Meet Hinako, a senior at the University of Nevada, Reno and an international student from Japan. Hinako has spent four transformative years in Reno, Nevada, pursuing her bachelor’s degree, and will soon graduate with a BS in information systems. Read on to learn more about her journey from Japan to the University of Nevada, Reno, how she chose her major, her memorable campus experiences, and plans for the future.
From Japan to the University of Nevada, Reno
After completing a language program in Japan, Hinako began considering universities abroad. It was during this time that she met a teacher who had graduated from the University of Nevada, Reno. Fortunately, the language program she attended had a partnership with the University of Nevada, Reno, making the choice to study there a fitting option for her next move.
Reno, a smaller city than Hinako’s hometown of Osaka, was challenging to get used to at first. She was homesick for Osaka, and her arrival coincided with the COVID-19 pandemic, which significantly changed campus life. Despite the initial challenges, though, Hinako immersed herself in the university community and soon began to settle into her new life in the States.
“As I spent some time here, met more people here, and found my communities, I started feeling like this [was] home,” she said.
Established in 1874, the University of Nevada, Reno is known for research, a global campus community, and welcoming atmosphere. With more than 700 international students and 200 researchers and faculty members representing 63 countries, the school enabled Hinako to pursue her studies within a diverse student body and develop a global perspective.
Combining Her Interests, Switching Majors
Hinako had not settled on a major when she first arrived at the University of Nevada, Reno. Initially, she considered majoring in human development and family studies (HDFS). Having observed opportunities to improve English education in her hometown, she saw herself becoming an educator, and believed that majoring in HDFS would provide her with a rich understanding of human behavior and development. However, while she loved and found the field interesting, she struggled to envision a well-defined career path with this specialization.
During the summer break after her sophomore year, she spent two months in Los Angeles and another month in New York where she had the opportunity to interact with professionals in technology roles. Her new contacts were making significant contributions to their respective industries, particularly in areas such as computer programming and data science. These experiences opened her eyes to the exciting possibilities in tech, ultimately shaping her decision to pursue a major in information systems.
“I realized that being in technology and data would be good for me in the future, because the knowledge of how to utilize technology in business — or in my personal life, too — [was] important,” she said.
She still continued her HDFS studies though, and switched her credits to apply toward a minor. In fact, an HDFS class on parenting left a lasting impression, providing valuable insights into child development and family dynamics. This knowledge resonated with Hinako, as she hopes to apply it to her future endeavors.
By majoring in information systems while retaining HDFS as a minor, Hinako has explored innovative ways of integrating technology into education, benefitting both her academic and future career goals. Her current goal is to combine her interest in education with the power of cutting-edge technology, so she can pursue a future career in educational technology (also known as edtech).
Earning a Degree from the University of Nevada, Reno
Hinako’s journey at the University of Nevada, Reno was defined by new experiences. She found the university atmosphere to be friendly and welcoming, with a beautiful campus that offered a sense of community. While some of her classes were quite large, she always felt able to engage with professors and seek help when needed.
In requesting support, Hinako said, “I think it really depends on your personality… and if you can be comfortable asking questions. There are so many resources, and so many faculty members [who] are willing to help students.”
If you like [a] laid back [environment], nature, [a] quieter, safer place, I would definitely recommend Reno. Academic-wise, we have a good education system, as long as you’re comfortable asking for help, putting yourself out there, and being active.” — Hinako from Japan, Information Systems Major, University of Nevada, Reno
Hinako’s Future Plans and Advice for International Students
As a senior, Hinako will soon graduate. Her goal is to secure a job in the US, a path she’s eager to explore as her major in information systems provides her with up to three years of Optional Practical Training (OPT).
Her advice to international students who want to study in the US or at the University of Nevada, Reno is to actively participate in campus life.
“Try to get engaged with the campus life in general,” she said. “As long as you try to get involved with the campus, or university systems, I think that’s going to help a lot because that’s something that really helped me adjust to life in the US.”
With more than 300 student organizations and groups on campus to choose from, as well as extensive programming and support from the Office of International Student Services (OISS), Hinako had a wide variety of options for connecting with like-minded students who shared her interests. The welcoming community and faculty advisors she found at the University of Nevada, Reno helped Hinako not only pursue her passions, but also thrive in the US.
Hinako is charting her own future, combining human development with information systems management to pursue a career that’s both STEM-focused and caring.
Which innovative path will you pursue at the University of Nevada, Reno?
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