Name: Whitney Marie Thompson    

 

Title of Program: Japanese and Chinese Language and Literature

 

E-mail Address: wthomps9@utk.edu

 

Hometown: Knoxville, Tennessee

 

Year: Sophomore

 

Anticipated Graduation Date: Spring 2009

 

Description of Program: I am primarily focusing on learning Japanese and Chinese languages, including significant literature. I also want to include courses and activities that relate to learning about the history and culture of Japan and China, and grow to a better understanding of how the two countries relate to each other and to my own home country and experience as an American.

 

Departmental Emphases: Modern Foreign Languages and Literatures, Asian Studies

 

Faculty Mentor: Dr. Jon LaCure

 

Plans after graduation (career, graduate/professional school, etc.): I would like to attend graduate studies in Japanese literature. I am also thinking about teaching English in Japan or China for a year or two after graduation.

 

Other Academic Interests: Although my primary focus is on Japan and China, I have always been fascinated by ancient history across the world.  I also enjoy learning about English, Classics, and Art.

 

Prior Enrollment at Other Colleges or Universities: none

 

Study Abroad: I plan to study abroad in Japan and China, for at least a summer/semester in each country, hopefully for longer.

 

Research Experiences or Internships:

 

Part-time employment; Hobbies; Campus Clubs/Activities: I am employed part-time as a Student Library Assistant in the Reference Department at Hodges Library on Campus. I actually enjoy this job because firstly I love to read and be around books, and secondly I like to help people with research. I am very involved with my church and teach a preschool Sunday school class with one of my friends. I also try to involve myself in special activities and projects at church when I have time according to my class schedule.  When I don’t have class late on Tuesday nights I help out with a conversational English class for international students in the Knoxville area.  My hobbies include ballroom dance, sketching and painting, reading, crochet and other occasional handicrafts, cooking and baking, and occasionally playing the piano. I also enjoy watching foreign films in Chinese and Japanese, and watching Japanese anime in Japanese as well as listening to Japanese and Chinese music.

 

Additional Information: