again, it is a lot easier to free things off your plate than regret not trying something.
What memories will you hang onto: I genuinely have so many that I cannot pick one. The main thing that I will carry with me into the future is the bonds I shared with all of my classmates and my amazing professors. I can genuinely say I hope to meet them again one day and catch up, over a drink perhaps.
Future goals: My hopes for the future are first and foremost to get a job. Hopefully as a hardware engineer (PCB design, Digital Design) in the transportation space, but I am of the philosophy to go with the flow. No strict plans as of now… go back to Japan to work, stay in Madison, move to Chicago or Boston, only time will tell what I will do next, and it is both scary and so exciting.
Stay in touch: LinkedIn
Walter Smith
Walter Smith
BA (L&S) Chinese and Russian Major(s)
How did your interest in Asian studies begin: In high school my best friend spoke mandarin and I thought it was the coolest thing ever. I wanted to be able to talk to her and her mom, so I decided to take mandarin classes.
Which courses were most impactful: I remember taking first semester mandarin with Daolin Laoshi and we listened to a rap he made about learning measure words. It made me really enjoy the process of language learning, and showed me that learning a language doesn’t always have to look like reading from a slide and copying what you see— it can be fun.
What advice would you give students: Do it, I love the classes I took, and the people I’ve met in them.
What activities were you involved with: I was not in any clubs related to my majors, but I did meet people in other clubs and at work who were also studying or spoke mandarin so there was always time to practice outside of class with each other.
What memories will you hang onto: I really loved learning how to play Mahjong with Ye Laoshi my sophomore and junior year at the Chinese table events as well as taking medical Chinese last summer.
Future goals: I want to become a translator and travel. My dream is to be able to use what I have learned here at UW to help other speak where or when they can not.
Stay in touch: LinkedIn
Izzy Sunby
Izzy Sunby
BS (L&S) Political Science, Spanish Major(s), with Certificates in Statistics and Chinese Professional Communication
How did your interest in Asian studies begin: I got interested in studying Chinese because of China’s growing importance in global politics. I felt that Chinese history, politics, and culture were all important to understanding the rise of modern China, and that learning Chinese would greatly benefit my understanding of politics more generally.
Which courses were most impactful: I started in First Semester Chinese my freshman year. The most impactful part of my Chinese courses has been the great community of other undergraduates, grad students, and faculty. I am so grateful for the great friends and fantastic mentors that I have met in the department.
What advice would you give students: Try not to be intimated and explore everything you might be interested in! You never know the opportunities you might encounter, the things you might learn, or the friends you might meet.
What activities were you involved with: Since sophomore year, I have participated in undergraduate research in political science and statistics, and I am currently writing my senior thesis on Chinese foreign aid to Latin America. I was the vice president of UW’s Model UN team and am currently a member of PSA, the Political Science honors fraternity. I also work in the Office of the Dean of Letters and Sciences.
What memories will you hang onto: My favorite memory from my Chinese classes is debating different social and economic issues in Chinese conversation. Using Chinese to engage intellectually with other students and discuss important issues was super fun and showed me how much progress I had made in learning Chinese since my freshman year.
Future goals: I will be starting a PhD in Government with a focus on International Relations and Comparative Politics at Harvard in the fall. I hope to eventually become a Professor of Political Science in the future.
Stay in touch: LinkedIn
Joey Thai
Joey Thai
BA (L&S) Communication Arts, Japanese Major(s), with Certificate in Computer Science
How did your interest in Asian studies begin: I had been interested in Japanese media and culture for most of my life. I also thought the language seemed super interesting, so I decided to start taking Japanese classes here.
Which courses were most impactful: First class I remember was the first Japanese language course I took, Third Semester Japanese. This was the course that convinced me I wanted to study Japanese more deeply, the instruction was fantastic and I loved learning about the language and culture in a more structured way.
What advice would you give students: Studying hard is important, but also make sure to make time to relax, enjoy and really engage with the content you are learning.
What activities were you involved with: I worked at Memorial Library and occasionally went to JSA events!
What memories will you hang onto: Studying abroad in Nagoya! I met a lot of cool people, made a lot of great friends and had a lot of amazing experiences while I was abroad.
Future goals: I hope to travel some more, and continue working with Japanese language materials in my future career!
Stay in touch: LinkedIn
Cameron Wermes
Cameron Wermes
BA (L&S) Psychology, with Certificate in Japanese Professional Communication
ALC Highlight: A general highlight experience from the ALC faculty and staff was how kind and helpful everyone was. I felt that each instructor, advisor, or other member that I interacted with genuinely wanted me to succeed. Whenever I needed assistance from an ALC faculty member they helped me with a smile on their face.
How did your interest in Asian studies begin: My interest in Asian Languages and Culture began in my childhood years. From watching Pokémon with my siblings, listening to Japanese media like Hatsune Miku, or the many hours I have spent on Nintendo games, Japanese culture has been a long term interest of mine that has only grown during my time here.
Which courses were most impactful: My most impactful class within this department was my first semester Japanese language course. In comparison to some of my other courses, my language courses have always been positive experiences. The way the classroom was run was a huge selling point. As class sizes are relatively small, it gives you the perfect chance to get to know your professors and cohort very well. This collaborative nature made for an amazing experience that only continued to get better the more ALC classes I took!
What advice would you give students: Give it a try! Learning a language can seem very daunting, and to be candid, it is a lot of work. However, the professors and ALC staff are extremely helpful and will try their best to support your language learning journey. Most of the class time is spent talking in the target language with classmates, which is a great way to meet new people who have at least one thing in common with you.
What activities were you involved with: Within the ALC department, I often attended Kaiwa no Kai events through out my four years here. This club is a great way to practice your Japanese and meet other speaks outside of your classroom cohort. learn more about the culture, and other aspects of the language that may not be focused on within the classroom, like popular slang or specific vocabulary. Outside of the ALC department, I held a volunteer mental health supporter position at Badger SPILL, worked at the Union South bakery, and was a lab assistant studying dementia research under Dr. Diane Gooding.
What memories will you hang onto: A core memory from the ALC/Japanese community was meeting so many great friends in my classes. Seeing the same people throughout my 8 semesters made the classes and language learning experience very enjoyable.
Future goals: After graduation I plan to take a gap year and build my resume a little more before applying to a masters program in counseling psychology. From there I hope to work as a therapist. I feel satisfied in my Japanese language abilities but I also plan to continue learning and hopefully master the language with time.
Stay in touch: LinkedIn
Jessica Wolf
Jessica Wolf
BA (L&S) Chinese, History, and International Studies Major(s), with Certificate in Middle East Studies
How did your interest in Asian studies begin: I began Chinese in high school and fell in love with the language and culture, but once I truly began diving into the opportunities at Madison I found a whole community of individuals who felt the same way.
Which courses were most impactful: My first class that I remember after joining ALC was Asia Enchanted: Ghosts, Gods, and Monsters my freshman spring. Raina Huntington taught an amazing overview of folklore and beliefs within Asia and truly inspired me to have an interest in the uniqueness each belief and history. It was impactful to consider the different stories and narratives that are kept from one society to a language barrier and it grew my passion for learning language if only to access a new trove of resources.
What advice would you give students: I would encourage them to truly consider what language and region they are most interested in, whether it be for a historical, current, artistic, or medical reason. As we each need to take many language classes, no matter being a major or certificate student, we are pursuing a deeper understanding of a completely new society that is restricted due to language. The ability to enter a new sphere with language comprehension is a privilege and should be driven by a passion to interact with all aspects of that society. Language is used to convey and communicate everything and what language you select will determine what information you can access, so choose something that will benefit you not just in every day conversation, but also in your academic life.
What activities were you involved with: I was involved with the Peer Mentor program with ALC and I truly enjoyed meeting and exploring new paths and opportunities for all and any prospective student that wanted to talk.
What memories will you hang onto: I will always remember finding my best friend in my third semester Chinese class. It is the most memorable moment as it truly shaped the rest of my social and academic experience within ALC.
Future goals: In the future, I plan to continue pursuing higher level Mandarin Chinese skills to hopefully discuss high level and current event topics. However, in the past year I have also been introduced to Farsi through ALC and have developed a passion for it as well. I strive to continue my education in both and apply it to my academic, professional, and daily life.
Je-In Woo
Je-In Woo
BA (L&S) History and Political Science Majors, with Certificates in Japanese Professional Communication and East Asian Studies
How did your interest in Asian studies begin: My initial interest in ALC as a college student began with my desire to participate in a study abroad program in Japan. I started taking my class to fulfill my language requirements. However, continuing to pursue language trainings and taking classes on the East Asia, I became deeply interested in the topic, which led me to pursue certificates in East Asian Studies and Japanese Communication.
Which courses were most impactful: My first class in the department was with Professor Takako Nakakubo. I took her Japanese 101 course. The class transformed my view on the study of Japanese language, as I realized how fun and exciting the language learning could be.
What advice would you give students: I would recommend them to take language courses, and pursue beyond mere requirements. Not only I find our ALC departments’ training very high quality, but it also opens door to so many additional opportunities, from participating study abroad program to applying for scholarships.
What activities were you involved with: Unfortunately, I was not able to actively participate in campus activities, due to the fact that I spent a year abroad and that my goal has been to apply for the graduate school. Yet, the interaction with faculty and fellow students greatly helped me in finding additional academic resources, as well as in searching for interesting outside opportunities, such as the Japanese speech contest.
What memories will you hang onto: I vividly remember attending 8:50 class of Japanese language everyday during my freshman year. It was indeed a challenging schedule for a freshman, but after one year, my Japanese language skills improved substantially. That “jump” of language ability will always remain unforgettable.
Future goals: I plan to pursue my path in academia by entering a graduate program outside of Madison. My research interest (comparative politics of East Asian democracies) is closely tied to the lessons I learned from the ALC.
Mina Yildiz
Mina Yildiz
BA (L&S) East Asian Studies, Korean, and International Studies Major(s), with Certificates in Global Cultures, Language, and Education; International Development and Education
How did your interest in Asian studies begin: The first community I grew up in was predominantly East Asian, which developed my initial interest, which later expanded into a fascination with the region’s historical backgrounds, interconnections, and divisions among the nations, and how they relate to international affairs and diplomacy. I also sought to increase my understanding of the intersections among language, culture, and education, drawing on my background in community development and my passion for education and research as a vehicle for meaningful change.
Which courses were most impactful: My Korean language classes were especially impactful, as they provided me with a supportive community that progressed with me throughout the courses, which led to some of my most cherished friendships. Over the course of seven semesters, I made great progress in my Korean language skills. This experience also inspired me to study abroad in Korea, which was an incredible opportunity for personal and academic growth!
What advice would you give students: Your undergraduate years are all about exploring what brings you the most joy, so make sure to explore your passions and have fun as you learn. If the ALC department offers classes or a major/certificate about a region you’re interested in, be open to pursuing them, take advantage of study abroad opportunities, and connect with the dedicated staff who are there to support you!
What activities were you involved with: During my undergraduate studies, I interned at Common Wealth Development as a Community Development Intern and at the Associated Students of Madison as a Grassroots Organizing Intern. Currently, I work as the Events Intern at the Multilingual Learning Research Center. My other involvement includes being a club member of the Leaders in Education Club, volunteering at Greater University Tutoring Services’ Language Exchange, tutoring students with disabilities, and serving as an ESL tutor at the Literacy Network.
What memories will you hang onto: My happiest memory through ALC was taking the Korean summer class during my sophomore year. I had an incredible time with my friends and the T.A., and I learned a lot in this small, fast-paced environment.
Future goals: I aspire to work in the education field whether that’s in international or local contexts, focusing specifically on policy, administration, or research. I also am interested in studying for the FSOT and apply to serve as a U.S. diplomat in the Foreign Service.
Stay in touch: LinkedIn
Wanchen Zhao
Wanchen Zhao
BS (L&S) Japanese and Mathematics Majors, with Certificate in Computer Science
How did your interest in Asian studies begin: On the first day of the semester, I happened to see Nakakubo-sensei teaching, and that was when I found out that my school offered Japanese classes. I had already liked manga, so I was really excited and decided to enroll.
Which courses were most impactful: The first class I remember in the department was AsianLang 103, my first-semester Japanese course. It is hard to choose the most impactful class because I have taken many classes that I really loved, but I would probably choose Dr. Ridgely’s reading course on Yukio Mishima. That class opened the door for me to Japanese literature, and after that I took Japanese literature courses for three semesters in a row, each with a different theme. I enjoyed them very much.
What advice would you give students: I would say: try to enjoy the experience as much as you can. Do not think of classes as something painful. Instead, see them as a joyful journey that you share with your teachers and friends.
What activities were you involved with: I participated in Kaiwa no Kai, and it was very helpful for my Japanese learning, especially when I was just getting started.
What memories will you hang onto: Because the Japanese language community is relatively small, it gave me a wonderful chance to build close friendships. Through my Japanese classes, I met friends I will remember for the rest of my life.
Future goals: Even though I do not plan to pursue research in Japanese, I still hope I can carry what I learned at this school into my future life in some meaningful way. I also hope that the friends I met here will remain important to me, and that we can stay together for a long time.
December 2025
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Evan Zuniga
Evan Zuniga
BA, Asian Languages & Cultures & Political Science Major with a certificate in Public Policy
How did your interest in Asian studies begin: Studying abroad in Japan through the Summer Launch program!
Which courses was most impactful: First Semester Chinese. The events, tutoring, and opportunities around the Chinese language outside of lectures were most impactful!
What advice would you give students: Keep an open mind. Many ALC courses are cross-listed with other departments, so it never hurts to try one out. Go study abroad if you’re interested in the region!
What activities were you involved with: Chinese Language and Culture Club (CLACC)
What memories will you hang onto: Studying abroad in Japan and Bhutan.
Future goals: Work in the federal government!
Stay in touch: LinkedIn
Ariana Liu
Ariana Liu
BA, East Asian Studies, History with honors, Japanese majors with Honors in the College of Letters & Science
How did your interest in Asian studies begin: My interest began through storytelling: films, literature, and historical analysis, and the process of reading and writing enable to find East Asian cultures extremely intriguing. Over time, I realized I wasn’t just attracted to the stories themselves, but to the distinct ways emotion, relationships, and society are expressed within Asian cultural frameworks. Learning the language became the natural way for me to get closer to these cultures and people themselves, allowing me to move beyond observation and toward deeper, more authentic understanding.
Which courses was most impactful: My first class in the department was Japanese. It was impactful to me personally because it was the first time I have ever systematically learn the language behind the culture in which I am always passion about.
What advice would you give students: Have fun exploring, experimenting, and expressing yourself in new ways that may surprise you!
What activities were you involved with: I worked two part-time jobs as a bartender and a hotel front desk representative, which turned out to impactful for my academic journey as well. While it was challenging to balance these roles with my studies, these experiences exposed me to people from all over the world and showed me how even the smallest gestures of communication can make someone feel welcomed and understood. These encounters sparked my curiosity about language and deepened my interest in global hospitality and cross-cultural communication.
What memories will you hang onto: Studying abroad in Tokyo, Japan and meeting friends with similar passion in Asian cultures and languages was an amazing experience for me. Walking through historic streets, visiting temples, museums, and local markets, and discovering hidden neighborhoods enabled me see how culture, history, and daily life are intertwined.
Future goals: I hope to pursue a career path related to cross-cultural communication and language-application.
Stay in touch: LinkedIn
Mandy Grunewald
Mandy Grunewald
BA, Asian Languages & Cultures and History majors, with certificates in Environmental Studies, Folklore, Southeast Asian Studies
How did your interest in Asian studies begin: Like many 90s kids…it was Pokemon. Back in the days of dial-up internet, I started teaching myself Japanese using books in middle school and asked my uncle to bring back items from his trips to China. At the time, schools only offered the big three European languages, so I had to learn on my own. Once I got to college, I finally had the chance to study language in a more structured environment. I still love 1st gen pokemon. I have all my badges from kicking peoples butts at the Tournaments at Pegasus Games. Don’t step at me or my Golduck.
Which courses was most impactful: During my first semester, my schedule was packed entirely with ALC courses because I transferred in with 1 million advanced credits. One of the highlights was Mike Cullinane’s “Southeast Asian Refugees of the Cold War”, which I found especially engaging.
What advice would you give students: talk with your advisor to make sure your classes count. Don’t have 1000 classes that count for nothing.
What activities were you involved with: Occasionally went to CLACC meetings. I wish I was able to join more clubs and make it to meetings.
What memories will you hang onto: The trip to China Town
Future goals: Travel and try tons of new foods. I am joining the Peace Corps. Maybe Grad school for ancient pirate studies or food archeology. Who knows.
Stay in touch: LinkedIn
May 2025
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Kairo Ellis Hernandez Galvan
Kairo Ellis Hernandez Galvan
BA, Japanese major, with certificates in Art Studio, East Asian Studies, Teaching English as a Second Language, and Theatre (L&S)
Interest: I was planning on working in Japan in the future, and I also have always had an interest in international relations concerning East Asia as it was a reigion I have had less exposure to. After studying abroad in Japan my sophomore year, I really solidified my interest in working and living in the reigion. I came back to the U.S. with a stronger passion in wanting to learn more about East Asian history, art, and traditions (particularly food!). Furthermore, my professors, TAs, and department faculty have been great resources. Without their assistance, I would not be nearly as involved and interested in this department as I am now.
Class: The first class in ALC I took was my first semester Japanese language course. It was also actually my first course ever as a Freshman. I remember being heavily influenced by my TA, who inspired me to work hard in my language studies and look forward to studying abroad. She made me feel seen as a student, especially as a nervous Freshman, unsure of where I would end up. I was able to build a strong foundation for the rest of my Japanese courses and familiarize myself with the various things I could do with my studies while at college and after graduation.
Inspiration: The ALC department has many options for students, including a variety of majors and certificates. The faculty and advisors are great and really do care about the students they support. Do not be afraid to contact or ask to meet with anyone, everyone wants each other to succeed! I would also really encourage others to study abroad if the opportunity presents itself. There is a lot you can do with a major or certificate in this department, especially concerning business, technology, education, and international fields.
Activities: I volunteered for the International Conference on Japanese Language Education (ICJLE) during the summer of 2024. I got to use my Japanese skills as well as do a little bit of informal networking. I learned more about some of the Japanese faculty that I had never worked with before I also talked to other undergraduate and graduate ALC students, which introduced me to many courses and programs I had not known about before. It also motivated me to pursue and declare the East Asian Studies certificate. I also volunteered for the Asian Studies Conference Japan (ASCJ) at my host institution during my study abroad program. I learned about the various studies being done primarily in the fields of education, history, art, and culture throughout all of Asia, not just Japan or East Asia. I facilitated speakers and guests experiences during some talks as part of my volunteer position, which allowed me to listen in and learn from the speakers.
Memories: My best memory would include me thinking back to all the people I have met throughout my undergraduate career. I have made many close friends and have gotten really familiar with the people I looked up to as a Freshman. To see myself be so much closer and confident talking with my professors and asking my advisors for help, I am filled with gratitude and pride as I look at all the progress I made, not only academically, but also socially. The people in my network have allowed me to learn a new language, learn about and experience other cultures, study abroad and form host family bonds, and now follow in my older sister’s footsteps in being a first-generation college graduate.
Future: I plan to participate on the JET Program after graduation. If I am not accepted into it (or the Chiba ALT Program) this round, I will continue to work on my language skills and teaching capabilities so I can try again in the future. My ideal career would be related to international relations or education within Japan. I plan to give back as well, helping other first-gen college students and forming resources to help them achieve their goals.
Stay in touch: LinkedIn
Grace Darmody
Grace Darmody
BA, East Asian Studies and Linguistics major (L&S)
Interest: I became really interesting in Korean culture while I was in high school, and once I started college I wanted to delve deeper into my understanding and consumption of Korea’s rich culture by studying the language. After a few years of studying, I realized that I was far enough into my language journey to start considering adding ALC as another major in tandem with my first, so I started pursuing East Asian Languages & Culture as a compliment to my Linguistics major.
First class: My first class in the ALC department was First Semester Korean with Jaerin Ahn, which I loved and was a major factor in my choosing to continue studying the language. I was able to meet so many people who had similar interests to mine, many of whom I am still close friends with four years later. Prof. Ahn made learning a language that was so different to English, my first language, fun and easy, and all the TAs were super helpful in my comprehension and understanding right from the start, whom ended up also being a big part in why I continued taking Korean classes.
Inspiration: I would say that there are so many different classes within the department and different majors, and learning languages, no matter which ones, are always such a great way to meet new people and form close relationships right from the start of your college life, which can feel really daunting and overwhelming at first.
Activities: I was able to go abroad my junior year to study in Seoul, South Korea, which was such an amazing opportunity for me and my own personal development. I was also part of the Korean Language Table and Korean Happy Hour clubs, which were also such a great way to practice my language skills and meet people who were at different levels of understanding and comprehension in their language learning.
Memories: I will always remember the friends I made in my classes, which made my university experience so much more fulfilling for me.
Future: I would love to be able to go back to Korea for a job or internship or any language immersion program to expand more on my language comprehension in the future, since I don’t want to lose all the progress I made over the past 4 years.
Eli Javier
Eli Javier
BS, Chinese and Computer Science majors (L&S)
Interest: I took Chinese classes through high school, and I was curious to see what taking a language class at university would be like. After one semester I was hooked, my interest in the language only grew.
First Class: My first class was third semester Chinese. This was where I first met my best friend in the program, we would continue to take Chinese classes together through our time at UW.
Inspiration: Definitely keep your eyes open to opportunities promoted by the department. Many of them can help you develop valuable intersectional experience, beyond just learning a language.
Activities: IT work and CHASA events with friends.
Memory: I don’t think I’ll ever forget classes with Ma Laoshi. The combination of getting challenged in a fun language learning environment is the best.
Future: I plan to continue learning and practicing Mandarin in my personal and hopefully professional life. I’m hoping to bring my language skills into my career to complement my more technical background in computer science.
Stay in touch: LinkedIn
Siddharth Tiwari
Siddharth Tiwari
BA, Asian Languages & Cultures, Japanese, International Studies, and International Studies majors, with certificates in East Asian Studies, Public Policy, and Political Economy, Philosophy & Politics (L&S)
Interest: I wanted to pursue the Japanese communication certificate out of personal interest and as I progressed in other courses related to political science I developed an interest in comparative government and international studies, as I tried to find a way to integrate my interest in Japanese to my professional pursuits as a lawyer. I quickly developed an interest in other parts of Asia, going as far as to live in South Korea for the better part of a year. I ultimately decided I wanted a holistic education of Asian Languages & Culture to best prepare me for my future.
First class: My first class in this department was First Semester Japanese and I honestly felt like I was drowning. With other classes a lot of things are memorization and I’m good at integrating the knowledge but languages never really click with me as I learned from my experience studying French in high school. It really made me reevaluate how I study and constantly had me trying new approaches to learning things such as Kanji. Even today I struggle a lot with my Japanese classes but I it’s something I care about a lot and want to continue to work on. I think my greatest takeaway was honestly my problem solving as I learned to tackle different aspects of the language.
Inspiration: Focus on the breadth of your learning. Having the opportunity to learn a language in a classroom setting is great but there are honestly other resources or ways you could study a majority of the content taught in our core classes as they are centered around textbooks. The value in our majors and certificates lie in our other classes. The intermediate classes and advanced classes cover a lot of aspects of the language no singular textbook covers and and provides you the strongest foundation for your studies. Speaking a language such as Japanese does not define your experience as a Japanese major. It is the additional courses you select to supplement these that make the majors and certificates in this department different than studying outside of school.
Activities: I was a fam parent and executive board member for our Asian American Student Union, an active member of our Japanese Student Association and Korean American Student Association, a member of the APIDA Heritage Month Planning Committee and their social justice and education subcommittee. All of this fed into my experience as an Asian Languages & Cultures and Japanese Major. I also actively attended major events for all the various Asian cultural organizations on our campus such as the Vietnamese Student Association, Southeast Asian Student Association, and Filipino American Student Organization. I was a representative for several midwestern conferences for the Asian community such as the Midwestern Asian American Student Association and Midwestern Japanese Student Association. I also studied abroad in South Korea twice, worked in Korea over summer for an internship, and traveled Taiwan and Japan while doing research for a directed study on the translation of Asian mythology across cultures.
Memories: My junior year I got the chance to participate in the Midwestern Japanese Student Association Conference and got to travel with other students from our school’s Japanese Student Association to interact with students of various backgrounds from other schools. It was an incredible networking opportunity and was my first time really exploring off campus. It also taught me a lot about how the Japanese and Asian community can be represented. I learned a lot about what it means to be Asian American and the various efforts people put forth to engage in their own and other cultures. This experience drove me to participate in more cultural organizations and attend other similar conferences in the future.
Future: In the future I hope to become an International Lawyer, ideally interacting with international arbitration, policy, or trade. I want to be able to live in the U.S. primarily with my friends and family but be incentivized to travel to other countries not for vacation but rather for durations of a few months or longer at a time to work and coordinate between either multinational corporations or governmental bodies. I want to learn about new countries cultures through their legal systems and make lasting friendships across the world. I want to always be learning. In the immediate future I plan on taking a gap year or two, with the intention of working on personal projects, gathering work experience, and preparing for law school. I hope to better define my aspirations and long-term goals.
Stay in touch: LinkedIn
Margaret Murphy-Weise
Margaret Murphy-Weise
BA, Chinese, Political Science majors, with East Asian Studies Certificate (L&S)
Interest: I had been studying Chinese in school since a very young age, so I always knew that I wanted to continue my Chinese studies in college. Studying Chinese in college has not only introduced me to Wisconsin’s vibrant ALC community, but also allowed me to really improve my speaking, reading, and writing skills.
First Class: The first class that I took was sixth semester Chinese, but the class that was the most impactful was ASIALANG 454: Advanced Chinese Through Media. This was such a creative and engaging language class that taught me so much about everyday life in China and authentic Chinese society.
Inspiration: Just do it! Majoring in a second language has been one of the most fulfilling and important parts of my college experience, and I promise you won’t regret it!
Activities: Chinese tutor, intern for Tammy Baldwin for Senate, intern at Wisconsin capitol, Alpha Chi Omega, Wisconsin democratic party volunteer.
Memory: One of my favorite memories was being a Chinese tutor because it allowed me to connect with and share excitement and passion about the Chinese language with other students.
Future: Next year, I will be moving to Taiwan to teach English for a year!
Stay in touch: LinkedIn
Gregory Scheer
Gregory Scheer
BA, Japanese major (L&S)
Interest: During SOAR, I noticed that I could take Japanese as a class while I was majoring in music. After realizing that I didn’t like majoring in music, I decided to major in Japanese. Thus here I am!
First Class: Japanese was my first class, but Indonesian became the most impactful. It taught me how to learn languages in general and sparked my interest in learning more than just Japanese.
Inspiration: Go for it! The classes are rewarding and the experience is incredibly fun. The perfect major for someone who wants to get out of their comfort zone.
Activities: I worked at a hotel that hosted many international guests and travelers. Thus I got to practice my languages with all of them. Language tables helped me make more friends.
Memories: The collegues. The department is small enough that you get to learn all of your classmates’ names and I think that really helped me motivate myself to continue learning.
Future: I hope to teach and travel. On the side, I hope to return to music and incorporate my language experience with my music.
Stay in touch: LinkedIn
Megan Stevens
Megan Stevens
BS, Genetics & Genomics (CALS) and Japanese Professional Communication Certificate (L&S)
Interest: I have always been interested in learning different languages and wanted to pursue this passion in college. Japanese was one of the languages that I had always wanted to learn and I felt so lucky that I was able to learn from amazing teachers.
First class: The first class I remember taking was First Semester Japanese, 103. This class was also the most impactful as it started my path of learning Japanese and motivated me to study abroad in Japan.
Inspiration: Take as many different classes as you can! There are so many interesting topics to explore. And have fun, time flies by!
Activities: Japanese club, Pre-Genetic Counseling Organization, Advocates for Rare Diseases, and Badger Volunteering
Memories: I will never forget the time spent with my friends in Japanese classes and hanging out at Japanese club.
Future: I hope to continue learning Japanese and eventually go to graduate school for genetic counseling. For the mean time, I will take a GAP year and hopefully work as a Genetic Counseling Assistant!
Jihong Lee
Jihong Lee
BA, East Asian Studies, Geography, International Studies, and Japanese (L&S)
Interest: As an East Asian, and later as I majored in International Studies, Japanese, and Geography, I realized that I became more interested in Asian Languages and Cultures, so I wanted to explore and improve my knowledge of the region.
First class: My first class that I remember was Advanced Japanese: Foundation, and the most impactful moment was taking a manga class with Professor Adam Kern. I thought the class was only about manga, but I ended up learning more about Japan and its surrounding nations, like Korea and China. It was also fun to learn about Korean history.
Advice: Be gentle and respectful to all of your instructors, as they are here to teach you. Try to complete all of your homework or assignments as soon as possible!
Support: Receiving emails from my advisor about the international students program was helpful. Whenever I struggled with academic issues or had difficulty finding a class, she was always there to help me.
Memories: I think I will remember all the Japanese teachers who taught me because I had never taken a class with Japanese national teachers before. It was fun to learn about the connections between Japan, the USA, and Korea. I wish I could have had more classes with them.
Future: I hope I can find a job that utilizes my language skills and knowledge of foreign cultures, and I wish to find a job that serves the nation.
Stay in touch: LinkedIn
May 2024
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Sydney Bobolz
Sydney Bobolz
BA, College of Letters & Science, May 2024
Asian Languages & Cultures – East Asian Studies Major, Chinese Major
ALC Peer Mentor
Interest: I wanted to broaden my scope of language and culture education beyond just a Chinese B.A.
Classes: My first class was the basic level Chinese class and it was over zoom due to COVID. Even online, everyone could feel the professor and TA’s passion for education and genuine care for their students.
Recommendations: The ALC department is a great way to broaden your view of the world. Not only does it look great on a resume to have cross cultural competencies, but perusing a major or certificate in ALC can give you a base line knowledge of a large chunk of the world.
Activities: I was involved as an ALC peer mentor. I enjoyed sharing my experiences in the department and bonding with other students through shared experiences and interests.
Memories: Every single one of my Chinese language professors had such passion for sharing their language. The best part of this community is knowing you have an amazing support team who will work with you through any difficulty.
Future: My current post-grad plan is to commission into the U.S. Army. I want to use my chinese language and culture knowledge in my job field and eventually earn the position of foreign area officer.
Caleb Cronbaugh
Caleb Cronbaugh
BA, College of Letters & Science, May 2024
Asian Languages & Cultures – East Asian Studies Major, Certificates in History and Asian American Studies
Interest: I originally was studying Japanese in college and then shifted to broader Asian Languages and Cultures in order to build upon the language. I also wanted to broaden my knowledge of issues impacting all of South-East and East Asia.
Classes: Asian 236- Asia Enchanted, Professor D’Etcheverry was amazing and really showcased the opportunities to expand my knowledge and learn about things that impact the culture and folklore of Japan.
Recommendations: Ensure that you take different classes under different professors and explore other departments in which the classes and credits still count towards your major.
Activities: NROTC, worked at Vintage
Memories: Studying for Kanji tests in the 12th floor book room.
Future: I hope to eventually move back to Japan and visit countries that I have not been before.
Emilia Deino
Emilia Deino
BS, College of Letters & Science, May 2024
Atmospheric & Oceanic Studies Major, Japanese Professional Communication Certificate, Environmental Studies Certificate
Interest: My dad took me on his business trip to Tokyo when I was a sophomore in high school. When I got back to the US, I started taking Japanese lessons. When I came to UW, I knew I wanted to continue learning Japanese so I enrolled in the Professional Business Japanese Certificate program.
Classes: My first class was online, it was second semester Japanese. Even though our class was held over zoom, the professor was very interactive and actively called on us during class.
Recommendations: I would totally recommend it. Learning an Asian language is such a fun and eye-opening experience because it is so different from English.
Activities: I was the Vice President of the Audubon Society UW-Madison Chapter (basically the birdwatching club). I also often went to JSA events such as the fall and spring festivals.
Memories: I will always remember the Japanese Learning Community I was a part of in Adams Hall and the fun events we did every week. Even during covid, we would have meetings over zoom and keep each other company. That was my first introduction to the great community on campus.
Future: I hope to use my background in atmospheric science to work in wildlife conservation and climate change mitigation. I know that my Japanese language experience from UW will help me achieve my dreams.
Connect: LinkedIn
Sophie Frankel
Sophie Frankel
BA, College of Letters & Science, May 2024
Economics Major, Philosophy Major, Chinese Professional Communication Certificate
Interest: I’ve taken Mandarin classes since middle school, and I’ve loved being able to continue my study of Chinese at UW-Madison through different angles like business.
Classes: Since my freshman year was during the pandemic, my first impression was online in a Zoom class. In ASIALANG 201, my TAs were so supportive and helpful throughout the semester.
Recommendations: Since my freshman year was during the pandemic, my first impression was online in a Zoom class. In ASIALANG 201, my TAs were so supportive and helpful throughout the semester.
Activities: As an economics major, I worked as an Econ 101 tutor my senior year. I enjoyed the opportunity to help my peers and look at basic economics concepts through a new lens.
Memories: Eating mooncakes with my classmates during the Chinese New Year!
Future: I plan to work in finance post graduation. In the future, I hope to integrate my study of Chinese language into my profession.
Connect: LinkedIn
Nautilus Gallardo-Mambaje
Nautilus Gallardo-Mambaje
BA, College of Letters & Science, May 2024
Asian Languages & Cultures Major, Gender & Women’s Studies Major, Asian American Studies Certificate
Interest: I did a FIG that was related to the ALC major, I really enjoyed the professors that I had. Some of my professors in Freshman year became my mentors.
Classes: Since I took the FIG, I took Asian 100, Asian 300, and 3rd semester Chinese during my freshman semester. The most impactful class was the Proseminar taught by Tyrell Haberkorn about Communism, Anarchism, and Others in Southeast Asia.
Recommendations: To take classes that are fun and to connect to different orgs on campus to practice.
Activities: FAFSO, PISA, APIDA HM, AASP, working at the International Learning Community, volunteering at the Asian Community Resource Center and at the Asian Community Development Center.
Memories: My favorite memory that I will be holding onto: My semester of research with Tyrell Haberkorn about liberation movements and how American activism relates to both past and present changes in Asia.
Future: I hope to pursue a PhD in Ethnic studies and to eventually become a professor.
Samantha Hua
Samantha Hua
BA, College of Letters & Science, May 2024
International Studies – Global Security Major, Chinese Professional Communication Certificate, Gender & Women’s Studies Certificate
Interest: I have been learning Chinese since high school and wanted to explore and learn more of my heritage in college!
Classes: The first class I remember taking was Elementary Chinese, but my most impactful class was Business Chinese.
Recommendations: I would tell students to explore electives because I think electives are a fun and interesting way to learn about a topic before they commit to the major or certificate.
Activities: I was an active member of VSA since my freshmen year. I was involved with VHP to specifically volunteer and fundraise for the organizations. Both organizations helped me make friends and connected me to mentors that demonstrated collaboration and leadership that helped me become an active participant in the classroom.
Memories: I will remember the teachers and friends I made because the ALC is a small community that I am able to connect with a tight knit community and see them often even if I’m taking different courses.
Future: My hope for the future to be able to find a job that has an inclusive and fun community that will be able take me to various countries so that I can learn of the social issues there to broaden my world knowledge.
Connect: LinkedIn
Nick Jacobs
Nick Jacobs
BS, College of Letters & Science, May 2024
Computer Science Major, Mathematics Major, Japanese Professional Communication Certificate
ALC Peer Language Tutor for Japanese
Interest: I wanted to learn a foreign language, I had interest in Japanese history and it seemed like a fun, challenging language.
Classes: My first class was first semester Japanese, I remember all of the TAs and professors being very nice and energetic, it made me want to study the language more.
Recommendations: Its a great opportunity to meet other people with similar interests and be in the same class with them semester after semester.
Activities: My most impactful activity was my internship in Yokohama summer 2023. I was able to live in Japan for over a month and get an amazing experience that has changed the course of my career.
Memories: Steve Ridgely’s classes on Evangelion and Anime were some of the most fun and interesting classes I’ve ever taken at UW Madison. We were able to look at a variety of topics and analyze them in insightful ways that helped influence the way I look at media.
Future: My current future plans are moving to Japan as a part of the JET program, where I’ll hopefully be able to find a company in Japan that I want to work for. I’m interested in working in a tech company, or even translation work if I can get the right connections.
Erika Kay-Tsumagari
Erika Kay-Tsumagari
BS, College of Letters & Science, May 2024
Biochemistry Major, Japanese Professional Communication Certificate
ALC Peer Mentor
Interest: I wanted to improve my Japanese from past self study and saw there were many interesting classes offered through the ALC department.
Classes: My first class was 3rd Semester Japanese and I was so impressed by how friendly and easy to talk to all the TAs were.
Recommendations: Make the most out of your experience in classes, all the ALC professors are great!
Activities: Japanese Student Association, Alpha Chi Sigma, Slow Food UW, WISCIENCE, GUTS Tutoring, and Triathlon Club
Memories: Taking Japanese Conversation with many friends and practicing speaking Japanese with them 🙂
Future: I am moving to NYC for the next 5+ years to get a PhD in Pharmacology from Weill Cornell. After that, I hope to work as a scientist at a biotech company hopefully in SF!
Connect: LinkedIn
Christy Li
Christy Li
BS, College of Engineering May 2024
Biomedical Engineering Major, Chinese Professional Communication Certificate
Interest: Growing up I was forced to learn Chinese, which as a kid meant I automatically hated it. But as I got older, the regret of not learning the language began to sink in. Each visit home reminded me of the disconnect between my grandparents and I. So coming into college I always knew I would be taking Chinese courses to improve my communication skills.
Classes: My very first class was Chinese for Heritage Speakers and through that class I was able to interact with students that grew up with the same background as me. It was really interesting to hear about other students backgrounds and why they ultimately decided to take Chinese.
Recommendations: Have fun, don’t stress about it. Duolingo is really great for learning and retaining vocabulary!
Activities: Attending club events such as Chinese New Year with different organizations was really fun as I got to make so many new friends.
Memories: All the friendships I’ve gained!
Future: Hopefully being a doctor and having the communication skills available, especially in medical settings, to help the public.
Connect: LinkedIn
May Li
May Li
BA, College of Letters & Science, May 2024
Chinese Major, Economics Major
Interest: My parents are from China and I want to learn more about the language and culture.
Classes: ASIALANG 453, was my first class and it was during the start of the pandemic. The course was fully online.
Recommendations: Take the classes and don’t be scared to learn a new language.
Activities: Internships, study abroad, traveling.
Memories: Learning a new language is useful in many ways, especially for future careers.
Future: Graduate from Grad school at UW-Madison. Have a dream job where I can work and incorporate the Chinese Language to help others.
Connect: LinkedIn
Kira McComb
Kira McComb
BA, College of Letters & Science, May 2024
Chinese Major, Linguistics Major, Psychology Major
ALC Peer Mentor
Interest: I have been studying Chinese my whole life and knew I wanted to continue it at an undergraduate level. I have been fortunate enough to be a part of the ALC program and during this program, I have not only increased my Chinese fluency but learned so much about the wider Chinese culture.
Classes: The first class I had in the department was ASIALANG 202 (Fourth Semester Chinese). The most impactful class I have taken in the department was ASIALANG 379 (Business Chinese) as I have the fondest memories of my classmates from that course and I think it was one of the most helpful classes I have taken for my Chinese language ability.
Recommendations: I would say to take any class that sounds interesting to you as you’ll never know what you’ll discover! There have been many classes I’ve taken that I, at first, believed did not match my interests but found the class (or a part of it) extremely fascinating and took more classes surrounding that interest.
Activities: I was/am a part of a second-language acquisition linguistics lab, which has not only helped my research experience but also helped my understanding of what acquiring a second language can look like. I also was/am a peer mentor for the ALC department, which I hope has helped the department and the students within it.
Memories: One memory I will take from being a part of the ALC/Chinese community is the classmates I have met through the department. They have made my learning experience within classes and the department extremely enjoyable.
Future: My plans for the future (currently) consist of attending graduate school and continuing my academic journey. After that, I hope to join the workforce in a way that allows me to use my Chinese and linguistic knowledge.
Connect: LinkedIn
Nanami Oshimura
Nanami Oshimura
BS, College of Letters & Science, May 2024
Japanese Major, Molecular & Cell Biology Major
Interest: I wanted to take Japanese classes to connect better with my Japanese heritage and improve my linguistic skills.
Classes: The first course I took in the ALC department was Asialang 104, second semester Japanese. The most impactful courses has been Japanese Conversation and fifth semester Japanese.
Recommendations: I was also hesitant whether to take courses, but I found the courses in the ALC department to be some of the most interesting courses I’ve taken. Additionally, the advisors are all really helpful in figuring out schedules and graduation requirements. One of the highlights of my college memories was my study abroad experience, which wouldn’t have been possible without the courses in the ALC department,
Activities: I have been an undergraduate research assistant since freshman year. In senior year, I have been a board member of the Japanese Student Association and a Badger volunteer tutoring Japanese at Plymouth High School.
Memories: The professors and TAs in the Japanese department have been some of the kindest and most encouraging professors I’ve met as a student. They genuinely hope for their students to succeed and enjoy connecting with their students.
Future: I hope to succeed and enjoy the career path I end up following as well as have the chance to experience different cultures. At the moment I’m not entirely sure of what my career path will be but I would like to gain work experience and skills that will assist me in applying to graduate school in the future.
Connect: LinkedIn
Elaine Pajanustan
Elaine Pajanustan
BS, School of Education, May 2024
Health Promotion & Health Equity Major, Certificates in Japanese Professional Communication, Asian American Studies, Global Health, Health Policy
Interest: In high school, I hosted 2 Japanese exchange students which inspired me to take Japanese classes at my high school. I quickly fell in love with the language and knew I wanted to pursue it in college.
Classes: The first class I took was AsiaLang 114 in 2020 with Okamoto sensei. As a freshman cooped up in my dorm during the pandemic, I always looked forward to talking to my classmates and Okamoto sensei in this class. Anthro 357: Introduction to the Anthropology of Japan that left the most lasting impression on me. Delving into the cultural practices of the Ainu people and exploring various social, cultural, and historical aspects of Japan not typically covered in language classes was really cool! Professor Ohnuki-Tierney, who led this course, brought a wealth of knowledge and captivating stories to the classroom, making the subject incredibly engaging. In the summer of 2023, I had the chance to study abroad in Hokkaido, where I could apply the insights gained from Anthro 357 to my classes and activities. This experience allowed me to deepen my understanding of the Ainu and Japanese food systems in a real-world context.
Recommendations: I would definitely encourage anyone who is interested in ALC to reach out to any of the professors and/or the advisor, everyone is incredibly helpful and kind! I came into college undecided and found my major by taking classes that interested me and looking through the undergrad majors & certificates page.
Activities: On campus, I was an Event Coordinator and Social Media Coordinator for the Japanese Student Association. I also was an active member of the Filipinx American Student Association and was the Chairperson for the Asian Pacific Islander Desi American (APIDA) Heritage Month Planning Committee. I also had a few internships/jobs with a Japanese based nutraceutical company, WI Department of Public Instruction, UW Extension, WI Department of Health Services, Wisconsin Center for Educational Research, and an Indigineous community health center in Milwaukee.
Memories: I’d say my favorite memories would be hanging out with my friends from JSA.
Future: I hope to work in community based public health programs and research, specifically for Asian Americans.
Connect: LinkedIn
Mara Rodewald
Mara Rodewald
BA, College of Letters & Science, May 2024
International Studies Major, Communication Arts Major, and Certificates in Japanese Professional Communication, Gender & Women’s Studies, German
Interest: I was interested in Japanese pop culture since I was little and so I wanted to study the language.
Classes: First class was Japanese 103 and the most impactful was all of them!
Recommendations: All the faculty, staff and TAs are so kind!
Activities: I was a co-instructor at the Chadbourne Residential College.
Memories: Being able to connect with people through learning Japanese language.
Future: To continue learning about culture, identity and belonging!
Aiko Wolf
Aiko Wolf
BA, College of Letters & Science, May 2024
Chinese Major, History Major
Interest: Mandarin Chinese was offered in elementary through high school, but I was never taught past a very elementary level of speaking. This was enough to spark my interest to see the language through.
Classes: My first Chinese language class over zoom during the Fall of 2020. Even during the pandemic they ALC faculty and staff did a great job!
Recommendations: Having a major or certificate in the ALC department is extremely practical and fulfilling. It will supplement any career field well.
Activities: Chinese Tables & Foundation International
Memories: All the out of class group work with my peers! Having that connection of speaking in a language other than English has been so sweet.
Future: I am going to continue my education at the University of Wisconsin- Madison in the Curriculum and Instruction: Secondary Education Master’s Program.
Stephen Zheng
Stephen Zheng
BS, College of Agriculture & Life Science, May 2024
Food Science Major, and Chinese Professional Communication Certificate
Interest: I was interested because I wanted to improve my Chinese language ability in an academic format.
Classes: My first class was Second Semester Chinese. I think what was most impactful in that class was learning different grammar patterns, which I didn’t think about while learning Chinese from my parents when I was a kid.
Recommendations: Feel free to have fun with your projects, class, and your peers.
Activities: The Food Science Club and Babcock House student organizations were the two main clubs I was apart of. These two organizations helped supplement and support my future career paths.
Memories: The mid-autumn festival was the most memorable experience for me.
Future: I plan to work in Sales within the Food Industry. I hope I can work internationally so I can further improve my Chinese.
Connect: LinkedIn
Ariana Zins
Ariana Zins
BA, College of Letters & Science, May 2024
Chinese Major, Asian Languages & Cultures Major, International Studies Major
Interest: I was adopted from China and always have been interested in studying the language & culture that I come from. I have a great fascination for Asia and all the ins-and-outs of it! The people, the food, the language, the culture…I love it all.
Classes: Asialang 201–the first language class I took in the department. I was a scared little Freshman and the rigor of the class was daunting but also extremely motivating. I knew that I had picked the right university to improve and sharpen my language skills!
Recommendations: Don’t be afraid to try new things, learn a topic that you are interested in. Yes, finishing your degree is important but studying things that you may be interested in is even more important. College is a time to fearlessly explore and take advantage of all the opportunities available. Being an involved and knowledgeable citizen of the world means trying and learning new topics–even if they may seem “different” or “weird” to you at first.
Activities: Air Force ROTC, ALC Peer Mentors, ALC Department Communications Intern, Arnold Air Society, Scabbard & Blade, CLACC, Barista at Prairie Fire, Volleyball/Soccer/Football Intramural, Leader at Badger Cru
Memories: Every single language class I had will be memorable. While rigorous and long, the experience and time spent in the language & with the people that appreciated the language like I did was so rewarding and fun! I applaud every single person that pursues a language because it is not easy!!!
Future: Become a 2nd Lieutenant in the USAF and work as a Logistics Officer in Japan.
December 2023
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Eve Runquist
Eve Runquist
BA, College of Letters & Science, December 2023
Asian Languages & Cultures – East Asian Studies Major, Japanese Major, Certificate in Environmental Studies
Interest: I’d been teaching myself Japanese for years when I decided to study abroad in Japan in high school with the AFS program. It was at that time that I really fell in love with the country and decided I wanted to continue my studies in university. I picked Madison because I got to visit a class and loved the way the professors taught Japanese and pushed their students.
Classes: The first classes I remember were 3rd semester Japanese in 2020, and Tyrell Haberkorn’s Revolutionary Asia class. For me one of the most impactful courses was Steven Ridgely’s Japanese translation course, because it matched my passion for language and involved some really interesting analysis of how we communicate and translate cross-languages/cultures.
Recommendations: Absolutely go for it. I think it’s most interesting the less you already know on the topic. Especially if you learn a language to go along with it, it will really expand your horizons.
Activities: I was a member of Nihongo House my freshman year in 2020. Even though there weren’t many of us, it was a great time and I’m really glad that’s where I chose to go. I’ve also done volunteering for Madison West in Japanese, and one-on-one tutoring as well. Doing this combined with classes really helped my language teaching skills.
Memories: Learning languages is always fun, particularly because it gives you the opportunity to communicate with people in ways you never could have imagined before.
Future: Since before I entered university, I have wanted to become a translator, and I will continue that dream! I’m already well on that path today! I plan on moving out of the US and exploring other linguistic opportunities around the world.
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Liz Brown
Interest: As a kid, I was exposed to Japanese culture from hearing about my father’s experiences working and living there, and became very curious about the Japanese alphabet and language. I enjoyed language learning in high school, finding it incredibly interesting and rewarding, so I decided to pursue a Japanese certificate in college.
First Class: First semester Japanese was my very first language class! I remember how encouraged I was by the instructors’ support, and how engaging the class was. My favorite class in the department was probably 5th semester Japanese (303). The topics were engaging, and by that point I knew most of the students and was equipped to have meaningful discussions during class.
Inspiration: The department is fantastic, the faculty are incredible teachers and very supportive. It may seem daunting to pursue a language, but like anything else, consistent work leads to results! Pursuing a Japanese certificate was incredibly rewarding. Don’t be intimidated by other people, everyone learns and picks things up at their own pace!
Engagement: I was lucky enough to attend JASC (Japan-America Student Conference) in the summer of 2022. It is a yearly 3-week student conference that meets either in Japan and America, alternating every year. I was a delegate in an America year, and was able to meet a bunch of Japanese students, practice my language skills, and learn more about the cultural differences and similarities between the US and Japan. I met some incredible people who I plan to visit in Japan after I graduate.
Memories: I fondly remember the collective terror students shared before speaking exams, sitting outside in the hallway as we were pulled in one by one. It was a bonding experience. On a more positive note, I fondly remember the last classes of each semester, when the teachers usually brought in Japanese snacks.
Future: I plan to find a job after graduation in my field. In the future, I want to pursue Earthquake Mechanics/Fault Mechanics in graduate school, hopefully in collaboration with Japanese universities or with field work in Japan. My future dreams are to work as a earth scientist/engineer in as many places in the world that I can.
Stay in touch: LinkedIn
Will Cerne
Interest: I dabbled a bit in Japanese before high school, but fell in love with the language during my studies at Madison.
Classes: I still remember taking 1st semester Japanese. The most impactful class for me was either 1st semester or AV Media.
Inspiration: Language learning is an incredibly beautiful and rewarding experience that gives the more you put into it.
Memories: The Kakehashi Project 🙂
Future: I want to get my PhD in Physics from Tokyo University.
May 2023
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Calvin Eckl
Interest: When I first entered college I was declared as a Biochemistry major thinking I was on the path to becoming a scientist. However, I quickly realized after taking a few semesters of STEM courses that the road to becoming a scientist wasn’t as fulfilling as I initially thought it out to be, as learning about something I didn’t care about quickly ate away at any motivation I had. It was around my second year of college that I was taking Japanese as an elective, and it was there that I fell in love with the language and eventually decided on it as my major.
First class: Semester One Japanese! What stood out to me most were the professors and TA’s and how encouraging and understanding they were. Learning a new language is hard, and that sort of support goes a long way when you’re just starting out.
Inspiration: Find what you love doing and don’t let anyone stop you from doing it! I can’t count the amount of times people told me I was going to die starving under a bridge for majoring in Japanese, but I never let it stop me. Study and master your craft, capitalize on every opportunity no matter how small or irrelevant they may seem, and don’t forget to stay hydrated!
Activities: I’ve tutored Japanese to high schoolers at Madison West Highschool, as well as been an English Language Partner through GUTS. I’m also active in the Super Smash Bros. Club and have participated in many of the local tournaments held in the Madison area.
Memory: I will fondly remember dreading speaking exams with my peers as we each got called into the classroom one by one. That as well as the amazing people that make up the Japanese Department, many of who have taught me, influenced me, and helped me get to where I am today.
Future: I’ll be going to Japan to teach English as an Assistant Language Teacher through the JET Program this summer. While I’m there, I hope to solidify my Japanese language skills as well as build connections that will allow me to continue working in Japan!
Shout out: So many people in the ALC Japanese Department have guided me and supported me in my language learning journey, all of which have amounted to incredible experiences and opportunities that I don’t think I would’ve been able to achieve alone. I was able to participate in the Critical Language Scholarship Program where I experienced parts of Japanese culture like the Tea Ceremony. I was able to go to Chicago to participate in a Japanese Speech Contest where I with two other UW-Students proudly represented UW-Madison and it’s Japanese Department. I was also able to get into the JET program and also receive job offers that will persist until I come back from JET. Special thanks to Shimizu先生, Nakakubo先生, Hara先生, and Charo先生!
Stay in touch: LinkedIn
Angela Glowacki
Interest: I started watching a lot of Chinese dramas during quarantine and decided to enroll in First Semester Chinese in the following semester. I found that I really enjoyed learning the language, and I started taking other Chinese studies courses too. Soon after, I declared Chinese as my second major!
First class: My first class was First Semester Chinese with Zhang Laoshi. Despite it being virtual, it really felt to me that there was a solid camaraderie among everyone in the class. Then, in Second Semester Chinese, it was nice to see familiar faces in that section. I think that’s a cool thing about language classes, since we all struggle together and see one another improve over semesters.
Inspiration: Even if you aren’t sure you want to commit to a major or certificate, just enroll in one language course or culture course. It’s not a contract, you’ll still get a lot out of it, and you may even make some new friends (I’ve found that stressing over vocab quizzes and oral exams really brings people together).
Activities: I started working as a Writing Fellow last semester. I wish I had applied earlier, because it has been a great experience. I’ve gotten to improve my own writing and revising skills, while also developing tutoring skills.
Memory: In one of my Chinese language classes, a bunch of us got together at the end of the semester to go eat hot pot. It was so fun to hang out with everyone! I’ve never done that with any of my other classes, so it felt really special.
Future: I have been very fortunate to be offered a Ministry of Education 2023 Taiwan Scholarhip to pursue a master’s degree in Taiwan. I will be attending National Chengchi University in Taipei to pursue a degree in Asia-Pacific Studies. I am so excited for this opportunity and look forward to continuing my studies in East Asian culture!
Stay in touch: LinkedIn
Bingxian Lin
Interest: I am from China in Asia, and although I came to the United States to study, I still feel tied and connected there. I initially wanted to study some Japanese language and culture in college out of interest, but I realized that understanding Asian culture, language, and society from an American or Western perspective was something I had never experienced before, and I was deeply fascinated by it. After that, I knew that ALC was the place for me.
First class: My first class was ASIALANG 113 with Ito-sensei, the most basic 2-credit Japanese class, not even the usual 103 that most people take. Although I don’t remember the exact content of the class, I can say that it was the true beginning of my Japanese and East Asian studies. Learning a new language opened a new window that allowed me to see a broader perspective.
Inspiration: First, take the classes you want to take and learn the things you want to learn. Interest is always the best teacher. The second thing is to try something outside of your interests. I don’t mean to force you to take a class, but to encourage you to explore new areas that are unfamiliar to you, because you will often find new interests and motivations, or at least broaden your insights. Finally, LANGUAGE! Believe me, learning a new language is the best place to start because it allows you to communicate directly with people from different cultures and backgrounds and get feedback from them. Language is the most direct tool for breaking down cultural and communication barriers, and you will benefit from this skill for the rest of your life.
Activities: Since I’m not much of an activities person, I can only tell you about some of the resources and opportunities you can use to further your learning and language skills: All professors’ office hours are excellent ways to improve your understanding of knowledge and broaden your perspective of the world, so don’t be shy to go; Conversational Table is definitely the best place to practice speaking and cross-cultural communication, and I’ve been attending it basically every week for the past two years; GUTS also has a lot of resources that offer language communication skills, whether you’re an international student who wants to practice speaking English or just want to practice any foreign language you’re learning. Pay more attention to the emails sent to you by the department, there will be a lot of interesting activities, lectures, internships and opportunities that can be a turning point in your life. Finally, I highly recommend the study abroad programs offered by the university (including all East Asian countries as far as I know), although I didn’t make it because of Covid, which is sad, it will really be a very valuable experience for you.
Memory: First, I met many teachers at ALC who profoundly influenced my life, including many Japanese teachers and TAs, as well as professors of East Asian culture, history, literature, and other subjects. I learned so much from their classes and office hours. Their knowledge and teaching provided me with indispensable support for my future studies and career. They taught me that studying is a never ending and never bad thing. I also appreciate all the peers I have met in class or at events at ALC, everyone I have talked to at the Conversation Table, everyone I have worked with in group work. ALC is the most unforgettable community I have ever been a part of and will always be connected to. I will definitely miss being here when I leave.
Future: After graduation, I will continue my studies of East Asian culture and society at a graduate school in Japan. I will take what I have seen and learned in Madison and at ALC and use it to my advantage in the new place. I will continue to keep an open mind, learn new languages and cultures, meet new people, and gain new perspectives as I have here. I hope that in the future I can make my own contribution to breaking down the barriers between people, collectives and societies. I wish us all a bright future.
Stay in touch: LinkedIn
Emma Kempf
Interest: The year before college, I studied abroad in Beijing and began learning Mandarin Chinese. When I came to UW, I found an amazing community in the ALC department and knew I wanted to major in Chinese!
First class: My first class was Chinese 201. What was most impactful were my teachers’ and my classmates’ efforts to teach and learn Chinese. Everyone created an inviting and encouraging atmosphere to learn and grow.
Inspiration: Get involved in ALC activities, language tables, and take the classes that most interest you!
Activities: I attended Chinese table, Chinese Language and Culture Club (CLACC) events, and found international internships with the International Internship Program (IIP).
Memory: I will always remember getting dumplings with friends after Chinese language table freshman year. It was how I made friends in the department and improved my language skills!
Future: I plan to move to Taiwan or Mainland China this fall/winter to teach English and improve my Chinese language skills.
Stay in touch: LinkedIn
Emily Masterson
Interest: I grew up learning Japanese from my mom and by attending Saturday Japanese school. I wanted to continue this in college.
First class: My first class was 5th semester Japanese. The most impactful class was Business Japanese where I learned how different cultural factors influence grammar, honorifics, and more in the business world.
Inspiration: In addition to taking the many interesting classes though the ALC department, be sure to explore different student organizations on campus that share similar interests as yours. Who knows, they may end up being in some of your ALC classes too!
Activities: I’ve been a part of the Japanese Student Association throughout my time at UW-Madison, serving as one of the presidents this year! Additionally, I love staying active and immersing myself in the outdoors which led to me to the Nordic Ski Team where I competed with other collegiate skiers, and the Hoofers Outing Club and was able to travel across the country backpacking, kayaking, etc. I’ve worked in the Hai Lab in the Biomedical Engineering Department for over 3 years where I’ve created minimally invasive devices to study neural function.
Memory: All the friendships I’ve made through the Japanese Student Association!
Future: I plan to be a research and development engineer for medical devices and I’m excited broaden my knowledge in this field. I hope to continue learning Japanese throughout my life to make professional connections as well.
Stay in touch: LinkedIn
Alexis Kwak
Interest: My Dad told me if I was going to learn a language to learn Chinese! The rest is history.
First class: ASIALANG 101 – how kind and understanding the ALC department professors are.
Inspiration: Jump in! It’s interesting to learn and the department is super supportive of its students.
Activities: The Association of Women in Agriculture, Pi Sigma Alpha, Sigma Alpha, Badger Dairy Club, CFB, and the Political Science Student Association
Memory: How much fun the community made learning the language!
Future: I will be entering the workforce in transportation logistics!
Stay in touch: LinkedIn
Yi Lu "Ace" Lo
Interest: As an incoming freshman at UW-Madison, I heard that the university was well-equipped with study abroad programs and foreign language courses for student. I decided to enroll in a mandarin class because I was interested in the culture and language. As a Hmong student, I knew we originated from China so I was very curious about our ancestral roots and history.
Classes: My first class was ASIALANG 111 that taught the latter half of first semester Chinese. The most impactful moment in this class was learning how to write Chinese characters and deciphering the meaning and pronunciation of each character through their individual components.
Inspiration: Come and explore unique opportunities with a growth mindset instead of memorizing what you’ve learned. Apply it to your personal life and take advantage of all the resources that are given to you.
Activities: Ever since I was a freshman, I have been an active member of the Chinese American Student Association and I had demonstrated leadership by serving as one of the finance chairs on the executive board during my Sophomore year. During my senior year, I took the chance to study abroad at National Taiwan University in Taipei, Taiwan and this international experience was transformative because it reinvigorated me to pursue my purpose and goals.
Memories: My best memory was engaging with students within the Chinese community through culture and language exchange.
Future: My plan for post-graduation is to seek my dream career in the music and entertainment industry that represents my Asian identity and values. One of my endeavors is to empower people to become a trailblazer in their own scope by challenging the status quo and uplift my own Asian communities by dismantling stereotypes and microaggressions. I still plan to continue my language study in mandarin and apply it to my prospective career whenever feasible and return to Asia to explore more about my background and other cultures.
Stay in touch: LinkedIn
Emily Olsem
Interest: I was able to take two Japanese language courses my senior year of high school at another university which was a really amazing experience. I was really inspired by my Japanese professor to continue studying and the connections I made through those classes really made me want to major in Japanese, so I knew UW-Madison was where I wanted to go.
Classes: My first class was ASIAN 255, which is Intro to East Asian Civilizations, with Professor Detwyler. I really love history, so I’m glad I got to experience this class in my first semester here at UW. His class was so interesting I decided to take his other class in the spring called Survey of Chinese Literature and ended up loving that class too. It is so hard to choose the class that was most impactful, but it was either Professor Mori’s Introduction to Japanese Linguistics or Professor Ridgely’s Japanese Literature course!
Inspiration: Explore a variety of classes in the ALC department! Of course take the courses that interest you, but you may be surprised by how much you enjoy learning about something that you never thought about before. The ALC department offers many great classes and has many teachers that are so hardworking and interested in your education. Even if you are slighted interested in a course, enroll in it!
Activities: My freshman year, I was able to live in the International Learning Community and was a part of Nihongo Hausu, the Japanese language house, in Adams Residence Hall and met so many amazing people that I am still friends with today. I have also taken part in JSA events and was a tutor with GUTS’s Conversational English program. Also, I was a part of the Kakehashi Project with a group of students this last fall and got to travel to Japan.
Memories: I think my favorite memories from my time at UW-Madison will be the weekly dinners, game nights, and other get togethers with the members of the ILC and Nihongo Hausu. It was such a welcoming and amazing experience to be a part of this group, especially in my freshman year, which really pushed me to be confident in finding friends in my classes with other ALC students!
Future: I was recently accepted into the JET Program, so I will be heading to Japan in a few months to teach English as an Assistant Language Teacher. After my time with the JET Program, I hope to come back to Wisconsin and earn my Master’s Degree in ESL, or possibly find a job that deals with Japanese translation or something similar. I am so excited to see where my life takes me!
Stay in touch: LinkedIn
Brian Putra
Interests: I liked Japanese music, so I took several Japanese classes and found modern Japanese literature to be really fun.
First Class: The first class I took was 3rd Semester Japanese. I think the most impactful class was Modern Japanese Literature with Prof. Steve Ridgely.
Recommendation: I didn’t really think too much before deciding to major in Japanese and just went for it. If you enjoy the classes, just go for it!
Activities: I helped organize Kaiwa no Kai (the Japanese conversation table) for a year. That gave me lots of extra practice speaking Japanese, and was really helpful for my language classes.
Future: I will be going to grad school for nuclear fusion after graduation. I hope to be able to become a scientist in the future.
Stay in touch: LinkedIn
Eleanor (Ellie) Scheirey
Interest: I’ve been taking Chinese (Mandarin) since middle school and then continued all throughout high school. I had the opportunity to go to China for 2 weeks back in high school and I absolutely loved it. I knew going into college that I wanted to keep studying Chinese.
Classes: I remember not doing well on the placement test because I wasn’t taught how to write many characters in high school, so I was put in the beginner class at UW-Madison. It was extremely easy because I had already learned the vocab and basic sentences patterns but it made me grateful for everything that I had learned. The most impactful thing was the welcoming, positive, and supportive environment in the classroom, including the teachers and other students.
Inspiration: It’s hard work but totally worth it! The teachers are there to challenge you but they are really there to support you. I would also advise going to the weekly language tables because it really helps being able to apply the language we learn in the classroom to outside conversations.
Activities: ALC Peer Mentor, GUTs conversational English tutor, GUTs world language learner for Chinese tutee. Tutored a 6th grader in Chinese virtually.
Memory: A memory that I will always have is attending the language tables on Fridays and being amazed at how fluent everyone sounds talking together.
Future: I want to go to China and teach English there for a few years. I would love to continue to volunteer my time tutoring others in English or Chinese. I hope to use Chinese where ever I end up.
Stay in touch: LinkedIn
Iris Bloede
Interest: I grew up learning Japanese and I wanted to continue my studies in college!
First Class: My first class was 5th semester Japanese. The most impactful was Advanced Japanese through Audio-Visual Media. So much fun!
Recommendation: There are so many niche and interesting classes, so explore all of them and don’t hesitate to enroll! Getting involved in related student orgs is also a great way to meet people who have similar interests in ALC studies and topics 🙂
Activities: I’ve been in the Japanese Student Association since freshman year and I’ve served as a board member for the last two years. I would highly recommended attending JSA events, not just for the yummy food and fun activities, but also for the welcoming atmosphere and great people 🙂 In terms of jobs, I’ve worked in a few research labs on campus, one of which I will be staying on with post-graduation, and I was also a summer fellow for the Department of Natural Resources through the SWSDIP program.
Memories: The close friendships I’ve made through JSA 🙂
Future: I intend to continue my work in natural resources and I hope to attend grad school at some point! I am excited for all of the different directions I could go after I graduate!
Stay in touch: LinkedIn
Cole Gransee
Interest: I was initially interested in learning Japanese because I wanted to study abroad in Japan and I had an interest in the Japanese video game industry.
First Class: The first class I remember was first semester Japanese and the most impactful was second semester Japanese. The class was so interesting and enjoyable to be in that it convinced me to follow the entire language path and pursue a certificate.
Recommendation: Make friends in your classes as they will likely be your classmates and partners in the following classes. Learning a new language is hard so don’t put too much pressure on yourself and enjoy the journey.
Activities: I took part in the virtual Kakehashi event which was a very fun experience. It was amazing being able to speak with Japanese college students.
Memory: Eating Japanese candy that the professors would bring with my friends in class. All the interesting conversations I was able to have with different students while learning the language. Also, I will remember all of my professors who made learning the language such an enjoyable process for me.
Future: I plan to continue studying Japanese. As a remote Software Engineer I hope to travel to Japan often and fully immerse myself in the language and culture.
Stay Connected: LinkedIn
Thekla Ketcher
Interest: As someone who is Chinese, I grew up with the Chinese language but did not learn it in a formal academic setting and wanted to improve my speaking and writing skills. Since my high school did not have Chinese as an option, I decided that when I went to college, I would dedicate more time to Chinese and take the opportunity to learn more about it and the history surrounding the language.
First Class: The first class I took was Chinese third semester. The most impactful part of the class was the teacher and TA; the TA was very inspiring in that though English was his first language, his Chinese also seemed like it could be his first language. Having a TA passionate about Chinese and teaching students was encouraging to see and made the class much more engaging. In addition, the students in Chinese class were always down to earth and really easy to talk with; it felt like a little community.
Recommendation: I would say if they were deciding whether or not to major within ALC to just go for it. Majoring anything related to the ALC department will only help you — the opportunities that arise from being an ALC major has been one of the most rewarding experiences during my time here at UW-Madison. I found that most of the classes I enjoyed and felt like I was learning something were related to my Chinese major.
Activities: During my four years at UW-Madison, I have been part of the Taekwondo Club. While taekwondo is more associated with the Korean culture, I have met many friends and members of the club whose native language is Chinese or are learning Chinese as their second language. As a result, I have been able to practice my Chinese as well as share the Chinese culture with people from all kinds of backgrounds, in which this has helped me with my academic experiences as I am able to practice Chinese with others, and occasionally share the ALC community with others.
Memories: One good memory I have from the Chinese community was when our TA, Ma Laoshi, had created a rap song in Chinese. It was a great way to take a break from academics, while also being able to still incorporate Chinese. I remember everyone was really impressed and it brought smiles to everyone’s face. It was moments like these where I was reminded why I valued the ALC department so much as a student.
Future: I hope to attend graduate school to pursue a career in government law enforcement.
Stay in touch: LinkedIn
December 2022
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Aniya Schwoerer
BA, Asian Languages & Cultures – East Asian Studies, with a Certificate in Teaching English as a Second Language
Interest: In Elementary school, I had a teacher from South Korea who introduced me to her culture and inspired me to take up learning the language. Doing so reminded me of our time together, and later helped me form a community of fellow language learners who supported me throughout my time in university.
First Class: The first class I took with the ALC department was a summer intensive Korean language course with Professor Seunggon Jeong. It was the first class I took as a transfer student at UW Madison, and through it I met some of my lifelong friends.
Recommendations: While the ALC department may be small in comparison to others, there are so many benefits to this. They have built a strong, welcoming community, and by taking classes, attending events, and participating in different opportunities the department offers, you form connections that can lead to even greater opportunities later on.
Activities: With my friends, I helped co-found the 한국어 “해피 아워” (Korean Happy Hour) club. I also worked for the ALC department as a Korean Peer Tutor and volunteered at the Korean Language Table. Additionally, I participated in the GUTS WLL and LE tutoring programs, teaching English in exchange for Korean lessons. Finally, I was a member of the newly formed 사랑채 (Korean) Language House as part of living in the ILC resident hall this semester.
Memories: One memory I will take away from my time with the ALC was my first end of semester gathering. We all met at a park and contributed dishes from our home countries that led to a delicious, diverse spread. Because it began to rain, we had to take shelter inside the pavilion. This ended up being a blessing as it pushed me to speak with staff and students I had never spoken to before. It also allowed me to catch up with those I had not spoken to in a while. These small moments that fostered connections were so critical for me feeling like I had a community I belonged to, and I often relied on these connections later on when searching for opportunities that would help me progresses in my education and career goals.
Future: Through Fulbright, I hope to teach English abroad in South Korea for a year before returning to UW Madison to complete my masters’ degree. After that, I will continue my ESL work in the greater Madison area.
Martin Strey
Interest: As a result of my Dad’s military service, I lived in Okinawa, Japan for three years when I was growing up. When I started high school back in the US, I decided to take Chinese as my foreign language due to my interest in East Asian culture (and the high school not offering Japanese). I ended up having a great teacher who further sparked my interest and inspired me to continue studying Chinese language and culture through college.
First Class: ASIALANG 101 was the first class that I took in the department. After taking a year off from studying Chinese due to scheduling conflicts, I was excited to be able to study the language again. The most impactful thing I took away from this class was the relationships with other students interested in studying Chinese. It gave me a network of individuals that I could practice speaking, reading, and writing with as well as making a few new friends with a similar interest.
Recommendations: Learning a language or studying a culture can be a very daunting task because it is something you are unfamiliar with. However, putting yourself in a situation that you find uncomfortable is necessary for you to grow as a student, learner, and person. You will take many of the lessons and perspectives you gain while studying a foreign culture/language with you regardless of where your career journey takes you.
Activities: One of my greatest commitments during my time at UW was my involvement as a student-athlete. As a member of the football team, I learned to balance the rigorous demands of study and sport while pursuing multiple degrees and a foreign language certificate. In addition, I am involved with the UW Hillel as a way to stay connected to my religious values and meet people with a similar identity to my own. Lastly, I am avid member of Badgers Give Back, which is an organization that allows student-athletes to leverage their platforms and give back to the community that serves them.
Memories: One of the best memories I have from my time with the UW-Madison ALC community was at the end of the 2022 spring semester when a large group from my ASIALANG 454 class celebrated the completion of the semester by going to the Taste of Sichuan restaurant. It was a great experience to enjoy Chinese cuisine with a group of friends whom had all studied the Chinese language together for multiple semesters.
Future: After graduation in December, I plan to return to UW-Madison to pursue a Master of Science in Sports Leadership. While I am unsure what career I want to pursue following my time at university, I know that I have set myself up for success with a diverse set of knowledge led by my involvement in learning the Chinese language and culture. I hope to continue studying Chinese post-graduation and eventually take a trip to China.
Get Connected: LinkedIn
Choua Thao
Interest: I really enjoyed Spanish in high school, so I wanted to try something new when I came into college. I was actually taking a Spanish course at the same time I took my first Japanese course. I fell in love with Japanese and decided to pursue my studies on it.
First Class: The first class I remember taking in the ALC department was ASIALANG 103, first semester Japanese. I just remember the professors and TAs being super supportive and attentive.
Recommendation: Take a language course!
Activities: I was involved with GUTS, and I tutored both English and Japanese. This program gave me the opportunity to give back to the language learning community and got me off my feet. I met interesting people of all backgrounds and got to learn lots of new things. This also gave me the opportunity to review the materials that I should already know.
Memory: I think connecting deeply with the ALC community over the years of my undergrad is most memorable for me. Everyone is so kind and supportive. If not for these people, I don’t think I would have come this far.
Future: No matter where I end up, I want to continue using Japanese. I also look forward to learning other languages and cultures!
Anna Widiker
Interest: I took a Chinese language class in 8th grade and absolutely loved it. As I went further in high school, I realized that I wanted to incorporate Chinese language into my future career, and I wanted it to be something that I could continue to learn about
Classes: I placed into the second year, second semester Chinese (ASIALANG 202) my freshman year. What I remember most about this class and every other class that I have taken in the department was how much I was able to learn from these classes. They were completely different from any other class I had taken. The teachers wanted to teach students the language and confidence in speaking a new language.
Recommendations: I would tell incoming freshmen exploring a major of certificate in the ALC department to go for it! I would tell them that the classes that the ALC department offers have been some of my favorite classes, and the ones where I was able to get to know the instructors better than in my other classes
Activities: I was in CLACC for three years, one of which I was co-president. This gave me a closer look into the ALC community and how hard they work to ensure that students feel included and that they support them in any way they can.
Memories: One memory that I will take with me from being a part of the UW- Madison Chinese and ALC community would be the dumpling night in the fall of 2019. It was the first major club event in CLACC, and I really enjoyed how excited people were and how everyone came together to eat dumplings! It was the first instance where I saw how close people were within the ALC community.
Future: I am looking to teach ESL in Chengdu, China once I get my TEFL certification!
Stay in touch: LinkedIn
May 2022
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Sara Montez
BA, Political Science and Asian Languages & Cultures – East Asian Studies
Interest: When I came to UW, I intended to study Korean to help support my goals in Political Science as I wanted to work in US-North Korean diplomacy. However, it only took a semester to find out that I loved learning about East Asian culture and history, leading me to branch out from only Korean language into the other offerings in our department.
Classes: The first class I took was Asian 225, Intro to East Asian Civilizations, which I loved so much that I easily decided to switch my second major from history to Asian Languages and Cultures. The most impactful class I took was Asian 600, Japanese Ghost Stories. Although my interests are more in Korea and China, this class really sparked my love for folklore and ghost stories, something I hope to carry on studying post-graduation.
Recommendations: Don’t limit yourself to classes you feel like you need to take for credit or requirements. Take what interests you, and really try to explore your interests and options within the department even if it’s outside your comfort zone!
Activities: On campus I was a member of the ALC Undergraduate council for 2 years and a peer mentor for 1. I also have spent the last 2 years tutoring students at Madison West High in Korean, which has been a fulfilling and enlightening experience!
Memories: I took our intensive second year Korean course the summer before sophomore year, and although it definitely was difficult at times, I was able to become close with some really great people. One of my best memories is going out to eat at a local Korean restaurant with some of classmates towards the end of the summer, and also the time our TA Jihye took our class to karaoke!
Future: In the future I hope to go to grad school, and will spend the summer researching and deciding on programs! As I have two very different majors that enjoy equally, I’m currently split between attending law school to pursue international law, or continuing with my ALC degree and studying Korean or Chinese folklore (specifically ghost stories/strange tales) and art history.
Julia Nawa
BA, Asian Languages & Cultures and Japanese
Interest: I started taking Japanese classes to try and relearn Japanese so I could speak to my obaachan living in Japan. Over time, I was spending more and more time on Japanese over other classes, and I wasn’t able to take the classes I wanted to because of COVID, so I changed my major to focus on Japanese.
Classes: My first class that I took was 2nd Semester Elementary Japanese (ASIALANG 114) Though I spoke Japanese as a kid, I hadn’t spoke in about 10 year so getting a refresher in what I already knew was great! The most impactful class was Advanced Japanese: Audio/Visual Media (ASIALANG 452) because it connected my previous major, Communication Arts, and Japanese to be able to evaluate and talk about visual/audio media in an opinionated fashion!
Recommendations: Confidence is key when learning a language. It is still something I am learning, but being confident in your own skills and being an active participant in your learning is what is going to help you succeed! Believe in yourself because you’re doing great!
Activities: I’ve been a part of the Japanese Student Association’s executive board for three years! I was a part of the Communications and Social Media team before I became the External Co-President!
Memories: My biggest takeaway from being a part of the UW-Madison ALC and Japanese community is the people that I was able to meet. Being a part of JSA, I was able to outreach and connect even further with my community and I would like to think I made a difference in my time at UW. I am also extremely grateful for my senpai(s) for giving me tools and advice that really helped me to get to where I am today.
Future: As of right now, I don’t have any solid plans, but I am planning to either work in Japanese-English communication for a live entertainment company or go to graduate school to further my education to effectively be able to communicate globally!
Connect: LinkedIn
Garrett Sprouse
BBA, Information Systems, International Business, and Risk Management & Insurance in the Business School, with certificate in Japanese Professional Communication
Interest: I originally took Japanese in high school to be in class with some friends and found that I really enjoyed it and wanted to continue studying it as well as getting my major in International Business
Classes: The first class I took in the department was E ASIAN 124 (Elementary Japanese). The most impactful class that I took was ASIALANG 376 (Japanese Conversation) even though it was online due to the pandemic I learned a lot of valuable lessons and got lots of practice to improve my Japanese speaking ability.
Recommendations: If you are at all interested in taking something within the ALC just go for it. Helping expand your perspective by taking a foreign language and learning about a new culture is an invaluable skill in our ever evolving world and all of the staff within the ALC are more than willing to help you with whatever you may come to them with.
Activities: I worked at Carson’s market for all four years here on campus. I began as a team member but I have been a student shift lead since fall 2020. I have also been an officer in the anime club for the last year and have been a regular member of the RMIS (Risk Management and Insurance Society) since I added it as a major.
Memories: Even when I would be stressed out about other classes, work, etc. I always enjoyed coming in to all of my Japanese classes. Taking a number of classes with the same people throughout my time in the program really helped to build a sense of community that I missed in some of my other larger programs.
Future: I am currently looking for jobs now and am planning to take some time off immediately after graduation. Once I get going again I am planning on getting into insurance underwriting of IT consulting and want to work for a global company so that I can eventually start working with a global team at some point and maybe get to travel.
Connect: LinkedIn
Kelly Luu
BS, Nutritional Sciences in the College of Agriculture & Life Science, with an additional major in Asian
Languages & Cultures, and certificates in Global Health and Chinese Professional Communication
Interest: I wanted to work on my Chinese skills and take classes that helped me learn about my cultural background.
Classes: Third Semester Chinese and Introduction to East Asian Studies. Most impactful: Southeast Asian Refugees of the Cold War.
Recommendations: The department has such a wide breadth of different courses you can take, so there is definitely something that will spark your interest! Take advantage of the opportunity to take classes in a whole department dedicated to Asian Studies, especially my education prior to college lacked representation about Asian countries and culture.
Activities: alpha Kappa Delta Phi, Vietnamese Student Association, Union of Vietnamese Student Associations – Midwest, Worked as a pharmacy technician
Memories: All of the Chinese classes I have taken
Future: I will be pursuing a Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) at the University of Minnesota – Twin Cities
Connect: LinkedIn
Daryan Schultz
BA, Asian Languages & Cultures and Japanese, with certificate in Teaching English as a Second Language
Interest: My interest in Japan started when I was still in elementary school, which eventually led me to studying abroad in Japan for a year as a high schooler. After I studied abroad, I couldn’t see myself studying anything else so that’s what led me to my decision to major in Japanese, and then also East Asian Studies here at UW Madison.
Classes: My first semester I was in a FIG that dealt with Japan, and because of that my first semester here was full of classes in the ALC department and they all impacted onto me that is just how much is there is to learn about this area of study, and also the passion of those instructors. I didn’t grow up with many people enjoying the same things I did, so when I first got to UW Madison and took classes taught by people and with people who loved the same things I did it felt amazing.
Recommendations: Just try it out! There are thankfully so many classes that overlap with your gen eds, you can really get a feel for what you’re getting into before you commit.
Activities: I was in Nihongo House within International Learning Community my first two years of school, and also participated in many JSA events over my time here at UW Madison.
Memories: A memory I will take with me from being part of the UW-Madison ALC/Chinese/Japanese community is from the summer between my freshmen and sophomore year (summer 2019) when I took the intensive summer Japanese courses. Although the class schedule was tough, I made so many friends and acquaintances in those classes that I ran into again and again throughout the years in different ALC related classes. It really helped build a sense of community within the program for me, and we all suffered through those 8 weeks together which was super fun and challenging.
Future: I will be moving to Chiba, Japan this August to start my job as a ALT with the Wisconsin-Chiba ALT program. After teaching for a few years I hope to go back to grad school for TESOL or perhaps Library and Information Sciences.
Amanda Goldstein
BSES, Education Studies, School of Education, with Global Health and Chinese Professional Communication certificates
Interest: I took Mandarin in high school and was always fascinated in learning another language and culture, so continuing to study Chinese in college seemed like an amazing choice! At first I was nervous the classes would be too difficult, so I didn’t sign up freshmen year. However, when sophomore year came around, I knew I needed to take Chinese and I am so glad I did! With the support of all of my classmates and professors, taking Chinese was definitely doable and not frightening at all!
Classes: The first class I took was first semester Chinese. I remember watching a video in Mandarin about making friends and the professor had our whole class sing along. It was super cute! This class was just good vibes all around, and every day in class I would be smiling and laughing along while studying and improving my Chinese communication skills.
Recommendations: You should 100% do it! Earning a certificate in the ALC department was one of the best college decisions I’ve ever made and made my college experience so much more fun! Asides from having an amazing time in all of these classes, they’ve truly came to benefit me in all of my graduate school/job searching endeavors. It’s usually one of the first things an employer will ask me about when they see on my resume. I would also be more than happy to talk about my experiences with any incoming freshmen who is considering 🙂
Activities: During my junior and senior year of college, I worked at Mansfield Hall, which is a residential building for diverse college students. I learned so much about different students needs in college, which then came to support my own academic experience!
Memories: I will take away the memory of forming strong friendships in the department with students and faculty alike!
Future: I am excited to share that I will be moving to Chicago in August to attend Rush University and receive my masters in Speech-Language Pathology!
Connect: LinkedIn
Andrea Francesca
BBA, Marketing, School of Business with an additional major in Chinese
Interest: As an Indonesian of Chinese descent, I’ve always had an interest in Chinese. I enjoyed practicing Chinese with my grandma and I studied Chinese in middle and high school too. I never got to learn the foundation for Chinese very well during middle and high school, so I wanted to take the opportunity at UW to build the proper foundations.
Classes: Chinese 1 with Zhang Tianlu laoshi is the first class I remember in the department. It really set the tone for the rest of the Chinese classes at UW. I truly felt that the Chinese department is very welcoming and Chinese classes feel like home to me more than other classes of other departments. I think ASIALANG 378: Chinese Conversation was the most impactful class for me. I wasn’t a very strong Chinese speaker, but this class pushed me to be more confident in delivering presentations in Chinese and talk about various topics.
Recommendations: Take the opportunity to immerse yourself in the language beyond the classroom, you’ll find yourself learning more and enjoying the language you’re learning even more. I personally love watching Chinese dramas because I learn a lot of colloquial words and also understand how words I learned in class are used in the daily/media context. If you have another major aside from any language major, make sure each of your semesters have a mix of both your main major + the language major. It keeps things fun!
Activities: I have been working for Rachel Weiss these past two semesters as the ALC social media intern and I learned a lot through this internship by familiarizing myself with social media, design, and e-mail marketing. This helped me with my digital marketing courses.
Memories: In the start of the pandemic at summer 2020, I was stuck in Madison and couldn’t go back to Jakarta, my hometown. I spent that summer taking 3rd and 4th Chinese and a Chinese literature class. Those classes allowed me to meet my classmates everyday for a few hours for partner work, and I made meaningful conversations with different people that summer.
Future: I will be spending about a year or so in the US to find a job relating to my major in Marketing. Even if I will be mostly focusing on my career in business/marketing for these next few years, I hope to find time to study Chinese in China someday!
Connect: LinkedIn
Dominic Ritacco
BS, Biochemistry, College of Agriculture & Life Sciences, with an additional major in Chinese
Interest: I was fortunate enough that my school district began teaching foreign languages starting in sixth grade. I decided to learn Chinese since it was so different than English and I knew it would be a great skill to have. I was immediately enthralled with Chinese languages and cultures and continued to take classes throughout high school and into college.
Classes: I vividly remember that the first class of my college career was E Asian 201. Before class, I was nervous because I didn’t know anyone in the program; however, almost immediately my classmates introduced themselves and we all quickly became friends. Even into Senior year, I continue to talk to and take classes with some of the friends I met in that class.
Recommendations: I could not recommend taking Asian Languages and Cultures classes enough. The instructors are extremely nice and they all want you to succeed. Explore as much as you can!
Activities: I attended Chinese tables hosted by CLACC, and some of their other amazing events. I lived in the Biohouse learning community my Freshman year and was also involved with Badger Volunteers.
Memories: It is hard to narrow down one specific memory because I had so many within the ALC community. However, one thing I will never forget was that on Friday mornings in my conversational Chinese course, our whole class, including our TA would start off with Tai-chi or other Chinese mediations.
Future: Next year I will be attending Columbia University’s Microbiology and Immunology PhD program. I hope to pursue a career in research and utilize both my Biochemistry and Chinese majors!
Reena Samuel
BA, Chinese and Economics major, College of Letters & Science
Interest: I’ve always wanted a career in international trade and taking Chinese Language seemed like the best option!
Classes: My first class was ASIALANG 101 with Tianlu Zhang!! I loved her energy and commitment to teaching us Chinese!! Seeing so many of my peers become excited to learn encouraged me to as well.
Recommendations: Learning a language is tough but so rewarding. You got this!
Memories: Participating in the Tianjin Summer Intensive Program was a blast. It felt like language immersion.
Future: I hope to continue my studies of Chinese and obtain a job in which I can communicate with Chinese people often.
Connect: LinkedIn
Christy Zheng
BS, Asian Languages & Cultures – Honors in the major, Biology, Honors in the Liberal Science, with certificates in Chinese Professional Communication, Asian American Studies, Biocore Curriculum Honors, College of Letters & Science
Interest: I was interested in studying an Asian Languages & Culture in college because I was never given the opportunity to do so prior to coming to Madison. I wanted to learn more about my own language and culture in a classroom with professors who were expert in this field.
Classes: The first class I remember was learning Chinese in ASIALANG 101 with Zhang Laoshi. It was the most impactful experience I had because it taught me that learning a language can be hard but so enjoyable when you’re learning with your peers and friends. Zhang Laoshi and my classmates inspired me to continue learning and practicing Chinese.
Recommendations: Try anything! Rather you have some or a lot of interest in studying Asian Languages and Cultures, you’ll be surprised how much you’ll learn and love about a major or certificate in the ALC department.
Activities: Chinese Language and Culture Club
Memories: All of the memories, happy tears, and laughs about learning Chinese in this community with friends, peers, and instructors.
Future: In the future, I hope to continue practicing Chinese and using my knowledge in anything I pursue.
Ben Krongard
BS, Education Studies, School of Education with additional majors in Chinese and History
Interest: I studied Mandarin in high school and figured I would take the placement test and try out at least one class in college. I really enjoyed my experience in that class and decided to keep studying it throughout college.
Classes: Second semester Chinese, just getting the chance to learn the language every day and being in such a small class with people that all cared about learning made it a really fulfilling and enjoyable experience.
Recommendations: Take a class and see if you like it! While I have no plans to use my Chinese language skills directly next year, I have zero regrets about studying the language and the culture. I have met so many great people, have felt challenged by the language, and at times overwhelmed, but ultimately it has been so satisfying to slowly make progress and learn so much about Chinese language and culture.
Activities: I played on the men’s soccer team and worked for a little bit at Four Lakes dining hall.
Memories: I remember my sophomore year my whole 3rd semester Chinese class went to taste of Sichuan together, it introduced me to a restaurant I’ve come to love and I had so much fun seeing my teachers and classmates outside of our normal classroom setting.
Future: I would like to teach history in the future, but if it is possible I would love to teach Chinese also!
Connect: LinkedIn
Genevieve Connell
BA, Chinese, French, International Studies, with certificates in Development Economics, East Asian Studies, and European Studies, College of Letters & Science
Interest: I first started learning Chinese when I was in high school and was immediately fascinated with the language and the culture. I wanted to know more, and I was very moved my my high school teacher who majored in Chinese at UW.
Classes: First semester Chinese was one of the very first classes I took in college and the staff and faculty was the absolute best. The teaching staff was wonderful!
Recommendations: Chinese is an extremely important language to learn. Although it’s very difficult to reach fluency in it, it is a lifelong path to go down, and it never gets boring. It also looks really good on a résumé.
Activities: I worked as well as participated in a variety of school sports and academic clubs including Chinese table each Friday. That was a great way to become closer with my classmates and friends within the department.
Memories: Big Zhang laoshi’s hearty laugh that would shake his shoulders. He recently retired after a long and meaningful 20 years running the department. Evening Chinese lectures were long and sometimes hard to endure especially during a rough week, but Zhang Laoshi never failed to make us laugh.
Future: I would really like to teach English abroad in China and in the future work in the Foreign Service to improve diplomatic relations between China and the US.
Elaina Radden
BA, Asian Languages & Cultures – East Asian Studies, with certificate in Japanese Professional Communication, College of Letters & Science
Interest: I studied Japanese language in high school and taught myself Korean during that time as well and really fell in love with both languages. As I learned more about those cultures, I became enamored with East Asian cinema and music in particular and wanted to pursue some kind of East Asian focused major in college. So once I got into UW I enrolled in as many culture, history, art history, literature, and other associated classes as I could. Studying at UW has deepened a love for East Asia that was only blossoming when I first came to Madison.
Classes: Japanese 124, I think. It was an elementary Japanese class where I ended up meeting one of my closest friends and got to know a lot of people in the same major.
Recommendations: Don’t be afraid to ask questions or talk to your professors or TAs. The faculty in the ALC department are by far some of the easiest people to talk to in any department in my opinion. Your love of all things Asian culture, language, etc. are shared if not lived and breathed by your professors and TAs. Rachel Weiss is a super chill advisor, too.
Activities: I wasn’t a part of many organizations or clubs, but I worked and interned a lot. Over these last 4 years I spent a good portion of my time working at the Chazen Museum of Art as a Visitor Services Assistant. While there I made lots of friends, learned so much about art, history, and the community, and came to realize that I am obsessed with Japanese Ukiyo-e. I even got to momentarily work on translating some Ukiyo-e prints that came to the museum; the Suikoden series by Yoshitoshi. Aside from working, I interned at 2 Japanese companies: Asterism Healthcare and JR Central. I did also land an internship with ANA but it was canceled due to COVID. The internships that I did end up doing were both virtual and had me doing everything from translation, communications, marketing, and PR. It was a great way to experience Japanese business culture and apply my skills gained in the classroom.
Memories: In my first 2 years I lived in the Japanese language house, which is one of the many language houses in the Adam’s dormitory. While there I met so many friends who were in the same major and/or classes as me. We went to events together, spoke Japanese together, and supported one another. I remember when I was a freshman I entered the Japanese speech contest and lots of my friends from the Japanese house came to support me. While I didn’t win, I received so much support from the professors and TA’s who were there, as well as my friends. It’s an embarrassing but great memory.
Future: My dream is to live and work in either Japan or Korea. For now, I am planning to go to Japan after graduation. I want to keep studying for another year or so, and then apply for jobs in both Japan and Korea. I am really interested in administration and am eyeing some jobs in the government sector as well.
Connect: LinkedIn
Nils Peterson
BA, Chinese and History, College of Letters & Science
Interest: I became fascinated with Chinese history and the language classes naturally followed.
Classes: When it was my turn to speak in virtual first semester Chinese, my building’s fire alarm went off and I had to evacuate.
Recommendations: I made some of my closest friends through taking Chinese classes and studying East Asia. It is a lot of work but well worth studying such as fascinating part of the world!
Activities: I served as an editor for the Wisconsin International Review and wrote several articles for the publication. In addition, I interned at the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change, focusing on Chinese foreign policy.
Memories: I will always remember seeing my classmates faces for the first time without a mask. The sense of community in the ALC over the pandemic will be a lasting memory.
Future: I hope to work on United States foreign policy, with a focus on China. After the pandemic abates, it would be great to spend time studying in China and Taiwan.
Connect: LinkedIn
Xinya Wang
BS, Asian Languages & Cultures – East Asian Studies and Economics, College of Letters & Science
Interest: Love K-pop.
Classes: ASIALANG 105, and was determined to declare the major.
Recommendations: It’s worth a try!
Activities: UNICEF.
Memories: Patient professors, and nice classmates.
Future: Graduate School
Margaret Hope
BA, Asian Languages & Cultures, with French certificate, College of Letters & Science
Interest: I have always loved learning about other cultures and other languages more than anything. I have loved East Asian culture since I was incredibly young and have always enjoyed learning about the music, history, and pop culture of these countries.
Classes: My first class that I remembered was definitely my 3rd Semester Korean course (ASIALANG 205) and the most impactful class was definitely my ASIAN 300 Class on Korean Pop Culture.
Recommendations: I would say that East Asian Languages are hard, so you have to work extremely hard to progress.
Activities: Despite being in the Korean Flagship program for only one year, it was extremely helpful in my college experience because it gave me a chance to form stronger relationships with the professors in my department.
Memories: I will definitely cherish the friends that I have been able to meet and bond with over our mutual stress and triumphs in our classes.
Future: I hope to teach in Korea after I graduate and after that, I hope to get a job helping global companies communicate with each other or maybe someday work for the Olympic committee.
Josie Anderson
BA, Japanese and International Studies, College of Letters & Science
Interest: I was able to take Japanese language classes at my high school and briefly travel to Japan to stay with a host family, which further encouraged my growing interest in learning Japanese before I started college. Once I discovered that UW-Madison offers a Japanese program, I knew that I wanted to keep studying Japanese in college here. I realized that I wanted to pursue Japanese language learning on a deeper level and major in Japanese soon after I began taking Japanese classes here at UW-Madison. 🙂
Classes: The first ALC class that I took was First Semester Japanese. I felt that it added to my previous beginner Japanese knowledge from high school and solidified my foundational Japanese skills. The class included a mini speech contest near the end of the semester, which was a very new experience for me since I had never written and presented a speech in Japanese before.
Recommendations: I would strongly recommend taking at least one of the many amazing classes offered in the department – you can’t go wrong! All of the faculty are so wonderful and supportive, and I have learned a lot of valuable knowledge and skills from all of the classes I have been able to take as a Japanese major.
Activities: This year I volunteered as an ALC Peer Mentor, and also tutored a Madison-area middle school student and high school student online in Japanese. This year and last year, I participated in a few different Japanese/English conversation time events that were held both online and in person. Last summer, I completed an internship through the International Internship Program and worked as a virtual Japanese translation intern for a Japanese nutraceutical company. I worked at Union South during the 2020-21 school year, and the year before that I worked at the Babcock Hall Dairy Store. I have also participated in a handful of events hosted by JSA (the Japanese Student Association). All of these various activities have greatly enriched my undergraduate student experience.
Memories: I have gained a lot of special memories that I will always cherish, and one of these memories that I will take with me is of going to the Schuster’s Haunted Forest JSA event last October and having a great time getting spooked with friends.
Future: My first step in my post-graduation plan is to teach English in a high school in Chiba Prefecture, Japan as an Assistant Language Teacher starting later this summer. After at least one year of working as an ALT in Japan through the Chiba-WI ALT Program, I plan on pursuing Japanese translation work.
Nathaniel English
BA, Japanese and History, with certificates in Studio Art and Game Design, College of Letters & Science
Interest: Before coming to Madison, I knew that I wanted to try and study a language at the university. After considering the available options, I decided to try out an entry level Japanese course since I wanted to challenge myself with something new and believed that it fit well within my interests.
Classes: My first class with the ALC was First Semester Japanese. Despite the fact there were a great number of students in my lecture hour, I still felt like my professor and the course’s assistant instructors gave me an excellent amount of attention and help.
Recommendations: Personally, I would want to recommend trying a language course. I believe that the programs available at UW-Madison are stellar, and offer a great number of opportunities to become more interested in the outside world.
Activities: I lived in the International Learning Community for two years, and the ILC’s Japanese House for one. Aside from just deciding on where I lived on-campus, participating in the ILC allowed me to take exclusive classes and participate in special events, which I greatly appreciated.
Memories: I specifically remember one of my classmates from my first semester language course volunteering me to participate in a special video project that was not being graded. Since we were the only two students working on this assignment, I felt like I was stepping out of my comfort zone in a good way, even though I did not have much Japanese experience at the time.
Future: At the end of this summer I will be going to Chiba Prefecture to work as an Assistant Language Teacher in a Japanese high-school. I am excited by the idea of being able to help students in a similar way that my TAs have helped me over the past few years.
Vivienne Wooldridge
BSE, Elementary Education, School of Education, with an additional major
in Chinese, and East Asian Studies certificate
Interest: I’ve been taking Chinese classes since I was in elementary school, and wanted to continue growing my Chinese skills at UW. I’m hoping to use my skills to become a Chinese teacher and/or live abroad!
Classes: My first class in the ALC department was 5th semester Chinese, and my most impactful class was Introduction to East Asian Civilizations, because I learned so much valuable and contextual information about East Asian history. I also loved the class Queer Asia!
Recommendations: Go for it! The ALC has tons of amazing classes to choose from with lots of super interesting topics. And if you’re interested in languages, the ALC language classes are amazing! I have learned and grown so much through these classes.
Activities: This past year, I have been the ALC Chinese peer tutor, which has helped me keep up with my Chinese even after I’ve already finished taking classes for my Chinese major. I was also an intern for Guangwai-Pacelli High School in Guangzhou, where I advised Chinese high schoolers on going to college abroad. I found this opportunity through UW’s International Internship Program! In my freshman year, I also participated in the annual Midwest University Chinese Speech Contest, which helped me grow so much as a Chinese learner. One program that has also supported me in my studies is the Wisconsin International Scholars Program, which has pushed me to be a more globally-minded person.
Memories: Tianlu Zhang and Rachel Weiss have both been so supportive during my time at UW. Zhang Laoshi was so thoughtful and caring as a professor, especially as we have gone through the pandemic. She is an amazing professor! Rachel has shown and given me so many opportunities at UW and beyond, and I am so thankful for her guidance and support.
Future: After graduation, I will be going to Taiwan for a year to teach English through the Fulbright program. Once I come back from Taiwan, I would love to teach at a Chinese immersion school somewhere in the US!
Connect: LinkedIn
Senior Profiles
We are extremely proud of our graduates. As you can see from their profiles, the future looks bright for these Badgers, and the world. On, Wisconsin!
We asked all our seniors to reflect on these questions to create their senior profiles:
- How did you get interested in studying an Asian Language & Culture in college?
- What was your first class that you remember in our department, and what was most impactful?
- What would you say to an incoming freshman exploring a major or certificate in the ALC department?
- What activities were you involved with on campus that supported your academic experiences in the classroom (ie student orgs, clubs, internships, volunteering, jobs)?
- What is a memory that you will take with you from being a part of the UW-Madison ALC / Chinese / Japanese community?
- What are your hopes, plans, and dreams for the future?
Are you graduating? Want to add your profile? Please fill out this form: https://forms.gle/TXdn5S2auqbd1JXg8