Joshua Reisenfeld, a journalism major at the University of Idaho, reflected on his college experiences in an article released on Apr. 16. Reisenfeld spent his last two years at the university working for the Argonaut student newspaper and said that his time at U of I allowed him to explore a wide range of interests.
Reisenfeld’s story highlights how personal curiosity and diverse experiences can shape an academic path. He shared how watching Japanese anime during the COVID-19 pandemic led him to study Japanese in high school, and how conversations with a nurse during allergy treatments sparked his interest in writing.
“I think it’s important to be interdisciplinary and take classes in whatever interests you,” Reisenfeld said. “You’re introduced to a lot of concepts in high school, but college is where you get the opportunity to really figure out what you like to do.”
Initially intending to pursue mechanical engineering due to family influence, Reisenfeld realized he preferred writing after working on a physics project as a freshman. This realization prompted him to change majors and eventually join the Argonaut staff, where he later served as news editor for 2025-26. Moritz Cleve, assistant professor in the School of Journalism and Mass Media, said, “In his role as a journalist, it’s never about him, it’s about who he’s writing about… A good journalist should always be willing to look at stories from different angles.”
Reisenfeld also studied abroad at Hiroshima University through an Education Abroad program during his sophomore year. Despite initial challenges with language barriers and health care while living in Japan, he remained committed. Azusa Tojo from the College of Letters, Arts and Social Sciences recalled that after three months abroad Reisenfeld gained confidence speaking Japanese: “He realized he could talk with people and gained a lot of confidence.”
Now graduating debt-free from U of I with plans open for travel or new pursuits, Reisenfeld continues using his language skills by supporting incoming exchange students headed for Japan this summer. “I hope I can prepare them for some of the things they’ll experience,” he said.
