Wakana Teshiba
Why did you decide to study at Brandeis University?
As a student raised mainly in Japan surrounded by a homogenous crowd, Brandeis’ drive for diversity and inclusion sparked my interest upon my discovery. Hearing from friends that have spoken about Brandeis, it’s small community with a close sense of family with everyone. Furthermore, as a liberal arts student, Brandeis’ liberal arts program has been highly renowned throughout the world and thus piqued my interest.
Caption: Wakana Teshia (left) poses with a friend.
What was your first impression of Brandeis University?
It was a refreshing sight to see the tight-knitted community with people from all walks of life. The campus’ facilities have impressed me, from classes, buildings and people, Brandeis allows itself to create a highly welcoming atmosphere to people regardless of background.
Please compare Brandeis University and your University (Waseda University) — academic life, student life, etc.
It is different in all aspects, so it is difficult to compare, but I noticed that in Brandeis, student life is centered on campus, which was something new to me. Most students live on campus or close to the campus, so many of the activities I engage in happen on campus, and there is this close connection to the school.
What is the best part of being a peer tutor?
The best part of being a peer tutor is that I was able to interact with Brandeis students who are interested in Japanese culture. Through the sessions, I learned more about my own culture by discussing the differences between cultures in Japan and other countries.
What is the most difficult part of being a peer tutor?
The most difficult part of being a peer tutor is that I had to be aware of the language and vocabulary that I use as a native Japanese speaker because this is different from what students have learned in their classes. Also, because all students have varying levels of Japanese, it was challenging to find what would suit each individual level appropriately.
Wakama Teshiba, left, leads a tutoring session.