Author: Jackson Dowler | Majors: English and Psychology | Semester: Summer 2024

Himeji Castle (And a lone samurai)

While it is impossible to effectively summarize my recent two-week trip to Japan in 500-1000 words, it is my sworn duty to try. I am Jackson Dowler, Fulbright student majoring in English and Psychology. Most important for this blog, though, is my minor: Japanese. As could be gleaned from that info, I have an interest not in general travel, but travel to the “land of the rising sun”. The program I used to indulge that interest (chose, ahem) was the Honors college’s “Honor’s Passport: Japan” trip. It was easy to slot in, too, since it was only two weeks during summer. I am glad to have chosen this trip specifically, though– I enjoyed the non-individual aspects of the program much more than anticipated.

Before I get into the program itself, allow me to explain why I chose it to begin with. As mentioned before, I am interested in Japan. Well, “interest” is an inadequate way to put it. I have, lightly put, an obsession with Japan. Mostly in its historical culture, though I also like its general culture and history. I have always wanted to know more about Japan, to visit Japan, to learn Japanese. The university has now helped with all three of those wants. If you’ve viewed my photos, you have seen me with both a traditional yukata and katana. If those two purchases or the big smile on my face while bearing said purchases does not prove it, the above testament should.

To that end, I’ll now describe the academic gains from this period studying abroad. I wasn’t lying in the first paragraph when I said I did not expect to enjoy the “study abroad” part of the study abroad as much as I did. After all, I was just using this trip as a way to learn more about Japan on my own terms– right? Well, turns out, having competent honors students and staff tell you about their specific area of study imparts quite a bit of knowledge. As an additional plus, I found it all extremely interesting. Whether that be due to my fascination with Japan or the competency of the lectures’ delivery, we will never know. It is likely both. Us students were to give a presentation on a subject related to a certain site we would visit. These presentations varied widely in their subject matter, from Studio Ghibli to the Little Boy. My presentation, to no one’s surprise, was about the samurai. Specifically, their modern myth in contrast to their historical selves– and the cultural reasons behind the change in perception. Samurai are a particular passion of mine, so having an audience forced to listen to me talk about them for twenty minutes was appreciated. The other presentations were only slightly less interesting, with the “Shinto’s role in government” and “Konbini” presentations being standouts for me.

A New Friend

Outside of the academics, Japan has a lot to offer. Tokyo was no disappointment, but Japan’s countryside should not be disregarded. Nara, the deer-loving town that marked the start of our trip, was wonderfully tranquil. And full of deer. Seriously, an absurd amount of deer. In Kyoto, I came a few steps closer to becoming a samurai myself with a sword and outfit. If only their class wasn’t abolished. Ah, well– it is fun to imagine. The general amount of fun to be had by talking to people that know your language about as well as you know theirs is great, too.

And now, to what is likely one of the biggest impacts of this trip for myself. I used this trip to test my resolve, so to speak. Essentially, if the difficulty of speaking to the Japanese with my one year of learning the language proved discouraging, I would deemphasis the learning in my studies. I have kicked around the idea of working law for a Japanese company before, but never knew if I had the chops to follow through. I am happy to now report more enthused than ever. This trip has shown me the thousand steps to go, sure; but it has also shown me that it is only a thousand.

As can likely be seen, I had quite the time in Japan. I can’t wait to apply for Honors College funding again, this time for a language focused trip. The Japanese can’t keep me away for long, now. And I have the University of Arkansas to thank for that.