Alumni Spotlight: Nana Ishii ('22)

Nero Ho & Sophia Yu ('29), Aug. 17, 2024

Nana Ishii ('22), a Media and Communication major at Temple University Japan (TUJ), chose to continue her education in her home country, drawn by the unique blend of Japanese culture and American education offered by the institution.

Nana's acceptance into TUJ was based on her strong academic record, a compelling essay, and a persuasive recommendation letter. Unlike many universities, TUJ does not require an entrance exam. While extracurricular activities, especially athletics, can enhance an application, Nana's proficiency in Chinese and English, along with her experience as a Japanese student, distinguished her from other applicants. Her involvement in TAIMUN further strengthened her application.

In her early years at AST, Nana struggled to balance academics with her personal life, particularly as she focused on improving her English. However, as she advanced through high school, the smaller class sizes helped her build stronger friendships and enrich her social life. Simultaneously, her growing interest in Japanese culture and music solidified her desire to return to Japan.

A defining experience for Nana was her part-time job at UNIQLO, which marked her first step into the professional world. The job required her to balance work and studies while immersing herself in a Japanese work environment, providing her with invaluable insights into Japanese society and preparing her for life after graduation.

Nana believes that choosing the right major is crucial to the college experience, especially in forming meaningful connections. Her degree in media and communication has allowed her to connect with like-minded individuals who share her aspirations. The collaborative environment at TUJ has been instrumental in her personal and academic growth, exposing her to new ideas and perspectives.

Nana emphasizes the importance of independence and encourages students to pursue their passions without succumbing to parental pressure. She suggests finding healthy ways to cope with stress, such as making time for your hobby. Moreover, she advocates for seizing opportunities, even when they seem challenging. Drawing inspiration from her father's advice, Nana believes that embracing difficulties can lead to significant growth and learning.

Nana's career goals have remained consistent since high school, driven by her deep interest in Japanese idols and a desire to work in the entertainment industry. Her recent internship at an event company has further solidified her career path, providing her with valuable practical experience. To manage her workload, Nana prioritizes completing tasks early in the day and stresses the importance of time management, particularly given the demands of her academic schedule. 

Nana's journey is an inspiration to current and future AST students, underscoring the importance of exploring diverse opportunities and pursuing passions. Her story encourages us to embrace studying abroad, engage with different cultures, and gain practical experience through interactions with professionals. Nana demonstrates the power of passion, perseverance, and a proactive approach to achieving one's goals.

Nana Ishii ('22)現在就讀Temple University, Japan（TUJ)，主修媒體傳播，她選擇念TUJ是因為受到這所學校提供的日本文化和美國教育的獨特融合所吸引。

Nana 能錄取TUJ是基於她出色的學業成績、一篇引人注目的論文和一封有說服力的推薦信。與許多大學不同的是，TUJ 不需要入學考試。雖然課外活動，尤其是體育活動，可以提高被錄取的機率，然而Nana的中文和英語熟練程度，以及她身為日本學生的經歷，使她從其他申請者中脫穎而出。此外，參加Taimun也為她加分不少。

Nana回想她剛來AST 的時候，努力平衡學業與個人生活，特別是當她需要專注於提高英語水平時。之後，隨著她升上高中，較小的班級規模幫助她與同學建立了更堅固的友誼，並豐富了她的社交生活。同時，她對日本文化和音樂日益濃厚的興趣，更加堅定了她想回日本的願望。

對Nana來說，她在UNIQLO的兼職工作給了她很大的影響，這是她邁入就業市場的第一步， 需要平衡工作和學業，沉浸在日本的工作環境的同時，她也更了解日本社會，並爲畢業後的人生做好準備。

Nana認為在念大學時選擇正確的主修重要，尤其是在建立有意義的人脈方面。媒體和傳播主修使她能夠認識更多志同道合的人。TUJ 的協作環境對她的個人和學術成長發揮了重要作用，讓她接觸到新的想法和觀點。

Nana強調獨立的重要性，並鼓勵學生追求自己的熱情，而不屈服於來自父母的壓力。她建議尋找健康的方法來面對壓力，例如騰出時間從事自己的愛好。此外，她認為要抓住機會，即使它們看起來很具挑戰性。Nana從父親的建議中得到靈感，相信擁抱困難能帶來顯著的成長與學習。

由於對日本偶像的濃厚興趣以及想在娛樂業工作的願望，Nana從高中時就一直朝此目標前進。她最近在一家活動公司實習，進一步鞏固了她的職業方向，為她提供了寶貴的實務經驗。為了管理工作量，Nana優先考慮儘早完成工作，並強調時間管理的重要性，特別是考慮到她的學業安排的要求。

Nana的旅程對當前和未來的 AST 學生來說是一種啟發，強調了探索多樣化機會和追求熱情的重要性。她的故事鼓勵我們出國留學，接觸不同的文化，並透過與專業人士的互動獲得實務經驗。Nana展現了熱情、毅力和積極主動地實現目標的力量!