The FLA Writing Center tutors are postgraduates in or graduates of Sophia University programs. They have all gone through training to ensure they can offer the most in their tutorials. As most tutors are in the process of writing and researching themselves, they are in the ideal position to help other student writers with their writing needs.
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Alice
Experience in Japan: My first long-term stay in Japan started in 2017. Before that I only had several short visits to various parts of Japan such as Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka. Beginning in 2017, I attended Keio University as an exchange student. For a year, I took a Japanese Language course during which I got fascinated with Japanese culture (especially Japanese art). After a year of stay in Japan, I returned to New York to finish my MA degree at New York University where I did my BA as well. In 2018, I came to Japan again as a Ph.D. student at Sophia University and have been majoring in Japanese Studies. Academic Writing Experience: I have various experiences of teaching English (especially writing). I taught TOEFL, SAT writing/reading sections, AP English and AP U.S. History. Also, currently I am teaching at several universities as a visiting professor. As a person with various teaching experiences, I love being around students and helping them. |
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Baba
Experience in Japan: I have lived in Japan since 2016. With the benefit of the award of a MEXT Research Student Scholarship, I graduated with an M.A. degree in Global Studies from the GPGS in March 2019, at Sophia University. In April 2019, I began my studies and research for a Ph.D in Global Studies at the GPGS, Sophia University. I have served as Research Assistant and Teacher Assistant to several professors across a variety of fields at Sophia University. Academic Writing Experience: I am a 2020 aluminus of the “Writeshop” tendered for Ph.D scholars (scholar-activists) by the Journal of Peasant Studies in conjunction with the Institute for Poverty, Land and Agrarian Studies. My thesis for the M.A. degree in Global Studies titled “For the State of the People: The Political Economy of Natural Resource Concession” is currently being transformed into several academic articles for publication. As a Ph.D student I have developed quite some solid and independent skills in formulating, guidelines and utilizing methodologies for conducting research. Currently, I am working on several academic research articles one of which was peer-reviewed by scholar-activists and senior editors at the Journal of Peasant Studies. |
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Enzo
Experience in Japan: Having learned of Sophia University from an international youth leadership program, I decided to pursue graduate studies in the University because Japan caught my interest as a global space of encounter that is worthy of critical study. With its unique history and prominent position in Asia, I went to Tokyo for my graduate degree because I wanted to experience and learn about globalization from an Asian perspective. Besides this, I am also an avid fan of Japanese literature, having read works by Ryunosuke Akutagawa, Shusaku Endo and Haruki Murakami. Academic writing: As a researcher who specializes in politics and as someone who has a minor degree in literature, I have experience in writing both social science and humanities research papers that effectively and creatively communicate. As a writer, I believe that what makes a good paper is its power to convey technical knowledge to a wider, general audience. By working in the Writing Center and actively engaging with students’ works and ideas, I believe that when I tutor, I also learn innovative writing skills and techniques. In my experience, appreciating the exchange of constructive feedback really makes a tangible difference in helping individuals grow as writers. |
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Gibran
Experience in Japan: I lived in Tokyo and Hiroshima when I was a child from 1995-1998 and 1998-1999 respectively. I went back to Tokyo in August 2014 for my M.A. degree in Global Studies at GPGS, Sophia University. I graduated in March 2017 after taking two-semester leave of absence from September 2015-2016 for another M.A. program at the University of Birmingham. In February 2020, I was awarded with MEXT Research Student Scholarship for my incoming Ph.D. research and studies at GPGS, Sophia University. Academic Writing Experience: Upon my graduation from the M.A. program in March 2017, I worked as a tutor at the Writing Center from April-August 2017. Thereafter, I joined President University in Cikarang, Indonesia as a lecturer of International Relations study program. Aside from fulfilling my teaching obligations, I have worked extensively on the topic of ASEAN norms and principles as well as conducting joint research with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Indonesia. Concurrently, I served as Managing Editor II of AEGIS Journal of International Relations for two years where I was responsible for formulating guidelines, editing, and laying out submitted manuscripts. |
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Jake
Experience in Japan: I have been interested in Japanese history, language, culture, and aesthetics since I was very young. I first lived in Japan as a university exchange student in 2006, where I lived in Yamaguchi Prefecture. I obtained a Masters Degree in International Relations at the Australian National University in 2012. I then moved to Tokyo in 2014 to begin my PhD at Sophia University, specializing in modern Japanese politics. I hope to teach in Japan after I graduate. Academic writing experience: I began my university life around 2002, meaning I have been writing for about 16 years. But there is still room for improvement. I believe I can learn as much from my students as they can from me, so I really enjoy working at the writing centre. |
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Jonathan
Experience in Japan: I came to Japan in fall of 2014 and graduated with an M.A. in Global Studies here at Sophia University. Originally from Miami Florida in the United States, living in Japan has been a greatly enriching experience. Over the course of seven years, I have come to know and love Sophia’s Yotsuya campus for its people, culture, and ethos. Having had some important Jesuit professors during my undergraduate studies, I have seen in Sophia a shining example of what I was taught: excellence, a Christian-Humanist education focused on the whole person (academic, human and spiritual) and a community based in solidarity with and for others in an international setting. I’m currently conducting research on Political Opportunity Structure (Cuban dissident movements) and preparing for my PhD. Academic writing experience: I have been engaged in academic writing, editing, and proofreading for about 11 years. While studying for my undergraduate degree in Philosophy in Miami I started working with ESL students with their English writing, editing and translation. I also proofread and translated graduate level papers while studying in the US. I’ve been working with Sophia University students at the FLA Writing Center since 2015. After graduation I taught for several years in the Academic English Program at Temple University (Japan Campus). Besides our writing center, I presently serve as an Adjunct Assistant Professor of Global Studies at Musashino University’s Faculty of Global Studies (武蔵野大学), Adjunct Assistant Professor of Comparative Culture at Otsuma Women’s University (大妻女子大学) and Chief Operating Officer for SIAA (ソフィア会の国際教養学部同窓会: FLA/GPGS’s branch of Sophia University’s Alumni Association). |
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Munia
Experience in Japan: My first experience with Japan was in 2008 when I was invited to participate in the INDEX Youth Exchange Conference. I returned to Japan seven years later as a MEXT scholar. Since then, I have graduated from the MA program of the GPGSP and am currently a PhD Candidate in the same program. It has been a long and challenging journey, but it has also been one of the most enjoyable experiences in my life, and I look forward to what is to come. Academic Writing Experience: Prior to coming to Japan, I was a high school teacher for ten years as well as an IB certified teacher. I have been an IB examiner for the English exam writing component for the past 15 years and have been a teaching assistant at Sophia University. In addition, I have written an MA thesis and am currently writing a PhD Dissertation while preparing articles for publication. |
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Paulina
Experience in Japan: The first time I came to Japan in 2018 I was an undergraduate student. I stayed in Japan for a month and from that moment on, I knew I wanted to come back and tried to find ways to return. I decided to study my MA in Sophia University and now I have been living here for a year. I find my courses very enjoyable. As much as I love writing (not an expert but constantly learning), I think the best way to master something is through teaching. Therefore, what better way than to help fellow students with their essays. Academic Writing Experience: My first experience in Japan was three years ago when I came to Chiba University for a summer course. For this course my teammates and I had to develop a video portraying the differences between Japanese and Mexican societies in several aspects such as spirituality, architecture, leisure, gastronomy, infrastructure, among others. The project consisted of showing diversity and several perspectives of life as opposed to comparing both societies in general terms. I was in charge of writing the script of the video as of the background information we needed for the project prior to making the video. I am currently studying my MA in Global Studies in Sophia University and starting to write my Thesis. |
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Ronish
Experience in Japan: My first taste of Japan was in 2012 courtesy of the then program called “Kizuna Project”, in Fiji. I was given the opportunity to travel to Japan to learn about the culture and people here. Our trip was a year on from the Great East Japan Earthquake and my experience was breath-taking. We met many locals, who shared their experiences of the disaster and how they had started to rebuild their lives which created a unique bond with this country. In 2020, I was awarded the MEXT Research Student Scholarship to pursue my Masters at Sophia University’s GPGS and I arrived in Japan in November. Academic Writing Experience: Having completed my Bachelors degree in Journalism and Political Science, I have extensive academic writing experience. As a student, I had written many social science and politics related papers. Upon graduation, I worked in two universities in Fiji as their media and public relations specialist which has enhanced my writing, proof reading and editing skills. I also won two student journalist awards in Fiji and one in Canada, while studying at Simon Fraser University as an international exchange student. In addition to, I have been a journalist in all forms of media organisations in Fiji (Newspaper, TV, Radio, Online), a volunteer international correspondent for TBS eFM in Seoul and also wrote for the weekly student newspaper at Simon Fraser University. |
Do you have what it takes to be a writing center tutor?
FLA Writing Center Tutor Qualifications
Applicants should…
* Applicants must also have a ‘Working Permission’ and ‘Residence Card’.
Job Description
If you are interested in working as a tutor, please email the Writing Center (wrtng-c@sophia.ac.jp).
In your email explain why you want to work for the FLA Writing Center and how many semesters you will be able to work. In addition, attach a CV/resume, a recent writing sample for evaluation, and a prospective writing center tutor bio and photo in your application (see TUTORS section above for examples of tutor profiles) .
FLA Writing Center Tutor Qualifications
Applicants should…
- be Graduate Students or Alumni of Sophia University.
- have advanced proficiency in spoken and written English.
- be comfortable providing feedback on students’ written assignments, essays, reports, and other papers.
- be friendly, supportive, and enthusiastic about providing academic advice to undergraduates (mostly first-year students).
- have a strong sense of responsibility.
- be able to work at least two sessions a week for a minimum of two semesters (hours are flexible).
* Applicants must also have a ‘Working Permission’ and ‘Residence Card’.
Job Description
- Successful applicants will receive training and have the opportunity to observe experienced tutors.
- Writing Center tutors are expected to visit classes and introduce the Writing Center to students at the beginning of each term.
- Writing Center tutors are expected to assist with and facilitate writing center workshops.
If you are interested in working as a tutor, please email the Writing Center (wrtng-c@sophia.ac.jp).
In your email explain why you want to work for the FLA Writing Center and how many semesters you will be able to work. In addition, attach a CV/resume, a recent writing sample for evaluation, and a prospective writing center tutor bio and photo in your application (see TUTORS section above for examples of tutor profiles) .
