Tag Archives: Japan

Alex Osorio

MAJOR: English/Creative Writing

PROGRAM: SJSU Exchange – Kyushu University, Japan

EMAIL: alexander.osorio@sjsu.edu

BIO: My decision to study abroad was mainly influenced by my interest in Japanese culture and media, and wanting to learn at a deeper level by completely immersing myself in it. It is also, of course, related to my minor in Japanese

LEADER, VOLUNTEER, OR JOB EXPERIENCES: I was in the Boy Scouts of America for eight years, being elected to serve as Patrol Leader for two years and Instructor for another two—both of which involved coordinating group activities and providing mentorship and education to younger scouts. We worked numerous hours of local community service and on many other related projects. Achieved the rank of Eagle Scout on May 2021.

GOALS: To benefit my pursuit in writing, one of my main reasons for studying abroad was to expand my perspective on the world. I also have a great interest in Japanese history and literature and wanted to take time studying it. Besides this, I hoped that living in a foreign country for nearly one year would greatly impact me on a personal level and change the way I see things in American society and culture, something which turned out to be absolutely true.

Cherry blossom festival at Maizuru Park in Fukuoka

ACADEMICS: I enrolled in a mix of Japanese culture and Japanese language courses, the latter of which I placed the bulk of my focus on due to my minor in Japanese. However, the university I chose did not have a wide variety of humanities courses, so I was unable to continue pursuing units for my major in English while abroad.

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT: Like I described earlier, I think living in another country has given me new insight into my own home culture. How Japan treats things such as health insurance and public transportation, for example. But also the differences in society, being more focused on the collective rather than our straight individualism. I think there is much to be learned from each other and we can mutually benefit from continued cultural exchange (exchange is, of course, a two-way thing).

CAREER: I think I have greatly enhanced my social and networking skills and can now more efficiently communicate with people from a wide variety of different cultures. It takes a lot to be accommodating of people’s differences on a cultural and individual level and I think that this environment was the perfect way to gain some experience.

PERSONAL GROWTH: I would say that my experience studying abroad has helped me cultivate a much stronger sense of independence and responsibility, and reflect on myself and my own experiences in a way that I think I could not have otherwise. I have made strides in opening myself up to people and pushing myself outside of my comfort zone. Without this I firmly believe that I would not have grown as much as a person.

FUTURE: Studying abroad in Japan has given me firsthand experience with learning a new language, which I believe will be invaluable if I do decide to pursue teaching English in the country. In addition, as a writer this has offered me a great deal of rich and interesting personal experiences from which to pull from.

TIPS: If you do decide to study abroad, don’t be afraid to jump straight in and get involved at the start. It took me a few months to really start getting to know people and get involved with campus activities and I think that closed a lot of doors for me. Everyone will be in a similar situation, so keep in mind that you won’t be the only one feeling a bit overwhelmed and that there will be people to support you and guide you.

Kai Lim

Kai Lim

MAJOR: Business Admin/International Business

PROGRAM: SJSU Exchange – Sophia University, Japan

EMAIL: kai.lim@sjsu.edu

BIO: As someone who was born in Tokyo and has family over there, I share a strong connection with the city and Japan overall. I want to pursue a career in international business, which may involve long-term travel and interaction with diverse groups of people. Thus, I felt Tokyo to be a more than suitable location for my study abroad.

LEADER, VOLUNTEER, OR JOB EXPERIENCES: I have had two internships and two jobs, one in Tokyo! I was also the Service chair for my fraternity right before I left for exchange. Now I am the Alumni Relations chair for the same fraternity.

GOALS: I was hoping to be more immersed in Tokyo, to experience the life of being a student in Japan. I wanted to explore as many facets of Japan as I could. I was immersed in the fashion, the trendy areas, the local areas, food, nightlife, and general lifestyle. I wanted to make friends from all over, so that when I do further traveling in my own time, I can have points of contact during my travels. The goal was to make lifelong friends, and experience new experiences in Tokyo with them.

Yukata day at Sophia University. We boarded the booze cruise soon after

ACADEMICS: I would say the academics in Japan are easier, as their system has it so that middle and high school are intense, while university is more relaxed (much to the opposite of the United States).I did not want to take a heavy course load so that I can enjoy my time in Japan as much as I could, which I achieved. I even took another Japanese class, which met 5 days a week. I could have taken 2 business classes but I chose Japanese due to myself wanting further immersion.

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT: It makes me understand more that while every culture has different behaviors and mindsets, people are people at the end of the day. A German likes to party as much as a Brazilian, and a Japanese student likes to hang out and go to cafes like any other American, The world seems so different and vast, but we really are similar.

CAREER: I understood what mannerisms + behaviors are applicable to most people globally. I can just about converse with anyone from many different backgrounds. I figured out how to maintain global friendships.

PERSONAL GROWTH: So much of myself changed due to the study abroad program. I became more social than ever, and living on your own in a different country makes you a more independent individual. Creating friendships from scratch.

IDENTITIES: Being Asian American, especially half Japanese is an interesting dynamic in Japan. In Japan, to be truly Japanese, you need to be a part of the culture, to have grown inside it and understand the niche jokes of the generations.

FUTURE: It helped me a lot with independence and connecting.

TIPS: Talk to as much people as possible. DO Live in a share house with MANY other people. CONGREGATE in the lounge to make friends, and SAY YES to spontaneous adventures.

 

Ryan Huynh

Ryan Huynh

MAJOR: Business Admin/Business Analytics

PROGRAM: SJSU Exchange – Okayama University, Japan

EMAIL: ryan.huynh02@sjsu.edu

BIO: I chose to study abroad for a variety of reasons. One of my main reasons for choosing to do this program was that I wanted to explore the world and do some soul searching in a sense. Doing things like living by myself, paying bills, and going to classes. Plus I get to learn how a country, such as Japan, operates and learn how to traverse it. Another reason why I choose to study abroad is that its been a life dream to study abroad in either a different state or country

LEADER, VOLUNTEER, OR JOB EXPERIENCES: I’ve done a lot of traveling and volunteer projects which I would say greatly contributed to my leadership abilities. I’ve taken a class where we spent a weekend participating and helping the locals perform the Tottori, Misasa festival. During the festival we would help the locals with each and every part of the preparation of the festival. Such as, preparing the driftwood, making “ties”, and assisting fellow participants with what to do in order to finish the preparations of the festival in time. For traveling with friends I would be the main person figuring out how to get to a certain destination. My friends would give me places they wanted to go to and I would be the one to figure how and when to go. For example, the address, which train to take, how long, etc.

GOALS: My main goal for studying abroad was learning how the country of Japan operates, both in the city and in the rural parts of Japan. Which I think now I have a very good understanding of the history, culture, and why its the way it currently is. Another goal they I’m really glad I learned was how to learn and adapt to visiting/living in another country. Since I’ve never lived in another country, outside of USA, for very long I wondered if I would have been able to adapt.

At a shrine in Kyoto

ACADEMICS: Extremely different compared to how academics works in USA, in Japan the first term is rather easy. With many holiday breaks and 3 day weekends. However, their is no break between 1st and 2nd term plus the pacing of the classes drastically changed. Instead of one chapter per week it was more like 1 chapter every 2 days. The main courses I took was introduction to Japanese 1, Reading and writing 1, and Comparative politics for both terms, except for Comparative politics which I only took for 1 term.

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT: My experience has greatly impacted my perspectives of the world because of all the connections I made with people from Burmese, Europe, Korea, and Japan. I have a completely different view of the world compared to when I only really lived in the states. Like their are so many benefits that countries such as Japan or Poland that we Americans have to pay for, but at the same time there are many things that at least for me living in Silicon Valley that I’m really grateful for. Such as the power of the USD and very high minimum wages compared to the rest of the world.

CAREER: One of the main skills I learned during my study abroad experience is how to plan. For example, when planning a trip to Osaka, Tokyo, etc. in order for efficient use of time and Maximum fun.

PERSONAL GROWTH: The biggest impact that this experience had on me was a combination of finding what I wanted to do with my life and making meaningful connections with people abroad. Living by myself and making new friends have really made me realize what I am capable of and what I would like my future to look like.

IDENTITIES: Being an mainly international student really changed the way Japanese people would approach me. First I have a tattoo so its one of 2 things; I’m either a yakuza member or a foreigner so Japanese people find it hard to approach me.

FUTURE: Studying abroad has prepared to meeting new people from all over the world, regardless of gender, race, religion, or nationality. Plus I’ve learned how to travel into a completely new country and figuring out how to navigate any particular country with minimal issues.

TIPS: I would advise future Global Spartans to take a chance, it might be the best choice of your life. But do balance between School work and Having fun.

Jaime Elepano

Jaime Elepano

MAJOR: Software Engineering

PROGRAM: SJSU Exchange – Kyushu University, Japan

EMAIL: manueljaime.elepano@sjsu.edu

BIO: I’m a 5th Year Software Engineering Major who also does a lot of work in education/mentorship, working as a swim coach and a tutor with Peer Connections. In the early stages I explored studying abroad due to curiosity, partly because a friend at the time has told me about a similar experience. I’d always been interested in immersing myself in Japanese culture as more than a tourist and this was a prime opportunity to do so while keeping up with academics. As my program approached, I’d also hit a point in my life where I began to stagnate and so I used my opportunity to study abroad to reset and regain my passion for learning and exploration.

LEADER, VOLUNTEER, OR JOB EXPERIENCES: As mentioned prior, I’ve worked various jobs in mentorship and guidance. I’ve worked for 2 years as a Swim Coach with Pacifica Sea Lions Swim Club, am in my 4th semester working with SJSU Peer Connections as a Peer Educator, and also worked with SJSU Research Foundation in the Kyushu University ELEP Program as a conversation partner. I also had the role of a Martial Arts Instructor at Shaolin Kenpo Karate for over 5 years where I worked with students ranging from as young as age 5 to as old as 60. I can confidently say I have diverse experience in a leadership role, both in a volunteer and professional capacity, working with people of various age ranges (Often College Age) as well as various cultural backgrounds.

GOALS: Once again echoing previous responses, my primary goal was shift of perspective. Both to help with my stagnation, as well as break out of my cultural bubble, I wanted to truly immerse myself in a new culture: speak the native language, converse with natives and explore their ways of thinking, adapt to a new way of life. I can say that my experience was truly eye opening as I not only learned about another culture, but deepened my appreciation for my own native and ethnic culture (American and Filipino respectively). By speaking to Japanese natives, I both heard their stories as well as gained insight from their perspective on my home cultures, allowing me to more intentionally evaluate my viewpoints. Furthermore, I gained additional insight speaking to international students from other cultures, some I never expected to experience!

I biked the Shimanami Kaido Cycling Road, a 75 km route connecting the main Japanese Island of Honshu (at Onomichi, Hiroshima) to Shikoku (at Imabari, Ehime)

ACADEMICS: Due to language restrictions, my class selection was quite limited. I studied in the Department of Interdisciplinary Science and Innovation. I was able to explore subjects outside my primary major and it’s inspired some interesting ideas for future projects. In terms of strategies, the classes, due to meeting less and having content divided into more separate classes, I actually found my workload to be much lighter. If anything, it reinforced my confidence in the amount of experience I’ve accrued to this point. Because of this, I decided I wouldn’t settle for complacency and went above and beyond in my classwork, even working on some side projects to implement some of what I learned and enhance my experience abroad. In the past few days starting back with SJSU classes, this desire to go above and beyond has stuck with me as I’ve become even more focused and motivated to succeed in this last year. Beyond my academics, I’ve been hard at work to improve one of the on-campus clubs I am currently a part of. It’s been tiring work, but I’m proud of the progress I’ve made in this short time.

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT: I’d say the most significant impact of my immersion has been my perspective on international relations. As mentioned, I have a newfound appreciation for both my home country here in the US, as well as my ethnic culture of the Philippines. Before now, I’d never had a huge interest in travelling, but now I want to visit a number of other countries, not to see sights, but see how their people live. From the standards of service, to the way people communicate, the stark differences between Japan and the US became clear to me. I also heard similar insights from my fellow international students from Germany, Thailand and Hong Kong, making me curious to visit these countries and gain firsthand experiences with these nuanced cultural differences.

CAREER: As my workload was much lighter, I was able to more intently reflect and plan. I got back into journaling and meticulous scheduling that revolved daily action items as well as daily reflections. The impact this had on my mood and my productivity was night and day and I hope to carry this over to my last year at SJSU. I also have a new sense of self confidence and independence. I went on numerous solo trips to other cities and constantly found myself spontaneously trying new things and making mistakes along the way. Rather than discouraging me, I found myself wanting to go on more adventures. The allure of the unknown awakened a sense of curiosity within me making want to constantly try new things and go on new adventures, despite the bumps along the road. Now I’m this new semester, when faced with a choice to settle for the comfortable option or try a new, uncertain option, I almost always choose the latter, relishing the chance for a new experience.

PERSONAL GROWTH: Almost everyone who’s welcomed me back has commented on how much “brighter” I am. As mentioned before, I have a new sense of confidence, with the difference from before my term abroad being so significant, many can see it from my face alone. A lot of the specifics have been covered in previous sections, but essentially, my self confidence has improved, as well as my appreciation for everyday life and new experiences. I find myself more inclined to throw caution to the wind in return for new insights and knowledge, we well as more motivated to strive for greater heights, both academically and personally.

IDENTITIES: In my last year, I haven’t done much in terms of my career (applying to internships and the like) due to other circumstances and have also felt inferior to many of my colleagues. Seeing how my skills contributed to the work I did abroad, as well as having the time and space to reflect on myself and my life in the present moment reinforced just how much experience I truly have, and helped reestablish that personal confidence in myself.

FUTURE:  As I’ve mentioned many times already, my self confidence has been greatly improved. I feel this is the first step to many opportunities. On that note, my newfound curiosity I feel will also open many more avenues, making me more inclined to not let good opportunities slip by in favor or staying within a comfort zone. Finally, my desire to learn more and more will certainly make me a better person both personally and professionally, allowing for more growth that the already significant development that I’ve already gained up to this point.

TIPS:  As I’ve mentioned many times already, my self confidence has been greatly improved. I feel this is the first step to many opportunities. On that note, my newfound curiosity I feel will also open many more avenues, making me more inclined to not let good opportunities slip by in favor or staying within a comfort zone. Finally, my desire to learn more and more will certainly make me a better person both personally and professionally, allowing for more growth that the already significant development that I’ve already gained up to this point.

Mikhail Benitez

Mikhail Benitez

MAJOR: Business Admin/International Business

PROGRAM: SJSU Exchange – Sophia University, Japan

EMAIL: mikhailhumphrey.benitez@sjsu.edu

BIO: Hi, I’m Mikhail Benitez, and I spent a year studying abroad at Sophia University in Japan. I decided to take on this challenge to immerse myself in a culture that had always intrigued me. Although I had always been fascinated by Japan, living there never seemed like a real possibility – especially since I had never even visited the country before. When I discovered SJSU’s study abroad program, I knew it was the perfect opportunity to experience life in Japan firsthand. It would push me out of my comfort zone, help me grow personally, and allow me to form connections with people from around the world. That’s why I chose to study abroad.

LEADER, VOLUNTEER, OR JOB EXPERIENCES: I’ve never been in any leadership roles but I’ve done a bit of community service before. The only job experience I’ve had is a part-time barista job.

GOALS: My goals for studying abroad were to grow personally and to immerse myself in a new culture. Looking back, I feel accomplished both. I became more confident and greatly improved my self-efficacy. I also learned to be more social, forming friendships with people I never expected. Studying abroad also pushed me to step outside my comfort zone and helped me become more independent. I learned to explore Tokyo alone, to handle paying my bills on time, and solving problems that arise.

A photo I took while surfing in Chiba with friends. The waves were bigger than I expected.

ACADEMICS: I was enrolled in a Japanese language class and business classes, and while the experience was rewarding overall, the first few days were challenging. One of the key challenges of studying abroad is managing your time effectively. I had to find a balance between studying for my courses and making time to explore Tokyo with friends. I didn’t want to spend all my time studying, but I also didn’t want to neglect my academic responsibilities. To stay on track, I wrote down everything I needed to do and carefully managed my time. This approach had a significant positive impact on my academics, allowing me to succeed in my classes while still enjoying my time in Tokyo.

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT: My study abroad experience significantly broadened my perspective of the world. Immersing myself in the culture of my host country gave me a deeper appreciation for its traditions, values, and way of life. By participating in cultural events and taking language classes at my host university, I connected with the local community and gained insight into everyday life that I wouldn’t have learned as a tourist. Meeting other international students was also a great experience. Learning about their home countries, their customs, and their unique experiences opened my eyes to the diversity of the world. The interaction I had with them motivated me to travel more and explore other cultures firsthand. It was through these conversations that I realized just how small my perspective of the world has been. Studying abroad helped me understand that there is so much more to learn and experience beyond my own familiar surroundings, and it fuels my curiosity to continue broadening my worldview.

CAREER: My study abroad experience significantly broadened my perspective of the world. Immersing myself in the culture of my host country gave me a deeper appreciation for its traditions, values, and way of life. By participating in cultural events and taking language classes at my host university, I connected with the local community and gained insight into everyday life that I wouldn’t have learned as a tourist.

Meeting other international students was also a great experience. Learning about their home countries, their customs, and their unique experiences opened my eyes to the diversity of the world. The interaction I had with them motivated me to travel more and explore other cultures firsthand. It was through these conversations that I realized just how small my perspective of the world has been. Studying abroad helped me understand that there is so much more to learn and experience beyond my own familiar surroundings, and it fuels my curiosity to continue broadening my worldview.

PERSONAL GROWTH: Studying in Japan had a big impact on me, especially in building my confidence. Naturally, I’m a shy and quiet person, and approaching others to introduce myself was something I rarely did. I struggled with low self-confidence and self-efficacy, though I wasn’t sure why. Before leaving for Japan, I made it a goal to work on that. While there, I faced situations that were challenging and uncomfortable. In the past, I would have avoided them, but those experiences ultimately helped me grow. Reflecting on it now, I feel that I made all the right choices, and I returned more confident than when I left.

FUTURE: My experience abroad has equipped me to handle challenging situations more effectively. Moving to a foreign country can feel overwhelming, with so much new information coming at you all at once. During my first few days in Tokyo, I faced several struggles – figuring out how to get an IC card, learning how to navigate buses and trains, and adjusting to living alone in a foreign country. It was intimidating, but it forced me to adapt and grow.

TIPS: My advice to future Global Spartans is to step out of your comfort zone and embrace the challenges that may seem intimidating. Studying abroad is an incredible opportunity for personal growth, as well as for creating lifelong memories with new friends. Don’t hesitate to put yourself out there and fully enjoy the experience. Many of the students I met were initially shy, but by the end of their time abroad, they had gained confidence and were thriving in Japan. So, be bold. Approach your study abroad journey with the goal of having no regrets when its over and you won’t be disappointed.

Hratch Momjian

Hratch Momjian

MAJOR: Mechanical Engineering
PROGRAM: SJSU Exchange – Kyushu University – Fukuoka, Japan
EMAIL: hratch.momjian@sjsu.edu

BIO: My name is Hratch Momjian and I am currently a 3rd year mechanical engineering major at SJSU. I’m a first generation Armenian-American, who always liked sharing my cultural differences with others. Furthermore, I also really enjoy talking to people with all kinds of different backgrounds and cultural experiences. If I speak to someone with an English accent I typically ask where they’re from because I enjoy hearing their stories and how they got to their current situation. Because of this, I really wanted to go and study abroad as I would be in a place where I am surrounded by people who have lived completely different lives from me.

GOALS: My goals when studying abroad were to make friends, study in a different environment and, most importantly, step outside of my comfort zone. Throughout my life I have stayed within my comfort zone where I feel best in and would always feel uneasy if I had to do something outside of it. Studying abroad would definitely throw me way outside of my comfort zone and force me to become a much more adaptable person. Being adaptable in any situation helps in networking and general problem solving. Being able to stay calm and collected during a rough time, whether that be in school, work or personal life, allows me to execute what I would like to do most effectively.

PERSONAL GROWTH: I think there are two ways that I grew as a person: self-sufficiency and sociability. Before going abroad I felt as if I was never a sociable person. I never was really able to connect with people who I was not already friends with. Most of my friends at home were also people who were similar to me and talking with them would be much easier. However, after going abroad I think my sociability has improved greatly. I feel much more confident to go out and actually speak with people who are not like me. My self-sufficiency has also improved as I no longer feel that I always need to be surrounded by people to be happy. Before coming to Japan, going outside and doing things alone was never an option. I would always ask friends if they wanted to go with me and if they didn’t say yes, I would simply not go out. However, I now feel much better about doing things I want to do even if I don’t have anyone accompanying me.

ACADEMICS: How would you describe your academic experience abroad? I took seven upper division engineering courses which made my academic experience quite difficult. However, I don’t believe that it was because the courses themselves were difficult but the method of studying was different to ours at SJSU. In Japan, the professor did a lot more of lecturing than actually giving out and reviewing homework assignments. Furthermore, they had an expectation that the students would not only study the given material but also do self studying on their own. Now this isn’t necessarily a bad thing, it was just a different way of doing it. The students are on their own much more. When coming back to SJSU I feel much better about studying on my own now as before I would just rely on the professor to give out the assignment and teach. I am more self-reliant than before thus making me more confident to do well in a class where the professor might not be the best.

CAREER: What skills did you learn / sharpen during your study abroad experience? I think I definitely sharpened my ability to connect with people that I had never met before and are completely different from me. When you go out and try to get jobs, you are inevitably going to be talking with people who are nothing like you. Having the ability to connect and positively impact each other has proven to be a great skill to have as other people will enjoy being around you. Going abroad sharpened this skill for me and made me feel much more confident going into job interviews and making a better first impression which will lead to a higher success rate of landing jobs.

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT: How has your immersion impacted your perspectives on the world? After going abroad I think I am much more appreciative of what my parents have done to get my family and I to comfortably live in America. Hearing the stories of other exchange students and international students, I understand how lucky I am that I grew up in America without needing to move back and forth between different places. A lot of the other students ended up studying in multiple different international schools in different countries, moving two or three times in their lives. I don’t think I ever really understood how difficult that makes life for them: making lifelong friends is harder, opening up to others is harder and simply getting comfortable is harder.

FUTURE: How has study abroad prepared you for your future? Studying abroad has prepared me for the future by enhancing my social skills. I believe that I am much more comfortable with speaking to new people who have immensely different backgrounds compared to me. When I am going to be in job interviews, the interviewers are going to be people who are not my age nor have any of the life experiences that I would be able to relate to. However, after going abroad I feel like I will be able to relate and connect with these people much more easily thus helping me land more jobs. Everyone I speak to in my life is not going to be friends that have done the same things I’ve done, eaten the same things I’ve eaten, played the same games I have and after going abroad, conversing with these people will no longer be a problem for me.

TIPS: What advice would you give to future Global Spartans? I would say: “Don’t hole up in your room. You don’t get this opportunity often so I don’t think it would be smart to hole up and not do anything when you have all these options and chances to do so many different things. Try and make new friends there, and try not to rely on your friends at home for social communication. If you are staying for a semester or two, having friends abroad will make your life more interesting and fun while you’re away, all while keeping you from feeling any sense of loneliness. Having people to hang out with makes you forget about home and helps get you through those days where you miss home and want to go back, which I assure happens to everyone. Furthermore these friends that you make abroad will be awesome people to know especially if you decide to come back and visit again. Lastly, making friends builds your communication and social skills that will help you in the future with job applications and career events. Go out there and have some fun! Don’t hold back!”

Katherine Huang

NAME: Katherine Huang
MAJOR: Business Administration/Marketing
PROGRAM: ISEP Tokyo National University
EMAIL: katherineh885@gmail.com

BIO: Please tell us about you and why you chose to study abroad.

I’m Katherine Huang, and I studied in Japan in Fall 2022 as a third year business marketing major. I came to SJSU the fall of 2020 when life was heavily impacted by Covid-19. My first two years of university were compromised due to the pandemic. Going into my third year, I was set on taking opportunities whenever I could. After talking to a few friends about their amazing experiences abroad, I only grew more excited. Eventually, I chose Japan, because I have always been intrigued by their culture, such as their food, car scene, cultural festivals, public transportation, nature/national parks, etc. I wanted to put myself in an unfamiliar environment to see what I’m capable of and to challenge myself to grow. Spoiler alert: I grew. A lot. And now I have precious memories of my time abroad. It was a lot of work, but I don’t regret any of it. I would do it all again in a heartbeat! It was truly one of the best choices I ever made for myself.

CAREER: What skills did you learn/sharpen during your study abroad experience?

Reflect on how your study abroad experience and the skills, knowledge, or networking has enhanced or contributed to your life back on campus or home.

I was placed in an environment that pushed me to grow my soft skills. The saying is true: You get out what you put in. Once you’re abroad, you have to put yourself out there and take risks. I was nervous about making friends and building a community with people so different from me. I didn’t want to miss out though, so I took opportunities to talk to people in the dorms, in class, around campus, and even when I ran into them at the train station. I was able to meet people from all walks of life—people from other cities, states, and countries. We still keep in touch, and there’s a mutual understanding that we’ll be there to help each other if we’re ever in the same area.

Additionally, I still keep in touch with a professor! We bonded over a shared passion for Japanese sports cars, and he introduced me to another student who showed me around the local car scene. Being able to talk and network is a skill that I was able to hone, and it is arguably one of the most important skills for marketing majors. Now, I feel much more comfortable and confident initiating conversations.

GOALS: What were your goals for studying abroad?

Reflect on the personal, academic, and professional goals that you had set out to achieve on your study abroad experience?

Personally, I wanted to branch out and meet new people. I was looking forward to a different pace of life and connecting with a new community. I didn’t just learn about Japanese culture, I met people who taught me all about their cultures and countries. It was a beautiful bonding experience meeting people and celebrating our differences just as much as similarities.

Academic-wise, I was excited about being on a completely new campus with new faces, new professors, new faculty, and courses that aren’t available at SJSU. For example, I was able to learn about Japan’s culture and society. Not only was this course fun, but it was also very helpful. I plan on working in Japan in the future, so learning about the culture was insightful.

Regarding professional goals, I was interested in observing Japan’s work culture first hand. There is no doubt that the work ethic in that country is well known, and I wanted to experience it and become inspired. Before I went abroad, I felt pretty burnt out in a lot of areas, including with my career. My goal was to come back to the states with renewed vigor, ready to give 100% to my career and education.

PERSONAL GROWTH: What was the biggest impact that your study abroad experience had on you?

I truly feel like I came back wiser and braver. Being abroad pushed me to be fearless and spontaneous. I’m graduating next spring, and the reality of adulthood is starting to set in. The unknown is daunting, but I feel brave enough to face it. Japan started off as completely new, unexplored territory for me, but within four months, I was calling it home. My experience in Japan has taught me that I’m capable of much more than I had ever imagined.

I also have a newfound gratitude for things in the US that weren’t in Japan. For example, drive thrus! And In-n-Out. Costco $1.50 hot dogs. And ranch!!! I missed ranch so much. It’s my favorite sauce. In all seriousness though, I really do appreciate everything I have now.

ACADEMICS: How would you describe your academic experience abroad?

Share what courses you chose to take abroad and the strategies you used to ensure your academic success. How has the experience impacted your academics now that you have returned to SJSU?

I took four courses: Leadership, Creativity, and Organizational Renewal; Japanese Society, Social Media and Business; Business Communication and Productivity. First and foremost, I made friends in class. Having friends can help hold you accountable and incentivize you to come to class. Moreover, being familiar with classmates can make group projects much more smooth and enjoyable.

I also made sure I was recognizable to professors. I participated, asked questions, talked to them after class, and built a relationship with them. Establishing a connection with professors is imperative to academic success. It’s easier to ask for help when you’re familiar with your teachers.

Now that I’m back at SJSU, I still strive to be present and engaged in class for my peers and professors.

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT: How has your immersion impacted your perspectives on the world?

Studying abroad helped me discover a happiness I’ve never known before. Despite this experience being for me, I didn’t feel like the main character—and that’s a good thing! It felt so freeing to decentralize myself; it made my worries feel much smaller. I was more intent on learning about other people and other cultures; learning more about myself was just a byproduct of the process. Every individual I met is so unique and has a story that has impacted me. I am a mosaic of everyone I met; I carry little pieces of them with me.

Since coming back, I still keep that open mind and eagerness to learn about others. It’s amazing how much you can absorb when you listen more and talk less. Going abroad has humbled me and reminded me that I’m a student of life above all else. The vast world has so much to offer, and there’s always opportunities to learn and grow if you’re willing to look and listen.

FUTURE: How has study abroad prepared you for your future?

I’ve always been in a rush to grow up and reach the next milestone, but being abroad has taught me to really slow down and smell the roses. Not having a car in Japan meant I had to walk most places, and although I didn’t like it at first, I grew to enjoy it. Walking allowed me to take the whole world in, soak up the sun’s warmth, and appreciate the journey.

I also grew more conscious about financials, and financial literacy is such an important skill for adulthood. Being abroad made me aware about currency exchange rates, my spending/saving habits, how much I’m willing to pay for experiences versus material items, and more.

TIPS: What advice would you give to a future Global Spartan?

Take a leap of faith. If you are on the fence, just go for it. You have a community of people who will support you and welcome you with open arms, whether that’s Study Abroad Alumni, SJSU faculty, host university faculty, host families, the local community, other students, etc. You are never alone in your endeavors, and you have so many resources available to you! Put in the work, and your efforts will come to fruition. I hope you study abroad; it’s truly a one-of-a-kind experience.

Alexey Kolechkin

Alexey Kolechkin

Alexey Kolechkin
Major: Finance
Term Abroad: Fall 2022 and Spring 2023
Program / Location: SJSU Exchange Sophia University, Tokyo Japan
IG: @alexey.kolechkin

Why did you want to study abroad? 
I’ve been interested in Japanese culture ever since taking Japanese language classes in high school, so I wanted to experience living in Japan firsthand, improve my language abilities, and meet lots of new people.

What has been your most surprising, positive, or challenging experience abroad?
Realizing how much money I’ve been spending, which is ironic considering that living in Japan is fairly cheap right now since the dollar is so strong compared to the yen. But since I go out a lot, whether it’s exploring/traveling or shopping or just hanging out with friends, I end up spending a lot of money on experiences. It’s not something I regret, since thankfully I have enough savings to cover it and I’m making lots of great memories, but it is something I will have to keep in check later on.

Any advice to potential study abroad students?
Seek growth and learning through discomfort. Living abroad for an extended period of time can be scary and challenging, but it’s one of the best opportunities for growth and self-development that you will ever have in your life, so take advantage of it and go somewhere exciting!

How are you managing your academic success abroad during the pandemic?
I minimized the amount of classes I’m taking so that I could put more focus on each one while dealing with the challenges of studying abroad. There is almost always something new that pops up that I have to deal with, or exciting experiences or events that I want to participate in, so I realized I had to take a lighter course load to have time for everything and still be able to succeed academically, as well as succeed in my other goals.

What are some ways that you are interacting with the local community ?
I’ve made friends with several Japanese students and they’ve shown me around different parts of Tokyo and taken me to places like restaurants, bars, karaoke, observatories, shrines, and temples. Having local connections really helps to better integrate with the local community because they show me how to act, speak, and what is considered acceptable and not acceptable.

What are some tips for managing your health and safety while traveling during the pandemic?
Take the normal precautions as you would anywhere else; wear a mask, wash your hands, try to avoid crowds if you can, and make smart choices