Feeding the deer in Nara

After months of building anticipation, I boarded Japan airlines and began my 14-hour flight across the globe. I had chosen the may intersession program in Japan this summer out of intrigue for the art and architecture that is strikingly different from the west in many aspects. In fact, many of my favorite artists/works who inspire the designs I create originated from Japan, such as the electrifying works of Yayoi Kusama and Sumida Hokusai’s dynamic wood-block prints. Although, I spent those months consuming as much media related to the Japanese culture and looking over course materials, nothing could have prepared me for the experience I was about to have. Once we landed in Osaka, we immediately boarded a bus that shuttled us to our first location. When we all awoke, it was like a scene from a movie, the way the rain pattered across the pond with a small temple by its bank in Nara. There I was officially welcomed to Japan by Nara’s honored deer and over the coming two weeks I would only become more immersed in the culture.

A journey through hundreds of tori gates

Day to day, the professors and guides gave wonderful insight into the palaces, shrines, and monuments we visited daily. One of the most striking days was the time we went to see the Fushimi Inari shrine and climbed up a mountain through thousands of red tori gates to look out at the city during sunset. It was wonderful to travel in the program because the transportation, tickets, and lodging was taken care of for us allowing us to focus on enjoying the experience.

Another of the many benefits to learning outside of the typical classroom was that the experiences themselves were holistic. In addition, even though the program was centered around architecture and US relations, we gained comprehensive education on Japan from religion to popular culture to sports and so on. An instance that stands out to me was our second day when we took a bus up a winding mountain road to Mount Koyasan to view Buddhist shrines and learn about its movement from China into Japan. Of course, there were the standard readings and student-led presentations that provided background to the astonishing temples and shrines we saw. However, it was the ability to participate that immersed me into the teachings. At the shrines, for example, we were instructed in a respectful manner to enter the monuments. Our guide Tada San patiently showed us how to wash our hands and mouths and remove our shoes upon entering the sacred rooms. Beyond that we had the once and a lifetime opportunity to stay at a Buddhist monastery in traditional Japanese style rooms and eat their famous vegetarian meals. Lastly, we had an option of respectfully observing the monks’ morning prayers and ceremony. I enjoyed this opportunity personally because non-Christian religions are not widely discussed in the Southern United States. This encompasses one of the best takeaways from studying abroad that anyone can attest to which is an increase in empathy and understanding for other perspectives.

Looking at modern art on Naoshima art island

When our days were over, I was able to freely explore the cities we were in to shop, eat, and more. In fact, I cannot discuss my experience without of course highlighting all the local cuisine. For instance, in Kyoto a couple of my friends and I got to try the widely popular conveyor belt sushi where we stacked a mountain of plates from all the sushi we could not stop grabbing. As exciting as all of that was though, I could not help but be struck with culture shock and homesickness. There were days when all I wanted was a Caniac combo out of a craving for something more familiar. Though it may not manifest in a chicken craving, this is something anyone interested in studying abroad should be prepared for. However, I never felt alone or overwhelmed by this because of the support system in place and the preparations I had made. I would recommend taking time to rest oneself, having communication with loved ones set up, and bringing comfort items and food to combat these feelings. In the grand scheme of things though, the experiences were well worth any minor discomforts.

Overall, I could not recommend studying abroad more to everyone, even the littlest bit interested in applying. There are so many resources, scholarships, and programs available. I am so thankful to have taken advantage of them because now I came home from Japan with countless new memories and friends. It was a life-changing experience that has given me a taste for exploring that I fear may never be quenched.