Languages, Literatures and Cultures students at the University of Delaware have seized opportunities abroad to build exciting careers — including Japanese animation, a summer language program in Taiwan and two doctoral fellowships for French literature graduate students.

Language and animation in Japan

Senior Patrick Robinson is finishing up his UD degree in game studies & esports with language credits from Japan. Robinson decided to pack up and move to Japan to pursue a career and education in Japanese arts. He has adjusted to his new life while developing a greater knowledge of the world around him, juggling two exciting parts of his life—academics and a budding career in animation—with each day opening a new door to learning something new.

As a student at Japan Tokyo International School in Shinjuku, Robinson is learning how to speak and write Japanese with people from all over the world. Every day is something new and interesting, either learning new kanji or new phrases to mix into his daily conversation. The class is lively and engaging. Outside of that, Robinson loves to talk and engage with the teachers to deepen his knowledge.

He puts these skills to use every day working as an animator in Japan’s dynamic anime industry, where he has learned new skills on top of those gained in his years as a game studies major. With its long hours, complex projects and tight deadlines, the anime industry is a challenging area to work in. Robinson must usually complete a handful of cuts a week. (A “cut” is a piece of animation that is a small moment in a larger scene.) Robinson animates these scenes, which could be seven or eight cuts long, and then works with an animation director who makes sure his work blends well with all the other art in the show.

Outside of work and school, Robinson enjoys many hobbies, including drawing comics, building models and traveling across Japan. He recently trekked up the famous Mount Takao, where he saw the peak of Mount Fuji. Every day is an adventure as he navigates his new and exciting life.

Taiwan Intensive Summer Language Program

Savannah Anderson, a senior double major in Chinese and Spanish studies, was admitted to the 2025 Taiwan Intensive Summer Language Program (TISLP) in Taipei, Taiwan. She has also been awarded a Fulbright-Hays Scholarship in the amount of $7,000. Support for American Councils Fulbright-Hays Fellowships is provided by a grant from the U.S. Department of Education, Fulbright-Hays Group Projects Abroad.

Also participating in the Taiwan Intensive Summer Language Program are juniors David Konitzer, a double major in global studies and political science, and Silo Murphy, a quadruple major in mathematics, computer science, Chinese studies and Asian studies.

Graduate Fellowships in French Literature

French M.A. candidates Cécile Raas and Victor Abioye were admitted with generous fellowships to doctoral programs in French literature. Raas will attend Princeton University in fall 2025, and Abioye will attend the University of Maryland.