Cooper Brown

Why did you decide to do a major in East Asian Area Studies (EAAS)?

While living in my freshman dorm at USC, I met a Japanese international student who went on to become one of my closest friends. The summer after my freshman year, I traveled with him to Japan, where I met his extended family and felt exceptionally welcomed by their kindness. However, I was devastated that despite this hospitality, the language barrier would likely prevent us from building a long-term relationship. At that moment, I decided to return to school and begin studying Japanese in hopes of one day being able to speak to them again—a journey I’m happy to say I completed in Spring 2025 when I visited them while studying abroad in Tokyo. When I learned that I could pursue a major in the course of my language study, I added the EAAS major to pair with my Communication degree, and the rest is history. Along the way, I’ve discovered a sustained passion for intercultural communication which has driven me ever since.

Are there any EAAS related courses or events that have been particularly memorable?

One of the most memorable classes I had the opportunity to take through EAAS was Asian Horror (CTCS 464) with Professor Lan Duong. It was incredibly intellectually stimulating and we watched so many fantastic films, from Audition to Train to Busan – I would highly recommend!

Can you tell us about your research focus or interests? Is there any project/internship/work you are currently working on that you would like to share?

My research interests as of late lie in box office tracking and international distribution, particularly in understanding what drives audiences across different cultural markets to engage with films. At my current internship, I have been using a tracking tool which has allowed me to dive deep into the international distribution landscape by analyzing performance data across territories. I’m excited to continue exploring this space to find out what drives people to movie theaters and how films can more effectively connect with global audiences.

Do you have any advice for incoming students?

Put your body in motion before your mind has a chance to stop you. In other words, take risks. You won’t always know if an opportunity is right for you in the moment, but looking back, every experience teaches you something valuable that you will carry with you throughout your future career. Even roles that didn’t align with where I ultimately wanted to go gave me clarity and a better understanding of what I enjoyed working on (and what I didn’t, so I could avoid that in the future). So, don’t wait until everything feels certain to act. If an opportunity is interesting to you, take it; let your “body” guide you!

What are your plans after graduation?

After graduating, I will serve as a Princeton in Asia English Teaching Fellow at Cần Thơ University, in Cần Thơ, Vietnam from Fall 2026-2027. In this role, I will teach English to Vietnamese college students with the support of local lecturers, as well as support extracurricular activities to improve students’ soft skills. While teaching, I also plan to conduct research on moviegoing practices in Vietnam to deepen my understanding of the distribution landscape in Southeast Asia. Coming away with a newfound understanding of global audiences, I hope to re-enter the entertainment industry as an international sales agent where I can help to connect films with audiences worldwide.