Author: Marshall Donn | Major: Math and Computer Science | Semester: Summer 2024

In front of The National Diet

My name is Marshall, and I’m a senior math major at the University of Arkansas. For the summer
of 2024, I studied abroad in Tokyo, Japan with CIEE. I had an abundance of options when picking a place
to study abroad, but I settled on Tokyo for 2 reasons. First, visiting the largest city on the planet seemed
like a great way to experience life in a big city. I’ve never properly lived in a city larger than Fayetteville,
so I had a lot to gain by going to a big city. Additionally, I’ve heard that public infrastructure in Japan is
very good. I wanted to experience their truly convenient convenience stores, as well as the reliable metro
system.
My second reason for picking Tokyo is my interest in Japanese culture. There are many countries
whose cultures interest me, but Japanese culture interests me in so many distinct ways. To be brief, I was
interested in the language, cuisine, history, music and theatre of Japan, and I don’t feel like any other
cultures interest me in such diverse ways.
As for academics, I took two classes while studying abroad. I took a class in beginning Japanese
language, and a history class called Modernizing Ancient Japan. I came into the language course with a
small amount of Japanese knowledge already, which enabled me to spend more time on the more difficult
concepts. The class wasn’t too easy though, and I’m very happy with what I learned. I’m also going to
continue learning the language because I do hope to go back one day.
I learned a lot in the history class too. I thought I knew Japanese history before I came to Japan,
but this class really taught the finer details that I wasn’t aware of. My favorite lecture from this class was
one over nutrition, and how it changed over time. I also wrote a paper for this class over the Kuril Islands
dispute, and it was a uniquely enjoyable paper to both research and write. Additionally, we went on many
outings for this class, including to the National Diet of Japan, The Currency Museum of the Bank of
Japan, University of Tokyo Campus, and the NHK Museum. Each one was very enjoyable, and allowed
me to truly engage with the history of the country.
For any students interested in studying abroad, my number one recommendation is to not get
overwhelmed by the abundance of options you may find. There are so many different programs and
countries you can go to, and I found myself getting lost in all of it because they all sounded great. Put
serious thought into where you want to go, but don’t be indecisive. I also recommend learning at least the
basics of the language of your study abroad location, as being able to communicate feels really good, even
with simple phrases. Finally, I’d recommend being aware of reverse culture shock, as I wasn’t really
prepared for it as much as the initial culture shock. When I got back to America, I found myself getting
irritated at things that weren’t like they were in Japan, so you may potentially experience the same.
Studying abroad in Tokyo was an experience that met my lofty expectations, enriching my
academic and personal life. From navigating the bustling streets of the world’s largest city to diving deep
into Japan’s fascinating culture and history, I gained valuable insights and memories that will stay with me
forever. For anyone considering studying abroad, I can’t recommend it enough; it’s a chance to grow,
explore, and truly discover yourself in ways that staying in your comfort zone never could. Tokyo has left
an indelible mark on me, and I look forward to the day when I can return.