What inspired you to travel abroad?
I have always had a love and interest in travel abroad. Being a double major in Global Studies and Japanese, it was a no brainer for me with my Japanese degree.
I've been learning the language for almost seven years now and was excited to put my language skills to use and acquire more in such a beautiful country.
Kiyomizu-dera in Kyoto, Japan
Why did you choose IES Abroad?
I wanted a program that would give me the balance of foreign language challenges and cultural immersion, which I got through IES.
My points of contact during the whole research and application process were incredibly helpful. Everyone I knew who had or has a connection to IES made me feel very welcomed and well-informed, which is a must for me when it comes to studying abroad.
What was your favorite part about Japan?
I'm big on living in cities with good public transportation and a rich culture, which is exactly what I got in Japan. I loved being able to walk to the train station and heading anywhere I needed to.
I loved being able to find small pockets of culture embedded within the metropolis. Seeing Shinto shrines only a short walk from a restaurant or multi-story building was a pretty unique and new experience for me.
Additionally, Nagoya, where I lived for the duration of the program, offers a big city feel that I'm familiar with while not being overcrowded and cramped. I appreciated the location of the host university, Nanzan University, being located only a train ride away from popular downtown areas, in a quiet community.
What made your experience abroad extraordinary?
I scored the lottery with the living group in my dorm at Nanzan. All of us came from different countries and cultures, and I got to learn about their customs, try their food, and go on various little day trips or events with them.
We all grew close, supported each other, helped each other out in various ways. From editing papers to translating documents, we created a small network, and I appreciated having such a little community like that during my time in Japan.
Traditional appetizer
How did the local program staff support you throughout your program?
Satoshi and Reisa were incredibly kind and communicative during my time there.
Reisa was so helpful to me when my friends and I were stranded overnight in Tokyo upon our arrival, she was incredibly friendly and fun to talk with.
Satoshi put so much hard work into coordinating our excursions and meetings. Both were definitely people who were happy to share Japanese culture with students.
What's one thing you wish you would have done differently during your time abroad?
I definitely would spend more time exploring the local sites of Nagoya. I definitely got to know the downtown area and all the shops and restaurants, but I missed out on visiting some of the big shrines and temples I'd wanted to see.
Additionally, it would've been nice to experiment a little further with the food. Of all the dishes I had over there, I got really hooked on udon. I sometimes opted for a familiar option as opposed to a brand new one.
Describe what a typical day in your life abroad looked like.
Waking up in Janssen International dorm to wash up and have a quick breakfast before making my 9:15 Japanese class! Japanese class was 3.5 hours long (with a fifteen minute break halfway between) four days a week.
After morning class, I powered up with a good lunch. If I didn't return to my dorm to make lunch, I would grab something from the Lien cafeteria or one of the outside vendors, like curry rice.
My afternoon classes were either Ikebana (flower arrangement), Japanese Religions, or Japanese Society, all held once a week for two to two and a half hours.
By evening, I was always fairly tired, so I'd return to Janssen to cook dinner, get some studying in or watch TV with my living group, and then head to bed.
Kinkakuji in Kyoto
What did you enjoy doing in your free time abroad?
On Mondays, I only had Japanese class in the mornings, so after lunch, I would head to Sakae to study at a cafe and shop. I got to really enjoy thrifting while in Japan-- and I managed to bring home some really great pieces.
Wednesdays were the free days for all students in the program, so many people traveled. I saved most of my traveling for weekends.
So, on Wednesdays, I used to do any cleaning and organizing or studying needed but also enjoyed meeting up with friends.
What type of accommodation did you have? What did you like best about it?
I chose to live in the dorm because I wanted to live with other students and experience life as a student in that way. I don't regret it one bit; I enjoyed a quiet, single room in the International dorm.
I got to meet students from all over the world. Janssen was kept clean and welcoming, and I definitely miss it!
What is one thing every future participant should know about your program before their program begins?
Really decide what you want to get out of the program and what you're willing to invest in it. It's possible to navigate Japan speaking only English, but a big part of this program is the intensive Japanese immersion, which I definitely got.
Professors may be different than what you're used to in your home country. You'll meet people from all over the world with different customs and levels of Japanese knowledge.
Go with an open mind, and be willing to immerse yourself. Remember to be culturally aware, and respectful, and to remind yourself that you're a guest in the country.
Shibuya Scramble Square
Would you recommend your program/provider to others? Why?
I would recommend this program to anyone looking for a program that offers interesting classes, lots of interaction with Japanese and other international students, and the assumption of independence.
Program providers are there to be helpful, but they will not hold your hand. This program gave me a chance to really live on my own and take charge of my own experience. The courses in this program were very humanities and arts-based.
People in STEM fields might have a harder time finding courses, but I'd recommend this to anyone with general education requirements because this will definitely fulfill some of those!
What do you feel the biggest benefit of traveling abroad is?
A deeper sense of independence. You learn a lot about your fears, apprehensions and anxieties, capabilities, and strengths. Japan offers fantastic public transportation that got me everywhere I needed and wanted to go.
Additionally, you get exposed to a totally different culture and society, and get to put your learned language skills to use!
Now that you're home, how has your time abroad impacted your life?
There was a readjustment period; I still walk on the wrong side of the sidewalk sometimes, but ultimately, it's taught me to really value what I have at home and the ability to travel abroad.
I took home my strengthened language skills, my deeper love for traveling and meeting new people. I took home my souvenirs and experiences, and I allowed myself to 'miss' my time abroad instead of trying to move on and go back to my regular life!
What does meaningful travel mean to you?
Really immersing yourself in the country and its customs, culture, and language. Allowing yourself to be flexible and tackle challenges head on.
Additionally, make sure to be thorough in packing, researching, and learning how to be more efficient when it comes to spending, transportation, lodging, etc.
