Posted inFeatured
Meet the SJMC Japan 2024 Team!
I’m thrilled to introduce the SJMC Japan 2024 Team! Digital Media Innovation Lecturer Sara Shields and I are taking 16 undergraduate students and two graduate students on a content-making tour…
Posted in2023 Daily Blog Posts Featured
SJMC Japan Team presents work on Friday
Now that all members of the SJMC Japan Team have returned home to Texas safely, they are gearing up for final presentation day, and you’re invited! Students will share their…
Posted in2023 Daily Blog Posts
またね! Mata ne!
The SJMC Japan Team says goodbye to Japan as the students make their way back to Texas, their pets and, of course, Whataburger.
Posted in2023 Daily Blog Posts
Waving goodbye to Kyoto
As we bid farewell to Kyoto, the SJMC Japan Team visited one last shrine, Fushimi Inari, before taking the bullet train back to Tokyo to spend our last evening together. …
Posted in2023 Daily Blog Posts
A royal day in Kyoto
Day eight was a decadent experience for the team. We visited the Kyoto Imperial Palace, Nijo Castle and attended a traditional tea ceremony before attending our official farewell dinner. Impressive…
Posted in2023 Daily Blog Posts
A front-page newsworthy day
The second day in Kyoto found Texas State students at a Japanese newspaper, a monkey park, and the famous Gion area.
Posted in2023 Daily Blog Posts
Good morning, Kyoto!
Day six of the SJMC Japan team's trip found them at Kiyomizudera Temple, Yasaka Shrine and the geisha district of Gion.
Posted in2023 Daily Blog Posts
Time’s up in Tokyo, fast train to Kyoto
On day five of the SJMC Japan team's trip, they went to Time Out Tokyo, rode the bullet train and explored Kyoto.
Posted in2023 Daily Blog Posts
Tokyo drift: adventures in Kamakura
Day four in Tokyo led students to visit the Great Buddha, shopping and dining in Kamakura, and Goshuin stamps!
Posted in2023 Daily Blog Posts
Day three in Tokyo: meet, greet and stay safe
SJMC students walk into Rikkyo University in Tokyo. Day three left SJMC Japan team full of smiles, food and safety tips for the days to come in Japan. The team…
Posted in2023 Daily Blog Posts
Tokyo tales: an iconic day two
The second full day called the Texas State School of Journalism and Mass Communication students to several iconic Tokyo sights. Our group took an engaging tour of Tokyo Tower, heard…
Posted in2023 Daily Blog Posts
Day one in Tokyo leaves us full and satisfied
The Texas State School of Journalism and Mass Communication Japan team wraps up day one in Tokyo 2023. Here's what the group did on their first full day.
Posted in2023 Daily Blog Posts
A first night in Tokyo like no other
Nearly everyone in our group has now made it to Japan safe and sound, and the first night is in the books. It was a night of new food, new…
Posted in2023 Daily Blog Posts
Airplane food making a comeback
After leaving behind friends, family, and beloved pets, the SJMC Japan team began their long-awaited journey. Eight of the 14 members all met at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport. For the majority…
Posted in2023 Daily Blog Posts
‘All my bags are packed, I’m ready to go’
The Texas State University School of Journalism and Mass Communication's trip to Japan is imminent. Here's a look at how the participating students are preparing for the journey.
Posted inIntroductions
Introducing the SJMC Japan 2023 Team!
I'm excited to introduce the SJMC Japan Team 2023! These are the students who are accompanying Jon Zmikly and me to Japan in June 2023. They'll write daily blog posts…
Posted in2023 Daily Blog Posts Featured
SJMC Japan 2023 wraps up an unforgettable trip
13 undergraduate students. One graduate instructional assistant. Two faculty members. 11 memorable days in Tokyo, Kamakura and Kyoto. 13 daily blog posts written by students. 13 mini-documentaries. 54 feature stories…
Posted inMultimedia
Gonzalez’s 360° and promotional videos highlight program’s media and cultural visits
As a graduate student and graduate instructional assistant, Jamie Gonzalez had graduate-level work and assignments. You can read about her role -- and what she learned -- in her professional…
Posted inMultimedia
Mini-docs explore facets of Japan and the program
Along with daily blog posts, feature stories, personal essays, and Instagram posts, reels and stories, SJMC Japan Team members crafted mini-documentaries about a specific aspect of their experiences. All videos…
Posted inPersonal Essay
A taste of Japan: how I sampled the culture and cuisine
I spent my first 30 minutes in Tokyo quietly crying in the Tokyo International Airport. The start of my journey at the Austin-Bergstrom International Airport on June 6, 2023. Prior…
Posted inPersonal Essay
A professional discovery: finding a new part of me
My mother has spent the last 30 years of her life as a teacher, molding the minds of the youth. My only explanation for how she has survived this career path is that she is a superhuman, à la The Flash, or Wonder Woman.
Posted inPersonal Essay
An emotional trip
To be completely honest, I didn’t know how I felt about going to Japan. As someone who’s been interested in various aspects of East Asian culture nearly my whole life,…
Posted inPersonal Essay
A journey through Japan
Why was I interested in the Japan program? I wanted to be apart of the study abroad program to revisit and explore more of what Japan has to offer than…
Posted inPersonal Essay
Experiencing a new nation
It had been an established want of mine to travel to Japan. My attention was caught by the appeal of its beautiful cityscapes, rich cultural heritage and delicious cuisine. Among…
Posted inPersonal Essay
A soulful journey
In a world teeming with nearly 8 billion people, it’s easy to feel lost and disoriented. We spend our lives searching for meaning amidst vague symbols and attempting to discover…
