Michael Watts on his time in Kobe, Japan
I cannot believe it has been almost ten years since I first studied abroad. For many students, the idea of education abroad—or even going somewhere foreign—comes with it a myriad of thoughts, images, opportunities, misconceptions, and of course, challenges. I can say this educational experience has significantly influenced not only my career and life choices these last ten years, but it changed how I understand and interpret the world.
I graduated with my BA in International Affairs from Eastern Washington University (EWU). The study abroad program I participated in was a one-year Japanese language program at Kobe City University of Foreign Studies in Kobe, Japan. This program was great in that it allowed me to take Japanese language classes and other courses that focused on topics such as international business and global issues. The most influencing factor of this experience was simply the pure cultural immersion and living somewhere I was not used to; essentially, practicing the adage of “getting out of your comfort zone.” It is one thing to study a new language in a class setting. Yet, when you study language, you also study and learn about the culture and heritage of people. From this experience alone, I became increasingly interested in how people communicate. More specifically, how people communicate across cultures. So, after completing my undergraduate degree, I immersed myself again and taught English for a few years overseas. After gaining some work experience, I went back to school and got my master’s degrees in communication studies and public administration from EWU. Now, a lot has happened since I graduated, but one thing is for sure, all my life and career choices thus far have had a global and international focus that I credit to my first study abroad experience. For example, because of my international experience and interest in global studies, I was able to complete multiple internships with the U.S. Department of State. I learned a lot about U.S. sponsored educational exchange programs, foreign policy, and how the United States trains its foreign service professionals.
So, what am I doing now you may ask? Well, my life and career choices once again have been influenced by education abroad. I am now currently teaching at a university in Tokyo while working on my doctorate in global studies in education from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. As a current teacher and education practitioner, it is my goal to help students from all over the world understand the current issues, topics, and questions that bring us together. Ideally, to help foster a sense of global citizenship and community.
Finally, for those reading this, education abroad is more than just “a fun semester” overseas. It is a chance to learn a new language, gain independence, and develop cultural sensitivity. More importantly though, it allows for critical self-reflection and the questioning of deep held beliefs and your own positionality in the world. Take this as an opportunity to learn, grow, and become the best, most compassionate and tolerant person you can be. The world needs this now more than ever.
