I was fortunate to study and work in Japan and Hong Kong—a transformative experience that encouraged me to go beyond my specialist interest in Japan and find joy in learning about East Asia, and, after my move to New Zealand, the Pacific.

Studying Japanese language will open up a variety of career opportunities, adding value from a professional perspective as well as being an enriching experience personally. And if you participate in a study-abroad opportunity or in more informal exchanges with Japanese students you’ll develop leadership and communication skills, as well as a rich transcultural literacy and creativity.

Culture is fertile terrain on which identities are formed, negotiated and transformed and it can lead to empowerment. I am always excited to share my own passion.

After finishing her Master of Arts in Anthropology at Minzu University of China, Wenwen decided to take a pause in her academic career.

I worked as an executive editor for art magazines in Beijing. After three years writing for publications each month, I decided to spend three or four years finishing just one piece—a PhD thesis.

My PhD research focused on how guohua (Chinese ink-brush painting) in the 1980s represented a combination of the literati’s tastes with those of the plebeians.

The project primarily involved research into contemporary Chinese art history, and investigating the changes on motifs and expressions of guohua. The purpose was to investigate the so-called ‘Chinese tradition’ in ink-brush painting, and examine how Chinese tradition has been continuously reinterpreted in terms of nationalism.

The history and reputation of Victoria University of Wellington made it a natural choice for my studies. The Japanese programme here challenges me to push my limits with my Japanese language and cultural knowledge. It’s far more comprehensive than I could have imagined. I’ve learnt a range of things, from Japan’s most famous first pieces of literature, to modern colloquialisms that I can use in daily conversation.

I was able to participate in an exchange with Hutt City’s sister city, Minoh, in Osaka. I also received one of the Prime Minister’s Scholarship for Asia, to travel to Japan. This will give me the opportunity to immerse myself completely in the Japanese language and culture for an entire year in what will be an unforgettable experience.

I absolutely love living in Wellington—there’s no other city in New Zealand quite like it. The vibrant food and arts scene means that no week is the same. I never find myself getting bored. The city is easy to navigate on foot or by public transport—so easy that I’ve been able to live here without a driver’s license. Wellington has something for everyone.

Throughout my time completing a Bachelor of Arts in Chinese and International Relations I was given ample opportunities to gain skills that would go on to help me succeed, and studying a foreign language was the highlight.

In my third year of study I went on a semester-long exchange to Nankai University in China—an experience that changed a lot for me by exposing me to a fundamentally different culture and arming me with Mandarin language fluency.

I also completed the Wellington International Leadership Programme, which prepared me for leadership in an international environment.

With these valuable extracurricular experiences I was able to obtain several scholarships that enabled me to continue studying in China, and eventually gain a career related to my field of study. I now work for the China Cultural Centre in New Zealand, where my Chinese language skills allow me to serve a vital role in coordinating with Chinese and English-speaking stakeholders.

I simply would not be where I am today had I not studied a language at Victoria University of Wellington.