Emily Kariya is a former OYR (’92-93) and an accomplished Japanese Language Teacher at Santa Monica High School in Southern California. She welcomed a combined ICU-JICUF team to her classes this past autumn as part of our September Admissions school visits. JICUF had the chance to follow up with her and learn about her own specific connections to Japan and ICU.

Japan ICU Foundation: Thank you for taking the time to speak with us, Emily! Could you start by telling us more about you and your background?

Emily Kariya: I was born and raised in the Venice area of Los Angeles to shin-issei Japanese parents, making me a shin-nisei. After graduating from Venice High School, I went on to study at UCLA, just a few miles away from my house.  I had visited UCLA since I was young, so I felt really comfortable there.

JICUF: How did you first become interested in Japan and the Japanese language?

EK: My parents are both from Japan. (My mother is from Ibaraki Prefecture. My father is from Wakayama Prefecture.) Therefore, I was fortunate to grow up using Japanese at home.  I also went to Japanese school on Saturdays for 10 years, which I enjoyed. I loved being with my friends.  Honestly, I didn’t really begin to get interested in Japan and it’s culture and language until I hit puberty. That’s when my cousin in Japan introduced me to Johnny’s Jimusho!  You can say that I am grateful to SMAP and Shonentai for teaching me the language and opening up a new aspect of Japanese culture for me.

JICUF: When did you learn specifically about ICU? How did you decide to study there?

EK: I didn’t choose ICU.  But I’m glad it was chosen for me. I went to study at ICU from 1992-1993 through the Education Abroad Program through UCLA and the UC system.

JICUF: Did you have any favorite classes or professors?

EK: I loved my Japanese classes at ICU. They were really detailed and challenging.  My Japanese language grew exponentially that year.

JICUF: Were you involved in any dorm/club activities or off-campus hobbies during your year at ICU?

EK: I stayed at First Women’s Dorm (1WD), which was like a sorority.  The friends I made at 1WD are still some of my closest friends. I loved 1WD!

JICUF: That’s nice to hear! Dorm life is a really special part of the ICU experience. What did you do after graduating from UCLA?

EK: I was selected for the Japan Exchange and Teaching (JET) Program, and served as a Coordinator for International Relations (CIR) with the Osaka Prefectural Government from 1994-1997.

JICUF: That’s great to have the JET connection. When did you first decide to become a Japanese language teacher?

EK: I have been teaching in some form since I was in junior high school.  From the 9th grade through 12th grade in high school, I was a paid after school peer tutor. I was also (and still am) a Dharma School teacher at my Buddhist temple on Sundays since I was 16. I like to say that I didn’t choose teaching. It chose me.  Becoming a Japanese teacher was a natural choice for me.

JICUF: How long have you been teaching at Santa Monica High School?

EK: Fourteen years.  How time flies!

JICUF: Indeed! Have you seen some of your students take an interest in studying in Japan?

EK: I have had several students study in Japan, whether just for a summer or actually attending a college in Japan.  It makes me proud to see former students extending their Japanese education beyond high school.

JICUF: Have you had the chance to return to ICU since your initial time there?

EK: I returned to ICU not long ago when I took a group of my high school students on a trip to Japan. I wanted them to see a Japanese college campus.  Of course, I took them to ICU!

JICUF: That’s great! What advice would you have for students who might consider studying all four years, or perhaps as an OYR, at ICU?

EK: Just do it!  It’s life changing!

In addition to her many other accomplishments, Emily has earned her Master of Science degree in Education from California State University, Fullerton. Omedetou gozaimasu, Emily!