Jose Chavez
July 19, 2025 - 03:43 PM
A recipient of the Gilman International Scholarship, Jose spent a month in Osaka, Japan through Mt SAC's Study Abroad Program in Winter 2025. To combine the two of his passions, he is moving to Japan in Fall 2025 and study Japanese and Computer Science at Temple University, Japan.
Jose's Language Journey
Japanese culture has always fascinated me. For years, I explored it through casual reading and cultural deep dives, but I never had the time or resources to fully commit to learning the language. Still, my curiosity about how people live, communicate, and find meaning in their daily lives kept drawing me in. I wanted to learn another language - not just as a skill, but as a way to deepen my understanding of the world. Since starting at Mt. SAC, that interest has evolved into a true passion. Studying Japanese has become more than a hobby - it now gives me direction and motivates my vision for the future.
One of the main challenges I’ve faced when learning a foreign language has always been managing time and self-doubt, along with my shyness, which made it hard to practice speaking and engage with my classmates, an essential part of language learning. What truly helped me overcome these hurdles was the support I’ve been able to garner at Mt. SAC. Not only through the amazing teachers, who helped me at every step to improve both in personal growth and in language proficiency, but also through the incredible Language Learning Center (LLC). At LLC, I was able to develop friendships rooted in learning foreign languages, which truly helped me practice the language and overcome any challenges that arose.
I try to integrate Japanese into my daily life in small but consistent ways. While commuting, I listen to Japanese music or podcasts to improve my listening skills. Being part of both the Japanese Culture Club and Study Abroad club has also given me more chances to engage in casual conversation and cultural exchange outside the classroom. Looking ahead, I plan to use my Japanese skills professionally to work for the U.S. Embassy in Japan as a Diplomatic Technology Officer. A career where I will use both language and technical skills to support international cooperation and represent my country abroad. Beyond career goals, learning Japanese has enriched my life in all aspects, by helping me form deeper friendships, build confidence, and be open to different perspectives in life.
Don’t be afraid to start, no matter how late you think it is or how difficult something
may seem. I used to doubt whether I could truly learn Japanese, but Mt. SAC has so many supportive
resources, amazing professors, the Language Learning Center, and a welcoming student
community that make a huge difference if you’re willing to take that first step.
So what are you waiting for? The journey begins with one step....take it!
Inspired by Jose's story?
