I decided to embark on the 2024 Honors Passport: Japan study abroad experience in order to challenge myself in an unfamiliar environment with a different region, culture, and language. Japan, unlike the United States, is especially suited to study of a new culture as there is a racially and ethnically homogenous culture in Japan. Navigating this difference in cultural identity will aid in navigating challenging circumstances in my future. The program lasted two weeks, yet I learned much about Japanese art, architecture, and history during this time abroad.

Admiring the Ryoan-ji rock garden

The class, consisting of 17 students and two professors, travelled across the country and presented on UNESCO World Heritage Sites and significant cultural landmarks. The amazing aspect of this Honors Passport was that students presented in front of the site. Most memorably, the presentation on the Itsukushima Shrine was given with the sea and the floating torii gate in the background. This class also encouraged personal research as each student was assigned an individual presentation topic. I loved reading books and doing a deep dive on Zen Buddhism and Zen Gardens. After researching and studying, I presented to my classmates with the historic Ryoan-Ji Garden as my backdrop. Listening to the other presentations were some of my favorite moments of the experience as each topic was well researched, and I gleaned new information from each.

View of Kyoto from “The Crossing” on the Fushimi Inari Mountain Shrine

The course led me from the ancient capital of Nara to the bustling city of Tokyo. Each day started around 8:30 with a trip on public transport. Buses, subways, and bullet trains packed us in like sardines. We travelled around each city, exploring ancient shrines, mausoleums, museums, and gardens. Students and professors presented at these sites, allowing me to learn about history and architecture while seeing the actual site. Kyoto was my favorite city to visit as the rich history and culture was merged with modern skyscrapers. The outskirts of the city have esteemed palaces, temples, and landscape gardens while the center is filled with shopping malls and konbinis. My personal highlight in Kyoto was climbing the Fushimi Inari mountain shrine, walking through thousands of red torii gates on the way up. After the day finished, I spent my free time searching for the best Ichiran Ramen or sushi restaurant and shopping at one of the many seven story malls.

What surprised me the most during my time abroad was the immediate immersion in a different culture. Not much reminded me of home as I walked through cities with kanji, hiragana, and katakana decorating the skyscrapers. Getting to sleep in Buddhist temple lodging was truly an experience unlike any other as I wore a traditional Buddhist robe while eating vegan cuisine and sleeping on a tatami mat on the floor. A late-night jog through the nearby city and by the shrines felt surreal as these historical structures towered over me. Waking up early to attend a meditation ceremony with three monks, I felt attuned to the quietness and spirituality of the world.

My advice to other students on the fence about study abroad: do it. This was an experience unlike any other as I dove headfirst into Japanese culture with the guidance of two professors. I am so grateful for this opportunity as I have never had a greater learning experience.