Summer in Japan: Japan Then and Now : Reviews (Hiroshima)
The following program review responses have been selected for publication by Study Abroad & Global Engagement
Rate Your Study Abroad Program!
Drew Kocour,
Summer 2017 Participant
My host family was the highlight of this trip. They were incredibly hospitable, and very kind. I legitimately feel like I now have a second family in Japan, and I can't wait till I get to see them again.
Summer 2019 Participant
My favorite part was when we traveled around to Kyoto and Osaka. Just being in the city made it feel like we were truly experiencing the "Now" of the program.
Summer 2019 Participant
My favorite part of the program was traveling to Hakone and soaking in a traditional Japanese onsen.
Summer 2019 Participant
Participating in the Japan Then and Now program, I got to see many different culturally and historically important sites in Japan. It was amazing getting to visit everywhere, and be told about the history on site while there!
Summer 2019 Participant
The Kyoto and Osaka tour was by far the best part of this program. It was educational and interesting, while showing real places we've learned about in real-time. It also had the most intriguing areas and was overall had the best locations.
Madison Marie Curry,
Summer 2016 Participant
One of the most rewarding experiences was visiting a zen temple and participating in meditation. It has made a lasting impact on me back home, and I have continued using some techniques taught.
Holden Ann Zimmerman,
Summer 2016 Participant
I found the homestay experience especially rewarding because I felt that I really was able to experience Japanese culture and the relationships that I made with my host family members will stay with me forever.
Drew Kocour,
Summer 2017 Participant
The most rewarding portion of the program, I think, was speaking Japanese with students of Kanagawa University and my host family. It was great to see that all my studies in Japanese language had bore great fruit, and my host family and the students appreciated it immensely.
Isaac Andrew Brown,
Summer 2018 Participant
Having a host family was incredibly rewarding. It gave us a chance to immerse ourselves more fully into the culture and language of Japan--something we wouldn't have been able to do as fully had we not had a host family. If nothing else, it took away any anxiety about where to start and basically forced us to go for it.
Summer 2018 Participant
Most rewarding was definitely the interactions with the people in Japan, especially the homestay experience. Everyone was so lovely and welcoming, it couldn't have been any better.
Summer 2019 Participant
I found my home stay to be a very rewarding experience, as I got to experience every-day Japanese life with my wonderful host parents as well as practice my Japanese.
Madison Marie Curry,
Summer 2016 Participant
I learned how to be more humble and able to sit back and enjoy what's around me through japanese societal habits. You can also have a better understanding of your own culture once you view another's.
Holden Ann Zimmerman,
Summer 2016 Participant
I learned a lot about myself, a lot about Japanese history and literature, but most important I learned what living in Japan is really like.
Drew Kocour,
Summer 2017 Participant
We're all just citizens of the world. Other countries may seem vastly different when looking at them from afar, but once you live in and/or spend time in that country, you do not truly know how life is there. You may find that other countries are actually quite similar to your own, or at the very least find them personally appealing, when beforehand you had held a more than different view. It is my personal opinion that every student should study abroad at least once in their life, because it is a truly necessary experience.
Summer 2019 Participant
The best thing to do with this program is to not get swamped with the work. Dr. Childs is really flexible with the workload due dates because she knows that it's more important to be out and about, exploring the country, instead of being stuck in your room doing homework.