Graduate profile

Nic Eketone

Nic is working for a law firm where he is able to translate simple legal documents and communicate with Japanese clients.

Japanese language education

Tertiary

Bachelor of Arts degree in Japanese alongside a Law degree.

Motivation to begin Japanese language studies

Nic was interested in Japan from an early age, having Japanese friends at school and enjoying martial arts as a teenager. However, Nic had lived in Japan for 10 years before completing any formal Japanese language study. On his return to New Zealand he wanted to build on his language ability, particularly so that he could read and write Japanese, so he embarked on a Bachelor of Arts in Japanese.

Skills gained as a result of studying Japanese

Studying Japanese helped Nic to distinguish better between formal and casual language styles. He also improved the accuracy of his use of grammatical structures.

Use of Japan/Japanese language skills and knowledge in current employment

Having also completed a law degree, Nic is now working for a law firm where he is able to translate simple legal documents and communicate with Japanese clients.

Nic can also see himself working for New Zealand Trade and Enterprise, Foreign Affairs and Trade, or companies involved with business and tourism.

Nic completed his Japanese studies in 2009 at Otago University.