Raven Showalter

Graduate Research Assistant
’16 Mary Baldwin University
Asian Studies
Favorite Word: ひかり

I first became interested in the Japanese language when I watched the animation "Sailor Moon" as a child. From that time forward, I studied Japanese culture extensively, becoming particularly interested in Kyoto and the Heian era of Japanese history. As I grew older, this interest developed further into a passion for learning about foreign cultures and languages beyond Japan. I have made many friends from South Korea and China, in particular, who have helped shape the globally-minded person I’ve become today. I chose my undergraduate university because of its Japanese language and Asian Studies major which required a semester abroad. I finally accomplished my lifelong dream during the fall of 2014, where I spent three months in Kyoto attending Doshisha Women's College of Liberal Arts. This time allowed me to greatly improve my Japanese speaking, reading and listening skills. It was also invaluable because it helped me to understand the ‘reality’ of Japan—a reality that is impossible to understand through only textbook or classroom experience.

In America, I am a citizen, but in Japan I was a foreigner. Having the experience of being a foreigner and relying on the Japanese language for every day living and study was especially challenging. However, this is probably to most important lesson that has shaped the kind of career I am pursing today. After I finish my Master’s in International Studies, I want to become someone who works alongside foreign students in the United States to ensure that they have as positive experience as possible. I want to foster in others a sense of global commonality and demonstrate the benefits of cross-cultural exchanges through education, travel and friendships. Without the opportunity to study the Japanese language and culture, none of my current life and career aspirations would be possible.