Alumni Profiles
Meet our Alumni: Jeffrey C. Guarneri
Major(s) and Minor: East Asian Languages and Cultures (Major); History (Major)
Year: 2010
Why did you choose East Asian Languages and Cultures as your major?
A lifelong interest in East Asia not only brought me to the Asian Languages and Cultures Department, but to Rutgers altogether. When I was looking to transfer from my original institution in my second year of college, the wide range of courses and disciplines on offer at Rutgers’ ALC led me to Rutgers in Spring 2006.
What did you like most about it?
In addition to the thematic depth of ALC offerings, I found that my mentors in the department to be deeply invested in helping me to learn. To this day, they are among the most patient, giving, and helpful teachers I have encountered. From my Japanese language teachers who would practice with me every week during office hours, to my literature and film professors who introduced me to the best of Chinese and Japanese film, the faculty at ALC gave me so much more than I could ever have hoped for.
What is your current position, what do you do, and what do you enjoy most about it?
I am currently a PhD candidate in the Department of History at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, researching Japan’s commercial ports during the interwar period (1918-1941). I love how this program has enabled me to continue my intellectual growth as I research and write my dissertation, while also teaching me what it is like to be part of a university community by providing the opportunity to serve on departmental committees. Teacher training is also a large part of my program, and being at UW-Madison has allowed me to learn how to be a better educator through teaching assistantships, seminars on digital history tools, and a host of pedagogy workshops. Lastly, continuing to work on Japan (my second home) has allowed me to return there many times for research, first on a grant from the SSRC in 2015, then again as a Fulbright fellow from 2016-2017.
What was your first job after Rutgers and how did you get it?
After graduating from Rutgers, I worked in the Fukui Prefectural Government, Japan as a Coordinator for International Relations (CIR) on the JET Program. I was first introduced to JET by senior students in ALC when I transferred to Rutgers and was helped through the interview process by my ALC mentors.
How did you move from that first job to your current position?
Since coming to college, I always knew that I wanted to work in higher education. While in the JET Program, I spent my time both thinking carefully as to whether or not graduate school was for me, and once I was sure that I wanted to go on to do my PhD, I spent two years contacting potential advisers at the schools to which I wanted to apply. After deciding on UW-Madison, I moved to Madison after my contract with JET ended in July 2013, and entered my current program in September of that year.
Looking back, what classes or experiences at Rutgers would you point to as contributing to your successes?
Make no mistake: Rutgers is a BIG school. But being at a school of that size was instrumental in teaching me how to seek out information, to balance my schedule, and to ask for help when I needed it. “Big” does not always mean that you will simply be another face in the crowd, and my ALC mentors still managed to get to know so many of their students (including yours truly) regardless of whether their class had 20 students or 120.
What advice do you have for our current Arts and Sciences students?
1. BE ADVENTUROUS: From studying abroad, to starting a student organization, to springboarding from my undergraduate studies to a career in Japan and in a U.S. graduate institution, I found that the more I pushed myself, the more that I was able to rise to the challenge. The world is an exciting place, and the language- and humanities-focused curriculum of the ALC is a fantastic gateway to all kinds of adventures both during and after your time at Rutgers.
2. THINK BROADLY: As someone who primarily researchers Japan, you would think that I just took classes on Japan, right? Wrong! The best part about ALC is that your classes will take you across East Asia, from survey courses that cover the entire region to the more specialized classes on literature, film, and other areas. Being a part of ALC opens the door to classes on all of these things, so why not make the best of this opportunity and learn a little bit about everything and everywhere in East Asia while you’re at it?
3. BE ONE STEP AHEAD: A degree from ALC can prepare you for so many careers, from teaching abroad to consultancy, law, NPO work, or even academia. I love being in academia, but the language and analytical skills that I learned in ALC are applicable to many, MANY more fields than just higher education. If you’re always on the lookout for what you can do with your degree, you’ll be surprised at just how many options you’ll have.
Meet our Alumni: Lindsey Cohick
Major: East Asian Languages and Area Studies (Japanese concentration); Minor: History
Year: 2013
Why did you choose East Asian Languages and Area Studies as your major?
I was really interested in Japanese language and culture throughout high school. I had a chance to visit Japan when I was sixteen, and I loved it so much I became determined to go back for a longer period. These were the reasons I chose to major in East Asian Studies at Rutgers, and I’ve always been glad I did.
What did you like most about it?
It’s difficult to choose one aspect of the program that I liked most. One of my favorite parts was the course options. From language to society, culture, and history, the material was always engaging, and it prepared me for studying abroad in Japan my junior year. Study abroad was another highlight. I spent eleven months in Kyoto at Rutgers’s sister school, Ritsumeikan University, where my knowledge and language skills grew exponentially, where I made friends from around the world, and where I had unforgettable experiences. Finally, I owe much to the faculty in the Asian Languages and Cultures Department, who were there for me every step of the way, whose passion and knowledge were a constant source of inspiration, and who have continued to support me in my post-graduate endeavors.
What is your current position, what do you, and what do you enjoy most about it?
Currently I’m completing a Master of Philosophy (MPhil) degree in International Relations at the University of Oxford. When I applied, I proposed to do research on nuclear issues in Japan and their impact on foreign relations in Asia, although I’ve since then changed topics. My MPhil thesis took a historical approach to International Relations by focusing on nonstate actors in the Age of Sail. I enjoy the academic environment and having the opportunity once again to live abroad while furthering my education.
What was your first job after Rutgers and how did you get it?
My first job was at a medical communications company called Precise Publications, LLC. I first worked for the company part-time during the winter of my senior year, and as I neared graduation I was offered a full-time job as an Editorial Assistant. While medical communications was not my area of expertise, my skills as a writer and researcher came in handy, and I gained valuable professional experience during my three years there.
How did you move from that first job to your current position?
After a few years of working, I decided I wanted to get back to my passion and further my education. I applied to three programs: the Japanese Exchange and Teaching (JET) Program, the Fulbright for teaching English in South Korea, and the MPhil program in International Relations at Oxford. I was accepted to the JET Program and thought I would be going back to Japan to teach English, until I was accepted into Oxford’s International Relations program and decided to go that route instead. My professors and mentors at Rutgers offered me guidance and support at every turn, and I wouldn’t be where I am now without them.
Looking back, what classes or experiences at Rutgers would you point to as contributing to your successes?
In retrospect, the classes that were most important in getting me to my current position were the classes on society, culture, and history. During my first year of studying political science at Oxford, I drew in particular on what I’d learned in classes like Global East Asia, taught by Professor Paul Schalow, and Society and Culture of Japan, taught by Professor Don Roden. Another instrumental experience was my senior thesis, supervised by Professors Schalow and Roden, which took a broad view of the historical development of Japanese nationalism and militarism. Working on that project gave me the foundation necessary for completing my master’s thesis this past year. And of course, studying abroad was a highly formative experience, which was made possible by Rutgers’ study abroad office with the support of the Asian Languages and Cultures department.
What advice do you have for our current Arts and Sciences students?
My first piece of advice for current Arts and Sciences students is to take full advantage of the support and guidance offered by Rutgers faculty. The networks I built at Rutgers are still an invaluable source of support for me today, five years after graduation. During my time at Rutgers, the deans and professors were always willing to help and frequently kept their doors open for inquiring students. I would also recommend Arts and Sciences students to study abroad (if their degree allows for the opportunity). Not only is the Rutgers study abroad office a great resource, but in my experience studying abroad is an incredible, unique way to widen your horizons.
Meet our Undergraduate Student: Nicole Oliver
A childhood passion opens the door to cultures around the world
Nicole Oliver has long been a fan of the Japanese animated film style known as anime.
“In the early 2000s, Saturday morning television was filled with Japanese cartoons,” the School of Arts and Sciences junior says. “I loved Japanese animation and so did my family.”
Over time, she became impressed with the depth and complexity of anime plot lines and characterization. She set a daunting goal for herself.
“I got tired of waiting for the subtitles,” she said. “So I thought ‘why not study Japanese?’’’
She did just that, watching shows and writing down commonly-used words and their definitions in a little notebook.
“Words like 'I,' 'cute,' or 'what' were quite easy to learn because context was always clear,” she says. “In a way it was like immersion. Not only was anime my motivation for learning Japanese, it was also my teacher.”
After ninth grade, her family moved to Princeton. And at Princeton High School, she began taking formal courses in Japanese as well as in Chinese and Korean.
She knew all her efforts had paid off when she watched the 20th anniversary installment of the Case Closed series, also known as Detective Conan, without having to refer to subtitles.
“To be able to sit there and converse with all the fans and watch the entire movie without missing anything was one of the biggest events in my language learning experience,” she says.
Oliver transferred to Rutgers after two years at Temple University’s campus in Tokyo where she studied graphic design.
“When I moved back to America, I realized I wanted to continue studying Japanese, Korean, and Chinese,” she says. "I am so grateful to have found the Department of Asian Languages and Cultures at Rutgers."
The department, which recently celebrated 50 years of Chinese studies at Rutgers, is a major center of scholarship that reaches across the literary, cultural, and linguistic expanse of East Asia. It’s also the ideal place for a dedicated student like Oliver, who’s fascinated by both language and culture. She’s now majoring in East Asian Languages and Area Studies with a concentration in Japanese and a minor in Korean.
"The main reason for my interest in Japan is not just the anime, but the things I learned about Japan through the anime," she says. "I just fell in love with the country and its culture, traditions, beautiful places, and people."
In the short term, Oliver is participating in a Study Abroad program at Ritsumeikan University, a prominent private university in Japan where she will be focusing on developing advanced language skills. After completing her degree at Rutgers, she ultimately plans on returning to Japan and starting an English language school.
“When I was in Japan I taught English as a part-time job and I enjoyed it so much that I decided I wanted to have my own school,” she says. “I came up with my own curriculum. My students all passed their tests. It was great.”
Meet our Alumni: Nathan Gwira
Major(s) and Minor: Africana Studies / Economics and Asian Languages and Cultures
Year: 2012
Why did you choose East Asian Languages and Cultures as your major?
I chose to study in the Asian Languages and Cultures because I had a passion for connecting with diverse people from various cultures.
What did you like most about it?
Studying in the Asian Languages and Cultures (ALC) department enriched my life experiences. One of the experiences I liked the most was studying abroad in the China summer program in 2011 with Prof. Simmons. During my study abroad experience, I was exposed to students from all over the world. My curiosity led to conversations with Chinese students over lunch and making friends with Korean, Russian, and Japanese students during my summer abroad. Contrary to the popular belief that cultures shift people from different regions apart, our unique cultures actually brought us together.
What is your current position, what do you do, and what do you enjoy most about it?
Currently, I am an M.A. candidate at Georgetown University’s School of Foreign Service, and as a 2018 Boren Fellow, I will be studying at Hopkins Nanjing Center in Nanjing, China, this Fall. I enjoy my current position because it is not only rewarding to work and study in the international security space, but it is also interesting to see how my overseas experience, language abilities, and foreign affairs knowledge have contributed towards work and my M.A. course discussions. I credit my Asian Language and Culture studies foundation at Rutgers for providing me with the necessary tools to succeed in one of the top M.A. programs in my field. (Foreign Policy 2018 rated Georgetown SFS as no. 1 school in IR studies)
What was your first job after Rutgers and how did you get it?
My first job after Rutgers was teaching English as a Foreign Language teacher in Jinan, China. I leveraged my Chinese from Asian Language and Culture department courses to search for and apply to jobs in China.
How did you move from that first job to your current position?
My first job set me up for an internship opportunity with the U.S. Department of State’s Office of English Language Programs (OELP) in the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs. This opportunity exposed me to my interest in working on global issues. It led me to several opportunities at the State Department including serving under the Special Advisor for Global Youth Issues and landing a job as a contractor with the State Department.
Looking back, what classes or experiences at Rutgers would you point to as contributing to your successes?
Studying abroad with the former Director of Asian Languages and Cultures (ALC) was a monumental part of my Rutgers experience and paramount to my success story. Learning Mandarin both at China Study Abroad and at Rutgers opened many doors for me.
What advice do you have for our current Arts and Sciences students?
I always like to look at life as a jigsaw puzzle. A beautiful mosaic created by putting together our life experiences. ALC added yet another piece to my puzzle. I hope that current Arts and Sciences students also find beautiful mosaic pieces from the ALC department like I did. Making friends abroad and developing language skills revealed several other interlocking pieces of my life puzzle. I hope prospective and current students seize opportunities like studying abroad in China to unlock their life puzzles as well.