I learned about the SJMC Japan program when I attended a TXST Campus Creators meeting. It was the first general meeting of the semester and the faculty adviser of the club was Sara Shields. She introduced us to the program and showed us clips of previous students’ work. After seeing her presentation, I was immediately intrigued.
Apart from being in Japan, the program was the perfect fit for me as a public relations major. The content in the travel writing class and the social media class contain all the skills I will need in the public relations field.
I have been wanting to study abroad since my freshman year of college. But because of the cost, I thought it would not be possible. I attended a TXST study abroad information session and learned about all the scholarships and financial aid that is given to students to support the costs.
After learning about the financial help I could receive, I immediately applied to as many scholarships and financial aid applications as I could find. I also started to pick up more shifts at work to save some money. I felt relieved to know I could participate in this program, so I was determined to have enough money to fund the trip.
I applied as soon as the application opened, and the anticipation began. I immediately looked up TikToks and YouTube videos on must-see sites for first time visitors in Japan. I was excited to be in a new country with other students who were just as eager to be a part of this program.
After being on a flight that felt like forever, I finally arrived in Japan. I was overwhelmed at first, navigating a foreign train system, hearing little to no English and having very short deadlines for assignments. I was scared that I might not be able to handle everything.
But as time went on, I realized that I am capable of doing hard things. I learned to write notes as events were happening and making sure to take good photos and videos for Instagram. I remembered to walk on the left side, to never eat and walk and to always put cash on the tray instead of in the cashier’s hands.
My favorite experience was the tea ceremony. Getting dressed in the kimono was an impactful part of the ceremony. A staff member helped us get dressed and seeing how each part of the kimono came together was fascinating. It made me feel like royalty.
Learning about the specific techniques and traditions of a tea ceremony was also very special. We learned about Ichigo Ichie, which means a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. The ceremony will not happen in the same way or with the same people again. That phrase solidified what the study abroad experience felt like to me.
Kyoto had to be my favorite city. It was where the old meets the new, the epitome of Japanese culture. The Kiyomizu-dera Temple was a great example of this. The ancient temple towered over the bustling city of Kyoto. The traditional architecture hidden in the mountains contrasted with the skyscrapers in the background. Being surrounded by nature and the traditional architecture made it a serene experience. Visiting temples and shires was exciting for me because I am a huge history buff.
Our visit to Doshisha Women’s College was one of my favorite excursions. I was excited to talk to Japanese students and see how their everyday lives compared to our own at Texas State. We first took a tour of the campus, and students explained what each building was used for. It was very interesting to compare their buildings, like the dining hall, and see what food they served.
After touring campus, we joined more Doshisha students in a classroom. We separated into groups and began an activity where Texas State students asked Doshisha students a series of questions and vice versa. I learned that we had a lot more similarities than differences. We all enjoyed listening to K-Pop, going out with friends at coffee shops and watching sports. Before leaving, I gifted the students spicy Beaver Nuggets and chocolate-covered pecans. It was amazing to see how much they enjoyed some of the most beloved Texan snacks.
I extended my trip and spent two days in Osaka and three days in Seoul, South Korea. While I only spent 1 day alone in Osaka, I enjoyed exploring the city on my own. Being able to see everything at my own pace was very freeing. In Seoul, I spent time with fellow SJMC Japan students Faith Williams and Christina Saenz. It was cool to see the differences and similarities between Japanese and Korean cultures.
I learned a lot about myself during this trip. I am normally a huge procrastinator when it comes to my assignments. But with the short deadlines, I made it a habit to complete my assignments early.
Since our assignments were to inform American audiences, I learned to write about the most important information in a concise manner. This skill is essential for public relations because I must be able to condense information and include what is most important for things like press releases and news stories.
I plan to use the work I’ve done to showcase my well-rounded skills. I have strengthened my media writing skills and my social media skills. I have learned how important storytelling is for both media writing and social media.
As a first-generation student, I never thought that traveling, let alone studying abroad, would be possible. Ever since I was a little girl, I have always dreamed of traveling the world and getting to experience other cultures. Japan was the country that was on the top of my list. I can now say that I have finally accomplished my goal.
This experience is something that I will remember for the rest of my life. I gained new friendships and have seen things that I never thought I would see. I am grateful to have been a part of this study abroad trip.
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