I thoroughly enjoyed my time in Japan. Spending that time with both Japanese (Shimane) University students and MSU students was a real treat.

My favorite part of the program was interacting with the Shimane students. This was my first time being in a non-English speaking country, and it was a bit of a challenge at first to interact and socialize with the Shimane students. But I persevered, and definitely learned more from them than I would have otherwise. Being able to ask questions about the country and/or culture to a local can be a rarity, and I learned a lot from it, including some Japanese.

I’d say that the biggest thing I learned (or rather, improved) was my ability to socialize with people. Prior to this program, I wouldn’t have considered myself very good at socializing. However, being forced to communicate with individuals whose native language isn’t English (and doing so quite well, I thought) has made me reconsider this claim. It’s funny what a foreign environment can do to a person; get them out of their comfort zone and they become completely new people. This study abroad program has reinforced that realization: that the labels we put on ourselves are often self-imposed. We can achieve, and become, so much greater if we put our minds to it; sometimes it just requires a little push.

Exploring different countries and cultures is a wonderful thing. It allows one to expand themselves as a person. To see that the world is so much bigger than it may seem, and to see how differently other people think and interact. It may even make someone question their own culture. Why do we think this way? Why do we do these things? It’s not something one might think about in their home, but being abroad can make one question.

I’m very glad I went on this study abroad to Japan; I’d like to re-visit Japan at some point. I’d highly recommend any study abroad program, as they do wonders for personal (as well as career and academic) development.

Name: Miles Clifford
Status: Senior
Major: Biochemistry
Hometown: Clio, Michigan
Program: A Day in the Life of Japan