When Emily Mitchell ’23 arrived in Kyoto, Japan, for 12 months of intensive language study, she carried more than a suitcase. As the University of Puget Sound’s Miki Memorial Scholar, she represented the university in a program designed to strengthen cultural understanding and friendship between Japan and the United States.
Mitchell, who graduated with a double major in Japanese and Politics and Government, spent the last academic year at the Kyoto Institute of Culture and Language (KICL), improving her fluency and experiencing daily life in Japan while living with a host family. Funded by the Miki Memorial Endowment, the award covers a full year of tuition and fees at KICL, round-trip airfare, monthly living expenses, and homestay accommodations.
Mitchell recently returned to campus to speak to students interested in learning more about the opportunity. She says the experience has transformed how she communicates and understands Japanese culture.
“A major part of learning the language was getting that native fluency — being able to speak the way a Japanese speaker actually would, not just regurgitating textbook sentences,” Mitchell said.
At KICL, students attend classes five days a week and can pursue advanced coursework, including preparation for the Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT). While abroad, Mitchell successfully passed the N1 — the most difficult exam of the JLPT.
When she wasn’t studying, Mitchell explored the region, joining classmates from around the world attending cultural festivals, traditional New Year celebrations, and weekend travel across Kyoto’s historic districts. She shares that her homestay really helped immerse her in the culture, and even put her politics and government degree to the test when her host family initiated conversations about global events.
“My host mom loved to chat about our days over dinner, and she would ask me about my opinion on all sorts of world events,” Mitchell said. “She would say ‘As an American, how do you feel about X, Y, Z?’ It was stressful sometimes, but it helped me learn how to talk about complex subjects in Japanese.”
Mitchell acknowledged that living abroad for a year came with challenges, including navigating health care and adapting to an unfamiliar climate. But the support she received from her host family, teachers, and friends helped her grow.
“You gain cultural context as well as language skills, confidence that you can survive and thrive in a foreign country on your own, and friendships with people from all over the world,” she said.
Puget Sound students interested in Japanese language, culture, and history can pursue an Asian Studies major or minor as well as study abroad opportunities in Japan and across Asia. The Miki Memorial Scholar Award is open to current seniors and recent graduates who demonstrate a strong interest in Japanese language and cultural studies.
While speaking to students, Mitchell encouraged them to apply, even if they worry their language skills are not up to par.
“Even if you have just a little bit of interest, I highly advise that you give it a shot,” she said. “This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”
The Miki Memorial Endowment Fund, established in 1994, honors former trustee Kiseko Miki Takahashi and the legacy of the late Prime Minister Takeo Miki, both deeply committed to strengthening U.S.-Japan ties.
Applications for the next Miki Memorial Scholar Award are due Jan. 20, 2026. Visit the university website to learn more about the Miki Memorial Scholar Award.
