Miki Shono: Kansai University student returns to KU to teach Japanese

In 2017 Miki Shono was a Japanese student with the Kansai University program struggling to make connections with Americans in her first semester at KU. A graduate teaching assistant invited her to observe a Japanese language class, which turned out to be a pivotal moment for forming friendships with Americans and her career path.

“I didn’t know there were a lot of American students who study Japanese or were interested in Japan, so that made me think I want to teach Japanese in the future,” Shono said. “It looked so fun.”

Seven years later, Shono is teaching Japanese as a GTA at KU as she pursues a master’s degree in East Asian languages and culture.

“I always try to show gratitude for all the connections I get,” Shono said. “Without meeting the GTAs, I maybe would not be here right now.”

Shono, who grew up in Kyoto, Japan, dreamed of living in a foreign country. She studied abroad in Canada during high school and then chose to attend Kansai University in Osaka because of its international exchange programs, including one with KU.

Managed by International Short Programs, the Kansai University program is nine months long and allows students to study English at the Applied English Center, take KU academic courses in the fall and participate in cultural and work experiences.

During her first few months at KU, Shono was improving her English skills at the AEC and found it difficult to communicate with American students. She had made several friendships with GTAs in the Department of East Asian Languages and Cultures, one of whom invited her to observe his Japanese language class.

At that class, Shono was introduced to American students and soon began participating in a language exchange program, where American students would practice their Japanese with her for 30 minutes and she would practice her English with them for 30 minutes.

Her connections to American students continued to grow when she changed dorm rooms and was placed with an American roommate, who became a good friend.

“It was a really good opportunity for me to communicate with an American student and we still keep in touch,” Shono said.

After completing the exchange program at KU, Shono returned to Kansai University and graduated in 2020 with a degree in English and minor in Chinese. After graduation she began working as a flight attendant, where she served on domestic and international flights to the United Kingdom, United States, Germany and Vietnam.

Shono enjoyed using her English skills on international flights, but after three years was ready to explore other career opportunities.

“I decided to apply to the KU program and that I wanted to teach Japanese to American students,” Shono said.

Shono began her graduate program at KU in fall 2023. This semester she teaches the listening and speaking section for two classes of intermediate-level Japanese. She enjoys the connection she forms with students and aims to support them as much as possible.

“My goal is to teach Japanese to those who have never studied it before or who have never been to Japan, and then I want them to come to Japan,” Shono said.

At KU Shono finds ways to share Japanese culture and traditions through volunteering with the Japanese Student Association at events like the Japanese Summer Festival in Kansas City and the Mid-Autumn Festival, hosted by the Center for East Asian Studies and Student Union Activities.

“Even though schoolwork and teaching are really hard and make me busy,” Shono said, “I try to go outside and get to know lots of people that may open my future.”