Kirk Preston

Kirk Preston participated in the 2023 CLS Japanese Program hosted by Okayama University in Okayama, Japan. Kirk graduated from Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology with a bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering and International Studies. He currently works at Deloitte as a Risk & Financial Advisory Analyst focusing on cyber infrastructure. Kirk plans to use his Japanese language skills to bridge cultural differences between US and Japanese teams as he pursues a career in cybersecurity.

Getting to Know Kirk 

I grew up in Fort Worth, TX and graduated from the Young Men’s Leadership Academy in Fort Worth as part of the first graduating class. Then I went to Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology out-of-state in Indiana. I studied engineering and I was able to continue playing football at the collegiate level. Going out of state was my first time really being in an environment different from my home in Texas. My out-of-state college experience was my stepping stone to explore what the world had to offer. Internships, personal travel, exchange programs, and CLS provided me a way to see just how far I could go. In Japan, truly understanding the power of language in an immersive environment and connecting with individuals across cultures was immensely rewarding for me. As a multiracial person, my ability to learn languages and cultures has made me confident in navigating the world around me. 

Why Study Japanese? 

Throughout my time in high school, I made close Japanese connections that became family friends. They took me under their wing and introduced me to the Japanese Society and the Fort Worth Japanese Botanical Gardens. I loved these experiences, and I quickly recognized that language was the key to understanding and connecting with other cultures on a deeper level. 

A Favorite Phrase in Japanese

起死回生（きしかいせい）Ki-shi-kai-sei, which means ‘Wake from death, return to life’. It’s the English equivalent of ‘when life gives you lemons, make lemonade’. Overcome any situation, no matter how difficult. 

Why Should Others Learn Japanese 

I appreciated the warm and friendly culture of Japan as I traveled throughout various cities. I loved seeing the countryside of Japan, its history and castles contrasted by a sleek Shinkansen bolting through tunnels between mountains. If you want to experience a warm and elegant culture, rich history, and modern technology, Japanese is the language for you. The Japanese language is your key to exploring everything about Japan. 

Ringing the Peace Bell Together

Toward the end of my CLS experience, I went to the Hiroshima Peace Memorial. I rang the peace bell in Memorial Park together with an older Japanese woman. As a young American, this was a surreal experience. Only a few generations ago, our countries were at war. Today, citizens of Japan and the United States can ring a peace bell together here, contemplating the remains of the Genbaku Dome, which was destroyed in WWII, and appreciating a now flourishing Hiroshima. It was an experience that allowed me to understand what it is to be human in that moment; recognizing and appreciating our differences while capitalizing on our shared strengths. 

Sharing New Perspectives 

I shared my experiences from the community in which I was raised in Fort Worth, Texas with my language partner and friends I made at the Language Café at Okayama University. How we’re raised shapes our perspectives, so being able to share my background and life lessons I’ve learned was one lasting impression I could leave with my host community. I also learned from my Japanese friends’ perspectives. They helped me see the world through lenses I didn’t know existed. Creating blog posts about my experiences in Japan gave me a place to put everything in writing and send it back to the community that shaped me in Fort Worth. It was my way of sharing my experiences with friends and family back home. 

The Language Pledge and Adapting to New Environments 

As my cohort put it when we were in Japan, “there are no more subtitles”. Being immersed in a language that is very far from English linguistically is a challenge, and it can be mentally exhausting. In the opening weeks, give yourself time to catch up, adjust, and take in the host country. Everyone is experiencing this adjustment. Stick to the language pledge. It will be challenging, but it will also push you and drive your growth. By the end of the program, you will be surprised by how much you have learned through immersion. 

Words of Advice 

Take the risk to apply and go through the experiences the CLS program has to offer. You never know how these experiences could change your life. The Japanese family friends from my hometown knew a family in Okayama. They put me in touch, and informally, I was able to have a host mom in Japan. It was nice having a mom away from home. She looked out for me, I greatly appreciated it, and now I have a ‘home’ in Okayama to fly back to one day. 

Go for it, you never know what could happen.