Alex Pervine is a 2024 graduate of MSU, graduating with a bachelors in psychology and double minored in Asian Studies and leadership organizations. His experience at JCMU rekindled his passion for teaching, and inspired him to pivot to education obtain his teaching certificate.

I have had many great experiences during my time through JCMU. One that I want to highlight is a biking trip that I took with my JCMU roommate, but now great longtime friend, Michael. It was after our classes, and we wanted to ride our bikes 30 minutes from the dormitory to check out a local game store, a recommendation from a long-time staff member. I remember us rushing with excitement to drop off our bags and get going for the day. We took our bikes and ended up taking a break halfway through to soak in the scenery during our trip. I just remember standing right here in this photo, thinking to myself just how unreal it felt to be somewhere so far away from home, and it started to feel more familiar.

A gigantic takeaway that I was so fortunate enough to have is my dorm experience with my roommate, Michael. I believe that if you want to see yourself grow in different ways, you need to make sure that your environment and the people around you are going to enhance that growth as well, such as having someone who is as hardworking and kind as he is. I felt that we were able to enjoy the fun experiences that being at JCMU offers, but also engaged with each other that challenged each other's understanding of a globalized community and helped each other understand what we both want to do with our lives. We both talked about trying to meet in Japan again one day, and in the summer of 2025, we were able to do that! Michael was doing JCMU’s Intensive Language Program during this time, and I was working an internship in Japan at the time. We were able to meet in Osaka. While it may seem very small, for me, this was a true moment that showcased if you work hard, you can achieve your wildest dreams. Like I said earlier, your experience at JCMU could change who you are if you let it!

During any experience at JCMU, it will challenge you to think differently and also to see the world from a different perspective. This experience will impact you as much as you are willing to let it! I have met so many great people during my short-program that only lasted 1 month that I can gladly say have helped me transition my career into something I‘m more passionate about. This has also inspired me to contribute to a more globalized community and wanting to see it continue to grow. This experience alone helped me with professional goals, such as getting accepted into an internship in Japan, and helped me understand more of what is important in my life.