Santa Barbara City College

Before choosing to go back to school in the fall of 2025, I never would’ve thought in 1 million years I would have the opportunity to be able to study abroad in Japan! A country 4 year old me dreamed of visiting. I got to experience so many exciting things and was surrounded by amazing classmates. Both Dr. Kunz and Garard sensei were some of the most impactful educators I’ve ever had in my life. They brought out my curiosity and drive to wanna learn more about what they were teaching. As a first generation student this opportunity was very life-changing for me and gave me a perspective. I never thought I’d have. I would recommend anyone to take advantage and study abroad!

First of all, I had a great time there as HOH. HOH mean "Hard of Hearing". So to share this, I know it was gonna be not so easy because I was new to the Language that I had practice 3 years ago, but was sure enough to go out with having skill with communication Verbally and Non verbally. And in between all that, I feel accomplished of balancing my academic and Social surrounding. I didn't do video, but you find my Instagram Highlight story of my time in the Study Abroad program on "sinMa15lay" IG.

This trip was nothing short of life changing. Tokyo is such a fascinating city and can give you so much knowledge not only about other cultures about also about your own. All class field trips were relevant to class material and gave a wonderful in person experience rather than just reading about it. Definitely study the language a bit more if you can and try to find a friend to go with!

Getting the opportunity to learn in Japan will be an experience that will never be forgotten. Learning about the course topics first-hand really helped my learning process and gave me unforgettable memories. I am super grateful for all the close friends and memories I made!

The excursions matched the course well, the professors were knowledgable with the material! Their insights brought the lessons to life, and seeing the material firsthand made the whole learning experience more meaningful.

The italian people were welcoming to foreigners, making the immersion nice! Locals were patient and kind even with the language barrier, and that warmth made it so much easier to feel comfortable and truly embrace the culture.

They provided a good space to study and responded very quickly about problems that we had. The environment was quiet and comfortable, making it easy to focus, and any issues we raised were handled promptly and professionally.

I got to see many new places and learn a lot! The trip really opened my eyes to new cultures and perspectives I hadn't experienced before. Every stop taught me something new, and I came home feeling inspired and grateful for the whole journey.

Informative and organized at meeting, class structured well and in an area students actually want to go learn in! Apartments are perfect and fully equipped! The whole setup made it easy to settle in and focus on learning right away

Strong points were excursions and the relation of material learned in class to material seen and experienced in person and on excursions. It was an enriching experience to learn and live amongst another culture. Fun and exciting excursions, and a fun learning environment. A good way to earn credits in another country!

The excursions really immersed us in the culture of Sicily and allowed us to see exciting new things! From wandering local markets to tasting authentic dishes, every stop felt like a genuine discovery. It added so much depth to the trip

I had a blast, totally worth it! The whole experience exceeded my expectations from start to finish. Everything was well organized, the staff were friendly and attentive, and the atmosphere made it even better. I'd definitely recommend it to friends and family, and I'm already looking forward to going again.

It was great, especially when we had a tour guide who explained the culture to us. Make sure you have a working credit/debit & Pin number before going! I couldn't get cash out of an ATM on the last week!

Strong points were excursions and the relation of material learned in class to material seen and experienced in person and on excursions. It was an enriching experience to learn and live amongst another culture. Fun and exciting excursions, and a fun learning environment. A good way to earn credits in another country!

It's especially good for those who want to go to Japan, but also for learning about a new culture and how they communicate! Know what you want to do or go to. Plan with friends but also solo trips can be fun as well!

I loved the class! I've taken art history but learning about Japansese art was a lot more fun! I thought the professor did good! Very interesting topics! I loved learning about the religious temples and how they were influenced and constructed

This program gives you a wonderful opportunity to explore a non-western country with help. Excursions were enjoyable and school-personal life balance is good. Bring/plan to spend more than you expect. Find a friend to go with you. Learn some Japanese!

Something I enjoyed was having trips where we didn't have to plan anyhting out because it was all included and the staff has always been great and helpful. Overall I thought it was a great experience, I had lots of fun.

The excursions were so fund except for how much free time we had in Naples. Rome is amazing and such a fund city. The professor was a trusting adult and made the experience easy. Go for it! I don't regreat it. Best 3 months of my life. Make it feel like home.

Locations were great, as well as accommodations. Michell Paddack taught incredible courses. It was a great balance between class time and going in the field to learn. Interactions with locals and participating in religious ceremonies was a great aspect of the program. Well organized by everyone.