Joshua Bustamante

    I came here as a transfer in 2023 with no Japanese experience and jumped into the JP major—and I can say that I do not regret it. When I began pursuing a Japanese major, I was under the impression that I would only be learning about Japan; however, taking various classes focused on other parts of the globe made me realize that being a cultural studies major helped me understand not just a particular cultural context, but also the world as a whole.

   What I have learned in my major classes has helped me better contextualize the world in which I live—and that feels invaluable. I’ve met some wonderful people, had amazing professors, and even had the opportunity to study abroad in Japan over the summer. After graduation, I hope to pursue higher education in art and continue studying Japanese on my own. Thank you to all of the Japanese studies faculty for helping me make the most of my time here at William & Mary