Our alumni answer the question: what can I do with a degree in International Communication or International Media? Their stories indicate a broad swatch of opportunities for putting classroom learning to work in professional settings around the world.

Yukiko is originally from Japan and never imagined she would one day study abroad or work internationally. Yukiko completed her undergraduate studies in French at the Sophia University in Tokyo, and spent one year in France as an exchange students at Université Catholique d'Ouest in Angers. After completing her degree in IC, Yukiko returned to Japan and currently works for PwC Japan as a finance and accounting consultant. In this role she advises major Japanese companies and international corporations on issues such as project management, risk management, communication, system design, and human resources management. Working with clients in different fields, Yukiko utilizes her understanding of cross-cultural communication to contribute to project objectives and facilitate intercultural relations between firms operating in Japan. “I truly believe what I learned in the IC program, especially from my classmates, contributes extensively to my career.”

After completing her Bachelor's degree in Spanish and Creative Writing at the University of Miami, Gabrielle earned her Master's in International Communication in May 2010 at American University. She then began work as the International Admissions Counselor in AU's admission office. She now lives in Houston, working as the Assistant Director of Admission at Rice University, where her duties include domestic territories, international recruitment, and application review and staff training, among others. She is also a College Associate for Martel Residential College at Rice, in addition to serving on the Graduate Scholarship Committee at the MD Anderson Cancer Center.

Brigitte is originally from Virginia, and completed her IC degree in 2010 with a focus on intercultural relations. While studying at American, she was a Board Member of International Communication Student Forum  and worked as a facilitator and coordinator of the TALK intercultural dialogue program, sponsored by International Student and Scholar Services. Brigitte currently works in D.C. as the International Program Director for the Jesuit Volunteer Corps, a program which sends volunteers to serve for one or two years in economically marginalized communities within the U.S. and overseas.

After graduating from the IC program in 2009, Allison began working for NAFSA: Association of International Educators. Allison began her work there in the Organizational Advancement department and now works as the Manager of Career and Leadership Services in the Communications and Engagement Services office at NAFSA. Allison studied abroad four times between undergraduate and graduate school and her experiences abroad informed her belief in the transformative power of international and cross-cultural education. Allison also has a Bachelors Degree in French from the University of Louisville.

Justis currently serves as the Program Manager of the Education through Cultural and Historical Organizations Program, as an Arts Program Officer with the Professional Development for Arts Educators Program and as the Arts Liaison to the Smithsonian Institution for the U.S. Department of Education. In these roles, he manages a portfolio of approximately twenty discretionary grants in the areas of arts education, arts integration, strategic foreign languages, literacy, and cross-cultural understanding. He has previously served as the Fund for the Improvement of Education Coordinator for the Improvement Programs Division. His interests and specializations lie in the areas of program management, process optimization, research methods, cross-cultural communication, comparative politics, and East Asian foreign affairs. Justis joined the U.S. Department of Education in January 2010 as a Presidential Management Fellow after spending several years working in the fields of higher education and human resources. His first position with the Federal government was with the Department of Defense at the Pentagon, where he split his efforts between the Office of Culture, Religion, & Military Equal Opportunity and the newly established Office of Sexual Assault Prevention & Response. 

He earned an MA in International Communication from American University's School of International Service and a Bachelor of Arts degree, summa cum laude, in Political Science from Truman State University. He is a former Pershing Scholar, Washington Center Diversity Fellow, and International Scholar Laureate. Justis is also active in the community. He is currently involved as: a member of the American Federation of Government Employees; the Communications Committee Chair for LGBTA Employees at Education; a member of the Truman State University Mid-Atlantic Alumni Chapter Executive Board; a Higher Achievement mentor; a Washington Center mentor; and, a planning committee member with Reel Affirmations.

Shanti is the Cultural Affairs Coordinator at the Japan Information and Culture Center (JICC), Embassy of Japan. Prior to joining the Embassy of Japan, Ms. Shoji worked in Japan for six years – two years as an English teacher at public junior high schools on the Japan Exchange and Teaching (JET) Program, and four years working for Labo International Exchange Foundation, a Japanese non-profit international exchange and education organization. Besides Ms. Shoji’s passion for intercultural communication and international exchange and education, she enjoys travelling, the outdoors, running, and enjoying all that DC has to offer. A native of Portland, Oregon, Ms. Shoji graduated from the University of Oregon with a BA in Japanese and International Studies. In 2009 she received her MA in International Communication from American University’s School of International Service.