Alumni Success Stories

Discover our program's alumni and how they are using their language skills to make impacts in global careers, cultural exchange, and much more. We want to show our pride in our graduates and the path they have chosen after college.

 

  • Emelyn Uribe-Rutowski Expand dropdown

     

    Hello Eagles!


    My name is Emelyn Uribe-Rutowski, EMU class of 2018. I graduated with a major in International Business and Japanese, and I have to say it was one of the best decisions of my life. 


    Before going to EMU I had no idea how robust, thorough, and top-rated their Japanese language program was. It wasn’t until my sophomore year, which I spent abroad in Japan at JCMU, that I realized the quality of education I received even in one year at EMU compared to the other students from other schools, in Michigan and beyond. 


    Of course, this quality level of education came entirely from the educators in the language department. It was very clear to me from the beginning that my advisor and professors would do whatever it takes for me to succeed. Outside of class, they spent many hours coaching me for the Japanese speech competition, being my advocates as I led the Japanese Student Association, nominating me for an opportunity to travel to Japan through the Kakehashi program, and writing letters of recommendation for my future career. These are ways I personally received SO much attention, care, and guidance from all of my sensei at EMU.


    Thanks to the education I received, and the strong connections EMU’s Japanese Department has with local Japanese businesses and associations in Southeast Michigan, I secured a job at a Japanese company a few months before I graduated. I started in the HR department supporting Japanese expatriates, interpreting meetings and translating documents from headquarters. I was eventually promoted to Executive Assistant to the CEO, and through this was able to travel to Japan for work, this being of course a huge highlight of my career. 


    Last year, after five years, I did leave my company in the hopes of entering the creative field. I’ve started a small business as a bookbinder, making bespoke journals and notebooks, and I hope to further my skills in fine bookbinding. This may seem to be a turn away from Japanese, but, I just went to Japan and found some amazing paper!! AND it’s only another life experience I hope to compound with all that I learned through my Japanese education, as well as my business degree and first-hand experiences in the business realm. I carry many of the lessons I learned at EMU with me every day, especially those from the World Languages Department. They have enriched my life in countless ways, opened my eyes to a beautiful language, culture, and people who remain present in my life. 


    Truly the way I found success in my career, and continue to do so, is through PEOPLE. Connections you make, even when you least expect it. So, my advice to current and future students is to always put yourself out there. Say yes to outings where you will meet new people, and build stronger connections with acquaintances - because what you’re really building are bridges to your own future opportunities. Networking events with businesses are great, but don’t count out events with your peers. Some of the most significant opportunities I’ve received, and been able to offer, came from interactions with friends and acquaintances around my age. 

    This leads me to one last recommendation… Make your list of karaoke songs, practice them, and say yes to every karaoke outing you’re invited to (or plan your own!). People don’t say it, but the real deals happen in the karaoke booths. 


    I wish you all the best of luck in your language-learning journey. And please remember to enjoy this time, stressful though it may seem, where your main job is to learn. 


    皆さん、頑張ってください！！

    Thank you!

  • Jessica Yamamoto Expand dropdown

    Jessica Yamamoto on a plane in a flight attendant uniform.

     

    Hello there EMU community, and prospective community members alike. My name is Jessica Yamamoto and I am a fellow Eagle as well, having completed my undergraduate degree at Eastern just a few short years ago. My time at Eastern, particularly as a dual major in Japanese Language and Culture department and English linguistics, was nothing short of extraordinary. And I can say with confidence that my experience at Eastern has shaped both my personal and professional life and I have a feeling in a few short years, you will be saying the same thing. 

    I want to take a few moments to reflect upon my experiences and share them with you, I can't help but feel extreme gratitude for the skills gained and the lasting friendships that I formed at Eastern. Today, I find myself in a fulfilling position as an inflight Japanese translator, purser brand ambassador where I am afforded the opportunity to travel the world on a nearly weekly basis. If you have traveled recently, you may have seen me in an in flight video representing one of the major US airline carriers.  It is also my pleasure to work as an adjunct faculty at a university in Washington DC. I owe a significant part of this journey to the exceptional education and support I received at EMU.

    Again speaking a little bit more to the Japanese Language department specifically, I want to share that their masterful leadership provided me with a profound cultural understanding, emphasizing the intricate connection between language and culture. This insight has been instrumental in my role as an inflight Japanese translator, where communication goes beyond words and it encompasses culturally sensitive service which is so important. It has also helped me enhance my ability to connect with others through having a deeper understanding of the cultural nuances that drive individuals- their thoughts, their actions as well as their feelings. As we shift away from our own communities and begin to enter the world as an adult such an understanding and appreciation is incredibly paramount, right?

    Also, one thing that truly stands out is the culture of service fostered by the department. See, the instructors weren't just educators; they were mentors genuinely invested in the success of their students. This sense of mutual respect and motivation to see students thrive has been a cornerstone of my teaching philosophy as an Adjunct Faculty here in Washington DC.

    Another aspect of EMU's Japanese language program is the fact that it is so personal, their personalized pedagogy, their sharing snippets of their own lives and interests, created a classroom atmosphere that felt not only intimate but really engaging as well. I've carried this approach into my own classroom, understanding the significance of building personal connections with students to enhance the learning experience.

    To future students, I encourage you to embrace your curiosity, explore your interests, and continually, continually seek answers to the questions that you have. The Japanese language department at EMU instilled in me the importance of questioning and seeking, these are qualities essential for any successful scholar no matter your field of practice.

    I also recommend proactively setting up informational interviews and job-shadowing opportunities. These experiences not only provide valuable insights and also can serve as powerful networking opportunities that can shape your future."

    To wrap up, I just want to share that my gratitude to the EMU Japanese language department. This gratitude knows no bounds. The education I received has not only led to a fulfilling career but has also shaped me into a compassionate and dedicated educator. I am proud to be an alum of a department that continues to inspire and empower students.

    Thank you for taking the time to hear about my journey. Here's to EMU, and you and the and the incredible adventures that you have in store... Good luck!