My name is Aki Sugaya. I am from Tokyo, Japan and moved to the U.S. in 1991. I received my undergraduate degree in American Studies focusing on gender and sexuality at the University of California Santa Cruz (UCSC). I am proud to say that I am part of the first full-fledged class to graduate HMSX in 2004. My graduate research focused on the histories of Japanese sexuality in ukiyo-e shunga (Japanese erotic prints) from 1600 to the present. My graduate advisor Prof. Amy Sueyoshi was extremely helpful in shaping my in-depth research from the beginning to the end. One of the best experiences in HMSX studies was meeting with an amazing group of graduate students who were open, and shared their exciting sexuality research. One interesting experience that I have had since I graduated is that people assume I know everything about sex, which I don’t (nor is that what the program is really designed to do). The program gave me extensive knowledge on various aspects on sexuality theories and research, which complemented my background in feminism and cultural theories from my previous degree. The HMSX degree has prepared me to pursue a doctoral degree. My advice to fellow students in the HMSX degree is to follow your heart, and be responsible of your actions and your course of study while you are in the program; make the best of it.