Class of 2017 - Double Major in Japanese & International Relations
Hi everyone! I’m Katie Watanabe, and I graduated from UC Davis with degrees in International Relations and Japanese. From my very first Japanese language instructional class in freshman year to completing my honors thesis in Japanese literature, the UC Davis EALC department has been a huge part of my academic, professional, and personal growth these past four years. I found an interest and passion in the Japanese language and literature classes, working as a course reader and writing a thesis on the history and literature of gender reform in Occupied Japan. I participated in JCHIP (Japanese Children’s Home Internship Program), where I worked at an orphanage-like home in Sendai, Japan. JCHIP was incredible--the privilege of meeting the children and working with them every day for a summer really inspired me to pursue my interests in social work and education in the future! I was also a Japanese Peer Advisor my senior year, which allowed me to plan events and work closely with students and staff. Joining the EALC department was the best choice I made here at Davis, and there are so many wonderful opportunities to take advantage of! Best of luck!