BA (Hons) Economics and Japanese, graduated 2010
The four years I spent at Leeds were the highlight of my educational career. Leeds had everything for an eager student, boasting one of the largest student populations in England, and with a huge range of modules on offer, it was certainly going to keep someone like me very busy.
I studied Japanese prior to university and loved it. I therefore decided to take that passion, and combine it with a different subject that I thought would be useful in the future, which in my case was economics. It was at times difficult to juggle these two subjects during my life in Leeds, but those who step up to the challenge will certainly not be disappointed.
The first year was all about finding your feet and getting familiar with your subjects as well as your new surroundings. Since I had studied Japanese before, I was put into the intermediate class, studying alongside others who had a similar level of Japanese proficiency. In regards to the other half of my degree, I had never studied economics prior to university. It was fascinating learning about something entirely new, for example traditional and modern theories, or using mathematics to analyse and model data. Seminars and lectures in both subjects were intellectually stimulating and would later prove to be beneficial in building a strong foundation for more demanding modules.
What students of Japanese tend to look forward to the most on such a course is the year abroad. Everyone relishes the opportunity of being able to put their knowledge into practice. I was sent with other students from Leeds on an exchange program to Kobe Gakuin University where we would have classes together on regular basis. It was a unique experience that allowed me to travel, meet new people and grow as an individual. It was one thing learning to live in Leeds by yourself, but something completely different to live in a foreign country, where all you had at your disposal was a basic knowledge of the language. Being immersed in an environment such as provided by Kobe Gakuin, where there were very few English speaking students, forced me to improve my Japanese quickly. With the support of my teachers, friends and host families the year went by in a flash and soon enough I was back on a plane back to England, ready to continue my studies in Leeds.
Upon our return to England, since all my classmates had gone to different universities in Japan, classes were interesting due to the fact that everyone had their own perceptions of Japan and their own stories to tell. Further to this, we regularly had in-class discussions and presentations to prepare, both on topics of our choice as well as topics that our teachers chose for us. We were also pushed by using authentic Japanese sources covering a variety of issues in lessons. My studies in economics continued with more detailed lectures in micro and macroeconomics where I was encouraged to relate what I was learning in lessons to real life situations. Being away from economics for a year and then suddenly jumping straight back into studies was initially a daunting task having been away. However, inspired by my year abroad in Japan, I focused my energy into achieving grades that reflected my determination to excel.
It was also around this time that I decided to join the University’s Japanese Society. I wanted to meet like-minded people, as well as to keep up my Japanese by meeting Japanese exchange students. Japanese Society became an important part of my university life and I went on to become the president of the society in my final year. Taking on this role was particularly demanding as I had to find a balance between the responsibilities of running a society and my university education. With the help of those around me, I was able to not only cope with these pressures, but also develop skills that would be essential for the future.
Near the end of my degree, I continued to enjoy both areas of study especially considering that I was able to specialize in modules that I particularly liked, and I was determined to find a job that would encompass the skills and knowledge I had gained. I was lucky enough to be able to secure a job prior to graduating university and am currently working at Bloomberg in London. Moreover, I have been placed in a team where I am required work in Japanese thus I am required to use both my Japanese and Economics knowledge every day. I get to work and speak with people from all over the world in a challenging and dynamic environment where no day is ever the same. Working for an international company, such as Bloomberg, is something that I have found rewarding. When I think back at my time at Leeds, four years seemed far too short. For anyone who chooses Leeds, I promise you, it will go by in a flash.
