Literature Study Abroad Programs in Japan

In my junior year, I had the opportunity to spend my fall semester studying in Tokyo with Middlebury College. Since I tested into the J5 level Japanese language class, I had the opportunity to take two classes with local students taught entirely in Japanese, challenging myself to not only comprehend lectures at a high language level but also communicate with my peers at a college level. Even though the campus was an hour away from Tokyo's center, the convenient public transportation made it very easy to go out into the city with friends. We even made outside of the prefecture to Saitama, Osaka, Tottori and more on breaks and weekends, exploring Japan while we could. I found that, through this program, we had a lot of space to immerse ourselves in Japan's vibrant and diverse culture and become a part of the city ourselves. Additionally, the program put an emphasis on sustainable development, which taught me how to be more environmentally aware and live sustainably. This instilled positive habits into my lifestyle, which I find myself still enforcing today even though I have returned to my home country. Overall, Middlebury's program gave me an amazing space to advance my Japanese language skills while exploring Tokyo as a city.

Studying abroad in Japan through USAC was honestly one of the best decisions I’ve made in college. Before going, I was excited but also nervous about the language barrier and whether I’d feel out of place, but USAC made the transition way smoother than I expected. From orientation to day-to-day support, it felt like there was always someone I could reach out to if I needed help.

My goals when studying abroad were to learn as much about Japanese culture and society as I could, and the course offerings went above and beyond this. There were too many great courses to choose from! Additionally, my homestay experience allowed me to really get a feel for what it was like to live in Japan. Through my host family, I was able to gain experiences that my peers could not. If I could go back, the only thing I would change would be to stay longer!

My time in Japan was life-changing. As a Nikkei student, I reconnected with roots my family had lost after internment and generations of cultural distance. From dorm life to local hikes, food, and community events, I gained authentic insight into daily Japanese life. Beyond travel, it was about reclaiming identity, building cross-cultural friendships, and finding confidence in who I am.

I'm so glad that I went to Nagasaki to study abroad for the spring semester. Not only was I able to meet so many different friends from around the world, but I was also able to learn about Japanese culture and history. I enjoyed immersing myself in the community present in Nagasaki, which is so determined to spread the word of peace. It was also great to interact with Japanese students and improve my Japanese language skills. Coming to Nagasaki, what I really enjoyed was the beautiful scenery of cherry blossoms present at the beginning of the semester, and the abundance of trees in a rich green I had never seen before. It was truly a sight to see. Not to mention how Nagasaki is enriched with so much history and international cultural influences as a port city. There is just so much to learn.

The year I spent in Nagasaki was the best year of my life. The university is small, with less than 1000 students and teachers combined, making it easy to meet people and form connections. I typically struggle to make friends, but here I made friends from countries all over the world. There are many opportunities for personal growth, both academically and through community involvement. Nagasaki is a great location because it has a rich history of cultural exchange and is very welcoming to foreigners.

I went to Nagasaki Japan with the desire to improve my Japanese skills and develop a cultural understanding of the area. That is exactly the experience I had beyond expectations. I of course had some hurtless, figuring out what courses would count towards my degree was the hardest part. GADAI/NUFS the college I went to was small and cozy a stark contrast to my large university in the states. My most important experience was learning about the effects of the atomic bomb on Nagasaki. I encourage all to study abroad somewhere and if you're looking for a place neck deep in diverse cultures I fully reccomend this program. Every one of my struggles was 100% worth the experience I was blessed to have.

I had the time of my life while abroad, and it’s all because of IES Abroad. Going into college, I wasn’t sure if I would be able to study abroad and achieve my goals of traveling while abroad, but through my IES Program I was able to participate in an abroad program that changed my life. Not only did I make lifelong friends in my program and school, but I got to go on field trips provided by the program to explore the culture and experiences of locals and learn about the rich history of Japan. I got to live with a host family who has become real family, and every day I woke up so excited to be in Japan. I only wish I had more time to spend here. I got to explore different cities, try so many new foods, and even met some really cool animals like capybaras and deer!

The idea of being sent to a country across the other side of the world scared me. However, after arriving in Japan, last March, I had one of the most memorable semesters ever. Through USAC, I was able to not only immerse myself into the culture and language, but I also met some of my best friends too. My school, being abroad, was very active in terms of extracurricular events! The area surrounding the dorms were filled with all types of mini-restaurants, hole in the walls, and unique shops too. My experience has not only shaped my view of the world but along with my career path too!

I think the program offers a lot of opportunities due to its size. The program being a bit smaller allows for a lot of malleability within the program, and flexibility /freedom for students schedules and time.

The program staff was amazing and truly made me feel welcomed in a country I did not know the language or culture. I have made friends here that I know will continue to be my friends for years to come, thanks to the connections ciee opened up. The one thing I wish could have happened is more class experience with Japanese students; taking classes where host students were present in would have made this program perfect. Other than that, I would 100% recommend this program to others, and already have.

Overall, my program experience has been positive. I liked my instructors and the classes I took. However, I feel the course loads were a bit much for a six week program. Some administrative and organizational aspects I felt could be improved as well to make the student feel their needs are being met. On the other hand, all staff members of the program I participated in were friendly and great to talk to.

I enjoyed the classes I took and thought they were conducted well. In addition, I liked the excursions that were planned each Friday and felt that they covered a good variety of things I would have wanted to do.

I have so many fond memories from this program. From the small interactions with locals to going on multiple day-long trips, there is was so much to love. I gained a much greater understanding about just how different cultures can be and how to adjust to unknown situations. My favorite thing I would do often was just going on day trips on my own or with friends to the countryside or just anywhere that is less touristy. I wouldn't trade this experience for anything else, and I couldn't recommend it more.

Before I provide my review, I would like to highlight that I speak Japanese well, which made my life in Japan easier than for others. My study abroad with the IES Nagoya program was enjoyable. Since it involved direct enrollment at the Japanese school (Nanzan University), I really needed help filling out tons of applications. However, IES guided me through filling out all of the applications, and there weren't even many things to do at my level. Even though I could speak Japanese, I was definitely worried about adjusting myself to the new places. However, IES provided field trips to its students, which was actually an awesome experience for me. I took thousands of pictures on those field trips and even experienced many authentic Japanese places that I couldn't visit just in Nagoya. Adding more here, Nagoya is just the perfect place if you are first visiting Japan. Nagoya is a city with good authentic Japanese food, historical sites, and even a well-managed downtown area where you can enjoy East Asian culture with your local friends. In terms of learning, Nanzan offers great language classes where you can actually improve your Japanese skills. They also have a program where you can meet other Japanese students and exchange your own culture with them. Since you cannot meet local Japanese students in class, that program was really helpful for me to make some Japanese friends with whom I could practice the Japanese that I learned in class. I chose the homestay program while I was studying abroad, and I would say that was the highlight of my stay in Japan. You can engage with your host family who are willing to exchange their culture and help you practice your Japanese while you are at home. That helped me to understand Japanese society and people more deeply. I learned lots of etiquette that I need to know to live in Japan.

This program was life-changing. The staff made the transition into Japan smooth and helped with any issues. I never felt overwhelmed, and I was set up for success. The school's community is amazing. It is impossible not to make friends, and you will meet the coolest people. I genuinely fell in love with life again after this program. The education is informative and interesting. The Japanese classes are well structured, and I enjoyed them. I encourage everyone to apply for this program! Nagasaki is a lovely city, and you get a lot of perks for being a student! I recommend the art museum, the rope line, and my favorite place-- Nagasaki Seaside Park!

It wasn't until I arrived in Nagasaki that I learned about its rich and significant history. Though at first it may seem like a small town with not much to do, if you have an open mind and willingness to explore, you'll always find something new to do here. It was in Nagasaki where I gained a complete sense of independence and freedom that I had not experienced back in America, even as an out-of-state student. Being in a whole different country I had never visited prior to this study abroad trip equipped me with a fresh lens to look at the world with and motivation to get out of my comfort zone. Upon succeeding in immersing myself in a new culture, I was able to discover more about myself than I ever have. Before these four months, I didn't have a strong sense of self identity and confidence in myself. However, throughout this semester abroad I found beautiful friends who I had the privilege to share my study abroad experience with. I could completely be myself around these people and given our living situation (small school, one dormitory building), we naturally grew closer from seeing each other every day from morning until nighttime. There is so much more I gained from this experience, but that would take years to tell so this is all I will be sharing for this prompt!

Never in a million years did I think I was ever going to get the chance to study abroad! I was digging around the web during Covid for programs that could give me more out of my college experience. Covid gave me time to think about what I wanted out of life and definitely made me see how much I took for granted. I always wanted to study abroad but I didn’t think I would be able to afford it or have the courage to travel to another country alone. I passed USAC’s program on the web and immediately applied out of sheer confidence that this is what I wanted to do. I got accepted and the rest is history. This experience has made me grow so much as a person and develop a new appreciation for relationships and cultures. I have fallen in love with being able to communicate with people from all over the world and gain new found friendships that will last a lifetime. I got out of my comfort zone so many times and have never regretted a second of it. I have learned so many new things about myself as a person and as a member of society. Nishinomiya will forever be my home away from home. The city is absolutely beautiful and the people are so amazing and friendly. The university I attended, Kwansei Gakuin University, is even more so. The professors and full time students were great. They welcomed us with open arms and made sure we felt comfortable. There were also so many opportunities for Japanese and exchange student interactions, but my favorite was the Global Lounge. Exchange and full time students hung out in the lounge together and it is how many of us became friends. There are so many relationships I’ve made that I am going to miss. To anyone who is thinking of studying abroad, I highly recommended it! There might be some rough patches throughout your time abroad, especially if it’s for an extended amount of time, but it will all the more help you grow. Studying abroad is a life changing experience. I have never travel abroad in my life until this program. I am incredibly grateful and will remember this for the rest of my life.

Studying abroad is the best way to experience a new country, with a perfect balance of independence and being involved in a community. I had a wonderful time in Japan and was able to fully immerse myself into the culture and daily life. I developed new routines that I would have not encountered in my home country, and stepped outside of my comfort zone to experience new responsibilities. By broadening my perspective of the world, I better understand the differences in societies, including all of the obstacles, and will remember my time here in Japan forever.

Nagasaki University of Foreign Studies gave me the opportunity to mingle with students from all over the world. Everyone is passionate about learning a foreign language which made the process of making friends really fun. My language ability was challenged continuously every day and helped me get out of my comfort zone. I connected with people beyond the usual phone screen many people in my generation use. It was meaningful and therapeutic to rarely be on social media. This experience helped my Japanese ability improve and further nurtured my love for human connection.