Why Japanese?

Why Japanese?

I've heard that question more than once. Language is not a requirement for students in the school of engineering. As a computer science major, the core curriculum only touches language so much as it touches spoken language processing, or artificial intelligence programming. As an anthropology minor with an interest in East Asian studies, language is not a requirement either. Half-Puerto Rican, half-Filipina, I have an understanding of Spanish and Tagalog: the only languages to which I'm personally culturally linked.

...so, why?

My academic interests fit Japanese more than one would initially think. Today, Japan is perhaps the fastest growing, most technologically innovative country in the world. From the cars we use to the consoles we play games on, Japan has consistently been a trendsetter. Some of my fondest memories are linked to Nintendo's classic games: quite literally Linked as I'm an unabashedly enthusiastic fan of The Legend of Zelda series. With my technological interests ranging from video game design and development to forensics, bioinformatics, and genomics, Japan's technology industry is a treasure trove that requires an understanding of the archipelago's language to unlock it.

Going back to the idea of genomics, here is what binds it all together: archaeology. I am extremely interested in the humanities and I couldn't imagine an education without them. History, literature, and cultural studies, the basis of anthropological pursuits, meet science in the form of forensic archeology. As I am particularly interested in Japan's rich and unique history, I want to use my computer science to decode genomes of the remains of ancient peoples. Specific, right?

It doesn't hurt that I love Japanese food, theater, fashion, and film, either.