Environmental Studies Study Abroad Programs in Japan

Studying in Barcelona had been a dream! I took classes in Entrepreneurship and New Venture Creation, and Spanish Art and Cultural Heritage at Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona. My 7 weeks in that paradise were filled with exploration, inspiration, and so much fun. From amazing people to the delicious cuisine, and stunning architecture to the colorful culture, Spain should be at the top of the must-visit countries list. My favorite activity, besides spending my day at the beach, was wandering around the city without a map and being amazed by the beauty hidden in every corner of Barcelona. Thanks to the Spanish Art and Cultural Heritage class, I learned even more about this impressive history and culture. CIS helped me through every step of adapting to studying and living in Barcelona. They planned fun events for us, such as various tours in famous parts of Barcelona, beach picnic and volleyball, wine tasting, tours to towns in Spain, and cooking classes. I stayed at Aparto Pallars, which is conveniently located near the metro station, from which you can take the metro anywhere. I'm so grateful for this experience, and I'm definitely willing to go back to Barcelona or any other program with CIS!

Studying abroad at Meiji Gakuin University through CIS Abroad was one of the most meaningful experiences of my life. The classes were well-structured, and the intensive language course was especially effective. Having studied Japanese for two years before the program, I noticed a huge improvement in my skills thanks to this course. The International Center on campus was also an invaluable resource—whether I had questions about clubs, classes, or just needed extra support. They regularly hosted cultural experiences on campus, which were fun and a great way to meet Japanese students. Outside the classroom, the program offered countless opportunities to experience everyday life in Japan. Living in Totsuka, Yokohama, was incredible. I stayed in a dorm with both Japanese and international students, which made it easy to build friendships and feel part of a community right away. The friendships I formed there are ones I know will last a lifetime. The dorm’s location—just five minutes from a major station—also made it easy to travel to Yokohama, Tokyo, and even beachside towns, so there was always something new to explore. CIS provided amazing support throughout the entire journey. From the moment I arrived in Japan, they were there to greet me at the airport and guide me through my first days. Their cultural excursions took us to amazing places and gave us the chance to see sides of Japan we might not have discovered on our own. I always felt reassured knowing I had their support when I needed it. Overall, my semester at MGU with CIS was eye-opening, challenging in the best ways, and truly unforgettable. I came into the program hoping to grow as a person, become more confident, and learn to be more independent—and this experience gave me all of that and more.