Gwun Wong

Studied Abroad: Osaka, Japan during Spring 2024 

 During my time in Osaka, Japan, I was able to take a myriad of classes, ranging from Culinary Tourism to Japanese Design and Aesthetics, that broadened my horizons and helped me understand the country beyond just their language. These courses allowed me to explore topics beyond my major and interests, consequently inspiring me to continue studying those subjects after returning to the United States. While I was there, I also participated in a month-long internship at Osaka Seikei Girls’ High School in Aikawa, Osaka as an Assistant English Teacher. This experience was extremely eye-opening as I became exposed to the Japanese education system, cultural norms, and school traditions that were practiced on the daily. I became very close with both the teachers that I was shadowing and all 13 of the classes I was teaching. It was a once-in-a-lifetime experience that I will never forget.  

In my final year at UMass, I will be producing a Creative Portfolio as my Honors Thesis, using the main topic of Japanese culinary history for my research. I will be analyzing the connection between Japanese historical events and their impacts on Japanese cuisine, observing how those influences carry into the present day. After I graduate, I will be returning to Japan––Tokyo, specifically––to do an internship with an academic consulting company, helping Japanese students study abroad in America. I hope to continue bridging the gap between Japanese and American culture, showing individuals what’s beyond the sushi and the hamburgers.