Iona Fleming

Iona took the BA in Japanese Studies (with Year Abroad), graduating in July 2022.

What do you do now?

Upon graduating, I joined the JET (Japan Teaching and Exchange) Program and moved to work in a small city in the south of Japan called Kumamoto. I spent 2 years working as an ALT (Assistant Language Teacher) in public schools there. In addition to my primary teaching role, I was involved panel discussions for Kumamoto Education Week, facilitating training for present and incoming ALTs, and setting up inter-school language exchanges. In August of this year, I left this role, and Japan, to move to Berlin, Germany. I am now studying a MA in Global History at Freie Universität and Humboldt Universität, with a focus on Japanese and East Asian history of course. I am loving being in another intensely international environment that, while very different to Japan, is supplying me with a whole new set of exciting challenges.

What was your favourite module and why? 

Excluding the wonderful (although often tough) language classes, there were two (quite different) final year modules that were both challenging but also extremely exciting. First, I really enjoyed a module focused on working with historical and literary Japanese texts. Although difficult at points, it was really useful in learning how to work with different types of Japanese language sources and I found it fascinating decoding older Japanese texts. These skills were essential in writing my dissertation and I am using them to this day in academic research. Second, I also took a performance art module which was really fun in its encouragement of exploring personal research interests, as well as learning a whole new set of analytical skills.

What did you do on your year abroad? 

While my original plan was to do an exchange year at a university in Tokyo, the COVID-19 pandemic really shifted this off course with the program being cancelled. Despite this, I ended up having the best, if unconventional, eight months studying at a small language school in Tokyo and then working at a summer camp in rural Niigata prefecture. Most valuably, I made some incredible friendships which are still strong to this day!

What is the most important piece of advice you'd like to give to students of Modern Languages? 

I was always advising my students in Kumamoto to think about languages first and foremost as simply a tool that enables communication and connection; to think less about perfect grammar or making mistakes, and more about just being able to get your ideas and feelings across to whoever you’re interacting with. This is especially important on the year abroad as you have to open yourself up to making constant (and sometimes embarrassing) mistakes in order to build the connections with people that will in turn allow you the space to actually improve your language abilities.

What is your favourite memory of Durham? 

My favourite memories of Durham are often connected to the clubs and societies that I was involved in. From heated discussions in research groups on East Asian politics and society, to charity fashion shows or summer boat parties with the Anglo-Japanese Society, I loved being able to immerse myself in such an active and exciting community.

Iona’s profile is on LinkedIn here: Iona Fleming - 日本 熊本県 | プロフェッショナルプロフィール | LinkedIn