Lindsey Witt, a student at Texas A&M University, talks about her decision to study Japanese


When I was about to begin high school, I looked at the languages my school offered. I decided to learn Japanese because I wanted to be different. Most students would choose Spanish or French, which would be equally beneficial, but I felt that, since Japanese was not offered at many schools, I should take advantage of this opportunity. I also was, and still am, very interested in Japanese culture, traditions and history. I managed to convince a few of my friends to take the class with me, so not only did I learn Japanese, I had fun!

The summer before my senior year in high school, I was fortunate enough to be selected to participate in an exchange program. I was also part of a Yosakoi dance group which was asked to perform at an exhibition at the Yosakoi Soran-Matsuri in Sapporo. While I was in Sapporo, I made many friends, a few of whom have come to Texas to visit me and my family. I was also able to see the cities of Tokyo, Kyoto, Hiroshima, and Miyajima, which were not only amazing, but gave me a deeper understanding of Japanese culture. Throughout high school, my Sensei entered me in Japanese Speech contests. I was lucky enough to win almost all of them, once even becoming state champion. Winning the competitions gave me a huge boost in self-confidence!

Yosakoi Soran performance in Japan