Megan Dick, a graduate of Pomona College (’12), spent six months studying abroad at ICU from July-December 2010. In this interview, Megan talks about her time at ICU and how her life-changing experiences in Japan shaped her outlook and career.

Please explain your relationship to ICU.

As part of my undergraduate study at Pomona College, I spent six months studying at ICU from July to December 2010. During ICU’s intensive summer courses in Japanese I lived in Global House, and then during the fall term I lived with a host family in Tanashi on the Seibu-Shinjuku line.

How you decided to study abroad and why you chose to study abroad at ICU.

I decided to study abroad because I wanted to see whether Japan and the Japanese language could play a viable role in my future. My college offered two programs for Japan, and I chose ICU because it was more fully integrated with Japanese society.

Please explain your study focus at college and relationship with Japan.

When I graduated from high school with three years of Japanese study behind me, I was ready for a change. I was set to attend Pomona College in the fall, and I had decided that I would give up on Japanese and start studying Spanish, which would be much more useful in Southern California. That all changed when I took a school-sponsored trip to Japan that summer.

For two weeks my orchestra director, Marcus Tsutakawa, led seventy high school students around Japan. We played concerts with Japanese high school students, stayed with Japanese families, and explored Tokyo, Osaka, and Hiroshima.

This trip changed my life. I decided to continue studying Japanese in college so that I could study abroad in Japan. I lived in the Japanese hall of the foreign language dorm. At the end of sophomore year I declared as an Asian Studies major, focusing on Japanese language and history.

After returning from ICU, I began work on my senior thesis on youth mobilization in Japan during the Pacific War. Using diaries and personal accounts, I focused on how the national narrative of the war corresponded to personal narratives, as well as how mobilized young women responded to the wartime government, its agents, and its policies. With the help of Professors Samuel Yamashita and Kazumi Takahashi I finished my thesis and graduated with a degree in Asian Studies in May of 2012.

How has study abroad shaped your life since then?

Although I was only abroad for six months, my time in Japan has had a profound effect on my goals and outlook. I returned to the U.S. with a deep appreciation for cultural differences and greater confidence in myself. Spending time on such a global and diverse campus made me realize how important international education is for cultivating relationships between nations. After graduation I decided to pursue a career in improving U.S.-Japan and U.S.-Asia relations, and I hope to one day be able to use my skills and experience to help others navigate challenging situations and build lasting relationships with people from other cultures.

What were some of the things you liked best and disliked about study abroad? 

In Japan, every day was challenging and exciting. I loved trying new things and learning how to navigate in a different culture and different language. The most difficult part of study abroad was the timing—after finally getting comfortable in the language and culture, I had just a few months before it was time to go home. I had a very hard time saying goodbye to my host family and all of the great friends I had made at ICU.

What would you have done differently if you could go back and how would you like to see ICU improve the experience?

If I could go back to ICU I would definitely join more clubs and take a math class in Japanese. I think that there is still a big split at ICU between the September-start students (non-Japanese) students and April-start (Japanese) students, and I would like to be more proactive in bridging that divide. Perhaps ICU could also try to connect these two groups by changing the structure of orientation or even altering the school calendar

Please tell me a little about the homestay that you participated in and also your time at Global House.

During the intensive summer courses I stayed in Global House, which was a great way to get to know my way around the campus and branch out to Kichijoji, Shinjuku, and the rest of Tokyo. There were some fulltime students living with us as well, and they were an invaluable resource when it came time to navigate grocery stores, explore Donki, and register bicycles.

During the fall term I lived with a Japanese family in Tanashi and commuted to ICU by bike. My host family was an older couple with two grown sons, one of whom was engaged and the other was married and lived in Singapore. My host mother was very active in the community, and she volunteered at the Edo-Tokyo Open Air Architectural Museum. We watched the 2010 World Series together, and though it would have been great if my home team (Go Mariners!) had made it to the Series, the Giants’ win was the next best thing. In November my parents and my brother came to Japan for the first time, and the highlight of their trip was a delicious lunch and neighborhood tour with my host family. My host mother and I still exchange letters occasionally, and I have many wonderful pictures and memories from this time.

Did you have any hobbies, interests or interesting cultural experiences while at ICU?

While at ICU I joined “Footloose” (an after-school tennis club) and it was an amazing experience. The other players made me feel welcome right from the beginning, and I got to enjoy many quintessential Japanese club activities, such asnomikai, nabe-pa, andaki gasshuku (autumn retreat). My Japanese really improved as well. I remember I had such a hard time at first learning everyone’s names, with Kyosuke, Yusuke, Kosuke, and multiple Tomomi’s and Yuki’s on the court. Compared to my high school tennis team, Footloose was equally challenging and much more fun. The practices were entirely run by students, and the goal of the club was really for everyone to improve and play like a team. We would yell words of encouragement to each other, and I never heard anyone complain when they were paired for a doubles match with a less-experienced partner. I made many great friends on the team, and we still keep in touch.

Please describe what you are currently doing in your job.

Presently I work as a researcher for Dr. Kent Calder at the Edwin O. Reischauer Center for East Asian Studies at Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS) in Washington, D.C. My work focuses on potential areas of cooperation between Japan, the U.S. and Southeast Asia, especially in terms of energy and the environment. I have also done a lot of work on comparative healthcare policy, energy diplomacy, and trends in international education. In addition, I also help with the Reischauer Center’s extensive seminar and event series, and brief Dr. Calder on pressing issues in U.S.-Asia relations.

What are some of your interests?

When I’m not at work I am usually reading, biking, or baking. Yesterday I finished Leslie Helm’s book Yokohama Yankee, which I especially liked because of the author’s connections to my hometown, Seattle, and his experiences as a foreigner in Japan. I also enjoy hiking and camping whenever I have the chance!

What would you like to see yourself doing moving forward and do you think ICU has played any part in shaping these goals?

Moving forward, I would love to work in some capacity that furthers international education and cultural exchange, ideally between the U.S. and Japan. My time at ICU profoundly influenced where I am today, and my commitment to both U.S.-Japan relations and grassroots globalization efforts. My goal is to make these opportunities available for others as well, because I believe people-to-people programs are the best way to build bridges between cultures and nations.