Alyssa Bonifacio
<i>"Hello" in your host country's language:</i> こんにちは (Konnichiwa)
<i>Home Institution (your U.S. University/College):</i> Mercer University
<i>Expected graduation year:</i> 2024
<i>Destination city & country:</i> Aizuwakamatsu, Japan
<i>Program provider:</i> University of Aizu
<i>Major/minor:</i> Computer Engineering
<i>Demographics:</i> Asian/Asian American, First-Generation American, First-Generation College Student
<i>Future career aspirations:</i> Work as a civilian computer engineer on military bases to improve defense for the U.S. and its allies. Also find a way to intertwine Japanese language skills with my computer engineering career or on the side.
<i>Top 3 goals for your time abroad:</i> 1. Learn about professors' and classmates' perspectives on STEM and life; University of Aizu's professors come from overseas, including countries such as Vietnam, India, South Korea, Canada, United States, Russia and China
2. Improve critical thinking skills by facing new situations and becoming bilingual
3. Explore a different culture aside from the two I've been familiar with (Filipino & American)
