Meet Jimwell, Jenny, Jessica, Sarah, and Alyssa!
This past Spring, 5 BESTies had a fantastic time studying abroad in Japan at prestigious Universities, Keio University and Waseda University. They got to dive deep within the Japanese culture and learn new things, all while representing BEST and Shidler. Let’s take a peek at what they had to say about their experiences:
Sarah Fusato
Q: Why did you decide to study abroad in Japan?
A: Growing up, I’ve always wanted to visit Japan but I never got to go as a kid. After learning Japanese in high school, I was finally able to go and after that trip, it became my dream to study abroad there in college.
Q: What did you like about Japan?
A: The food is great of course, but also just the overall convenience of public transportation and the variety of things to do in a huge city. I especially liked traveling and went to places such as Hokkaido, Kamakura, and Kanazawa.
Jimwell Baja
Q: Why did you decide to study abroad in Japan?
A: Japan is a country with a rich history and culture. I enjoy Japanese foods, culture, and media which is why I wanted to explore what the country had to offer. My main motivation for studying abroad in Japan was to immerse myself in a culture that was completely out of the ordinary for me as I am not Japanese nor do I speak the language so I thought it would be an interesting fun and learning experience.
Q: How is Japan similar or different to Hawaii?
A: Japan and its culture are often intertwined with Hawai'i from the similar cuisine, prominent shrines and/or traditions and even linguistics. I think the values of Japanese people and the people of Hawai'i are very similar.
Jenny Kojima
Q: Why did you decide to study abroad in Japan?
A: I decided to study abroad in Japan, because I love visiting the country and exploring more and more each time I visit! This was the first time I had stayed in Japan for a long period of time, so it was such a great experience to just go with the flow and be in the moment.
Q: What was your favorite memory abroad?
A: My favorite memory abroad was going to Hakone with 4 fellow BESTies for a weekend trip! We did a lot of sightseeing, like taking a cable car up Owakudani volcanic valley and riding a pirate ship through Lake Ashi, and we even got to eat wagyu yakiniku!
Jessica Matsuda
Q: Why did you decide to study abroad in Japan?
A: I decided to study in Japan because it provides an exciting opportunity to immerse myself in Japanese culture and experience unique travel and cuisine. It has also been a dream of mine since high school to live there.
Q: What UH program did you go with and how did they prepare you for study abroad?
A: I studied abroad through MIX, which has various resources on their website to prepare for departure. They also provide detailed instructions on preparing for your country through their emails and pre-departure orientations.
Alyssa Williams
Q: Why did you decide to study abroad in Japan?
A: I wanted to go somewhere new, and with Japan's super convenient transportation system, delicious food, and safety it was the best choice for me
Q: What advice do you have for students who are interested in studying abroad?
A: I recommend looking for travel scholarships early on. Also, don't let fear hold you back from new experiences, I was so nervous before going, but it ended up being the absolute highlight of my college experience!