Japanese Communications by Jalil

Japanese Communications by Jalil - August 2019 Scholarship Essay

An opportunity for a gap year laid in front of me provides many, many rewards but coming with these rewards come many dangers. This is due to the numerous options that one, or me in this case, would be presented with and it could potentially get out of hand if not prepared beforehand. For me, it was unbelievably crucial to realize that a gap year isn’t a synonym for “vacation”. With knowing this, I would immediately come up with a strategic plan inclusive of developing work-applicable skills, finding work experience, experiencing different cultures infused in traveling opportunities, and mandatory rest periods to keep myself fresh.
As one that has been blessed to have several family members living in Japan, resultant of an uncle serving on an U.S. Military base, there are opportunities there for me to receive quality and invaluable work experience in an international communications field. This field appeals to me largely resultant of my passions in language-learning and writing, in terms of journalism and narrative-writing. With this particular work experience, I would be set up magnificently for my future having had experiences in my field and in different cultures, and developing work-applicable skills. Not to mention, I would have a great story to tell to family, friends, and potential college acquaintances. So that is how I would make the most of my gap year opportunity.