Elsa Hendrix

    My name is Elsa Hendrix, and I am so honored to be graduating from William & Mary with a bachelor’s in Japanese studies in May. I transferred to W&M in the fall of 2023 with the intent to major in Japanese Studies. I am endlessly appreciative of how welcoming the Japanese Studies department—and more broadly Modern Languages—has been and it has been the privilege of my life to become part of this program. Just my two years of study at William & Mary have made it clear that my long-term career goals are centered in academia and research.

   Since coming to W&M I have continued to pursue Japanese language study, conducted research in Japanese and about my favorite topics, and studied abroad in Osaka. Some of my favorite memories are of the people I have met and activities I have engaged in while studying here. Studying the Japanese language, though arguably the most humbling undertaking of my life, has been an immense pleasure, and being able to speak, read, and understand it in real time is indescribably rewarding and gratifying. Belonging to the J-Studies community at William & Mary has proved a fundamental steppingstone in my larger goal towards a master’s degree and eventually a doctorate as well. As I move forward into adult life I will take with me the skills, memories, and experiences I received from my relationships with the incredible faculty and my amazing fellow students..