Mata ne, Japan - SJMC Japan

Why SJMC Japan and what I looked forward to in the program

Travel has always been an experience that transcends simply visiting a new place, and traveling to Japan was more than I could have ever imagined. Since childhood, I’ve dreamed of experiencing more of the world than I am familiar with: more cultures, customs, languages and ways of life.

I had the TXST Education Abroad Fair marked on my calendar for weeks during the first semester of my freshman year. Going in, I never imagined the amount of countries available to choose from when deciding which was the perfect fit for me. SJMC Japan immediately caught my eye, even though I was not a student in the School of Journalism and Mass Communication at the time. Despite this, I signed up.

The SJMC Japan program offered to immerse every student in numerous once-in-a-lifetime opportunities, and while looking forward to it, I decided to switch my major from business to advertising. This coincidentally put me in the School of Journalism and Mass Communication. Making this decision instantly enthralled me with the world of travel writing and mobile storytelling, which exponentially deepened my understanding of turning firsthand experiences into multiple forms of media. Not only did it strengthen my academic performance, but it also deepened my understanding of myself as a person.

Every meeting the SJMC Japan group had in preparation for the trip fueled my desire to research what to do, what to buy and even what to wear. However, I realized it wasn’t the shopping, souvenirs, or even the sightseeing that became the most valuable thing I took away from traveling in Japan. It was something that could never fit into my suitcase: a newfound perspective.

Saying “Mata ne, Japan” (see you later in Japanese) remains my last words to Japan, because I hope to return one day carrying with me the perspective I have now.

My favorite and most interesting experiences in Japan

The SJMC Japan program introduced me to experiences I never would have had in the same way if I had traveled independently. Visiting the Kyoto Shimbun News printing factory is one excursion I won’t forget. Not only was it most likely a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for me, but it also allowed me, other students and faculty to see how the company prints and distributes its newspapers.

Although kimono renting has become a popular activity for tourists visiting Japan, we had the amazing opportunity to participate in tea ceremony while wearing kimonos in Kyoto. This was definitely a top 10 experience for me because we got to wear kimonos from a beautiful selection while learning how to make and drink real matcha tea. This extremely elevated my experience in Japan by immersing me in the culture, not just seeing it.

Along with visiting breathtaking shrines and temples and touring landmarks on the SJMC Japan itinerary, wandering the streets of Tokyo, Hiroshima and Kyoto with my new friends from the program were my favorite. Walking through neighborhoods and exploring downtown Tokyo, Hiroshima and Kyoto with no plan in mind, seeing how people lived their daily lives, was an experience that broadened my perspective tremendously.

What I learned both academically and personally

As someone who had never made a social media reel or blog post in my life, I found myself having to learn as I went. Not only was I developing an eye for content creation in every street, building and landscape, but I was also learning to put it all together while actively on the go. This is something I believe will shape the way I handle my professional career in the future, for the best.

I originally saw writing exactly as I did in my creative writing and high school English classes, with little to no critique, but when writing journalism, I quickly learned that the two types of writing are not quite the same. Through each detail, there must be specific thought behind it and not a word wasted. The grammar and formatting must be a particular way, and I believe I am a more experienced writer than before as a result.

Surrounding myself with so much at once was something I wasn’t too familiar with on such an immersive level. So many fellow students with broad skill sets, from aspiring journalists to digital creators, taught me to see things through a different lens.

When the writing and content creation during daily excursions ended, I often felt myself leaning towards a nap, but when would the next opportunity to visit Japan be? The obvious option in my head was to see as much of the city as possible, so I did. One of the qualities of Japan I admire the most is how something interesting is always around the corner, and it’s hard to know when to stop exploring. However, understanding when to rest was a very important lesson I had to learn the hard way in some cases.

Something of great importance to me that I wish I told myself more often is to take a moment to stop. Overbooking myself on occasions of free time was something I took part in, when a casual stroll through a shopping street with no intended destination might have been more up my alley. Despite this, I wouldn’t change a thing about the memories I made with so many amazing people in an incredible place.

What’s next for the future?

This experience meant everything to me as someone who has always yearned to travel. Looking back, I realize that if I were to take this trip all over again, I would get to experience everything again through a new perspective. I’d notice the cultural differences immediately and appreciate historical landmarks, thanks to the details taught in this program.

Now, the ability to connect across cultures is more meaningful than ever, especially through forms of media. SJMC Japan has made it clear to me that understanding different cultures is just as crucial as understanding people. Navigating unfamiliar customs and communicating across language barriers challenged me to embrace a part of my independence I didn’t have before. I will forever be grateful for the side of Japan that brought me out of my comfort zone.

“Mata ne, Japan” does not represent a goodbye for me, but a see you later. It symbolizes a promise to come back someday with a new perspective, richer insight, deeper appreciation and greater curiosity about what more Japan has to offer.