Marissa's experience in GLI

Living in Japan had been a dream of Marissa's since she was a child, Marissa told us. Marissa was born in a rural town in Japan and grew up here in Missoula, so when she had the opportunity to study abroad, she knew she wanted to go to a big city in Japan. Marissa attended Waseda University in Tokyo where she took a number of international business and Japanese language courses. Everything, from the buildings, transportation system, and people, was different than anything she was used to, she shared with us. Marissa was "nervous to say the least" when she first arrived, but now, she confidently says it was the best decision she ever made.

"I had the opportunity to interact with people of many different backgrounds, gained a newfound confidence in myself, and now have a better understanding of who I am and what I want to do with my life."