Alyssa Young ’14

As a high-school student in Lititz, Pa., Alyssa Young studied abroad in Japan and learned that she wanted to major in East Asian cultures. At Dickinson, she co-founded a Japanese-drumming club and studied abroad again—this time in Korea as one of just 13 students nationwide to be awarded a U.S. State Department Critical Language Scholarship (CLS). Alyssa discusses her experiences on campus, and as student and intern in two Asian countries—and the job offer that resulted.

Majors:

East Asian studies and political science.

Clubs and organizations:

Liberty Cap Society (volunteer tour guide), Taiko Club (co-founder), the Mermaid Players and Alpha Lambda Delta.

Favorite class:

Infectious Diseases. I had the opportunity to research multiple sclerosis, a disease that two of my family members suffer from. I think the professors at Dickinson do a great job of making science accessible and rewarding for non-science majors.

On choosing Dickinson:

I chose Dickinson because of its focus on global education. I knew that I wanted to be an East Asian studies major, and after meeting with [Senior Lecturer of Japanese Language Akiko] Meguro, I was convinced that Dickinson was the place I needed to be.

Favorite books:

The Stranger and The Night Circus.

As a kid, I wanted to be …

… in chronological order: Tinkerbell, a lawyer and an actress.

Favorite place on campus:

For napping or studying, the East Asian Studies Reading Room (Waidner-Spahr Library).

Favorite Dining Hall food:

Anything from the KOVE.

On interning in Japan and Korea:

I completed an internship at a company in Tokyo the summer before junior year, and that experience taught me that a place that brought you joy as a study-abroad student will not necessarily be the best place to begin your career. On the other hand, while I studied abroad in Korea, I also completed an internship at a local orphanage, which I enjoyed. I had never considered teaching as a profession before that, but now I am excited [about that prospect], and I feel prepared to work with children next year.

Post-Dickinson plans:

I have accepted a position to teach English to children in Seoul. If my work is even half as rewarding as my internship, I will be completely content.

Learn more

• Alyssa’s Critical Language Scholarship Award.
• More Student Snapshots

Published April 11, 2014