Japanese

Why choose Japanese at North Central College?

North Central is one of the few colleges or universities in Illinois offering a Japanese major. With a full range of courses in Japanese for all four years and a vibrant Japanese study abroad program, the College offers a rigorous, distinctive experience in a small, friendly environment. You’ll study the Japanese culture while improving your reading, writing and speaking skills.

You can also:

Study in Japan through one of our numerous exchange programs.
Participate in cultural events and activities (including a trip to a Japanese shopping center) with the Japan Club.
Apply for international study scholarships, including North Central’s Omron Scholarship for Study in Japan.
Strengthen your language skills as you get to know the Japanese international students on campus.
Earn an English language learning (ELL) minor if you hope to teach abroad after college.
Access online audio and video resources for Japanes via the Roberta I. Myers Language Resource Center.
Quailify for induction to the Japanese Honor Society or Phi Sigma Iota, for students who study more than one language.

Clara Hur earns Outstanding Major in East Asian Studies Award

Clara Hur received the Outstanding Major in East Asian Studies Award during the 2013 Honors Convocation at North Central College.

Kaitlyn Gordon earns Outstanding Major in Japanese Award

Kaitlyn Gordon received the Outstanding Major in Japanese Award during the 2013 Honors Convocation at North Central College.

Experience Japanese culture during Japanese Spring Festival

North Central College’s Japan Club and Japanese program present annual Japanese Spring Festival May 6 with music, food, games, art and more.

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Internships

Unique opportunities are available in Japan with our partner institutions.

Careers

Recent graduates in Japanese include:

English teacher, Japan Exchange and Teaching (JET) Programme
International relations coordinator
Librarian/information technology

Amanda Wheeler

Japanese major

Amanda chose North Central because it offered a major in Japanese and study abroad programs in Japan. “Study abroad is hands down the single most important experience I've had at North Central. It was an opportunity to be independent, meet friends from all over the world and challenge myself in another language. The classroom cannot mimic what you learn abroad.”

The opportunity to practice her Japanese skills was key. “I was fully immersed into the culture so I was studying all the time ... and it was oddly OK to talk and feel all right with making mistakes.”

Amanda praises the mentoring she’s received from her professor of Japanese. “She’s one of the sweetest teachers on campus and...

Anthony Dinoffria

Japanese major

Majoring in Japanese, Anthony pushed his passion for connecting two very different cultures every day. Practicing the language daily, studying Japanese history and dreaming of becoming an interpreter, he took his love of the language outside the classroom walls. With the chances to study abroad through North Central, Anthony took full advantage of the total college experience. “I ideally hope to find a job based in Tokyo, connecting the two cultures of East and West,” he says.

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