Chance occurrences lead scholar to Nanzan University
Through a series of chance occurrences, De’Jia Long Hillie developed an admiration for Japan. Experiencing Japan for five days in eighth grade made twelve-year-old De’Jia realize the world was filled with unknowns, and she sought knowledge. Born in Detroit, raised in Maryland, De’Jia set her eyes on studying Japanese in high school. As her mom prepared for their move to Maryland, De’Jia asked to attend a high school offering Japanese. She participated in quiz bowls sponsored by the Japan-America Society of Washington, DC that motivated her to continue studying Japanese.
De’Jia is a senior pursuing a B.A. in Global Studies with a concentration in International Affairs and a Political Science minor. De’Jia is grateful for the Watanabe scholarship because she believes every hard-working student should have the opportunity to embark on an adventure free of financial stress. De’Jia strives to encourage her younger cousins to reach for their dreams. She is attending Nanzan University participating in the intensive Center for Japanese Studies program this Fall 2019. As someone who wants to pursue a career promoting cultural exchange, studying in Japan will aid her ability to connect and empathize with people different from herself.
Posted: September 3, 2019, 11:46 AM
