Name: Mauree Schroeder
Major: Global Studies
Minor: Japanese
Hometown: Omaha, NE
Favorite book: Mistborn by Brandon Sanderson because the world is so unique and interesting, and the characters aren’t fantasy tropes.
Favorite food: Chinese stretched noodles. They have vastly different flavors and soup bases depending on the provinc, and the soup in Liaoning noodles is hearty and flavorful.
Year at UNL: senior
Why Global Studies?
I chose Global Studies because I want to be a better, more efficient part of a globalized world. I want to be aware of and engaged in international events and politics, not just reading the news somewhere wishing I understood more. My favorite classes so far have been sociology and political science classes. I enjoy learning about new perspectives different from mine, and it’s interesting to see patterns emerge over the long term and across sociocultural lines.
About my internship:
As an intern at Senshu Matsudo, I’m able to engage each day with a variety of people with experiences far removed from my own. I talk to native Japanese teachers with varying levels of English. This can sometimes be a challenge, but it helped me discover new ways of thinking. I also talk to the students, who grew up in a culture totally different from mine. I get the opportunity to discuss events in the US, such as this year’s election, and hear thoughts from outside of America.
A typical day as an intern starts with waking up at 6:40am to get ready and cook breakfast (and sometimes lunch) for the day. If I have time, I like to call my family for half an hour or so while I eat breakfast. I’m expected to arrive at school by 8:30am, and I start the day by making copies and creating classroom materials like flash cards. Sometimes, I join morning classes to help distribute homework and answer students’ questions about grammar, vocabulary, and so on. I end the day at 3:30pm.
Outside of my intern duties, I have time to explore Japan. I’ve been to most of the major areas in Tokyo such as Shibuya, Shinjuku, Akihabara, Ueno, and Asakusa. I like a very specific type of Japanese music, so it can be difficult to attend those concerts in the USA, but thanks to my Japanese studies, I was able to buy tickets and attend the concerts by myself, where I made some new friends!
Post-graduation plans:
After graduation, I’d like to return to Japan to teach English. I’m open to teaching in China, too.
To find out more about our internship program in Japan please visit: http://globalstudies.unl.edu/senshu-matsudo-jr-high-school
More details at: http://globalstudies.unl.edu/senshu-matsudo-jr-high-school